Bringing food-tech to the table
Eating your greens should be fun! We want to spice up your life by being a force of flavor, variety, crunch, color and quality – an all-around positive experience.
ONNA is on a mission to build a more sustainable and transparent food system. Nothing less. Our vertical farms will reduce the environmental burden of food production and increase Nordic food independence in the face of climate change. How do we measure success? When we’ve made healthy produce accessible to all.
The only way is up!
We are farmers. We produce the greenest, crunchiest, flavorfullest, cleanest and freshest salads and herbs out there. It’s how we do it, that really makes the difference.
Well, to start with the obvious one: You won’t find any ONNA-farmers with dirt on their hands. Because we don’t grow our crops in soil, but in a mineral solution. Actually, it’s not really on the ground either. Our salads and herbs are stacked vertically to allow for a smaller area footprint and efficient resource use in our controlled cultivation environments. This makes us able to grow closer to cities, minimize transport from harvest to table – and increase local self-sufficiency. Pretty sweet, huh?
Collective effort (dugnadsånd) is essential to our ethos - it’s why we chose to name ourselves after the farming tradition “onna”.
Eating your greens should be fun! We want to spice up your life by being a force of flavor, variety, crunch, color and quality – an all-around positive experience.
Our products will always be locally produced. By minimizing the journey from our harvest to your belly, we ensure a higher quality and safer product – because who ever enjoyed an old and soggy lettuce?
Our greens have never touched soil or toxic chemicals – only water, light and nutrients. Also, we run a tight ship and a lean operation. Waste is stupid, so we will bust our own balls to make sure we deal with inputs and outputs as smartly as possible. And for your sake, we won’t keep any secrets.
We have our eyes set on a greener, non-compromising future. This pioneering attitude defines us, why we do what we do, and how we do it.
Put shortly, vertical hydroponic systems are an extremely resource efficient cultivation technology. We create the optimal growing environment for leafy greens by controlling and optimizing temperature, light spectrum, CO2, humidity and nutrients. You name it, we’ve got it covered. And since we know exactly what goes into the salads and herbs, we never use pesticides. Ever.
Specifically, hydroponic vertical farming is a controlled system of soilless plant production stacked in vertical layers. Because our plants are farmed indoor in a fully controlled environment, we can regulate and optimize lights, nutrients and the ambient environment in real time – thus facilitating optimal growing conditions for plants throughout their growth cycle.
In addition, our plants are grown in a mineral solution rather than soil – optimizing nutrient uptake and eliminating the need for pesticides. The vertical layout of a farm allows for a smaller areal footprint, enabling our farms to be built in proximity to cities, subsequently increasing local self sufficiency of food and reducing food waste. Pretty sweet, huh?
Specifically, hydroponic vertical farming is a controlled system of soilless plant production stacked in vertical layers. Because our plants are farmed indoor in a fully controlled environment, we can regulate and optimize lights, nutrients and the ambient environment in real time – thus facilitating optimal growing conditions for plants throughout their growth cycle.
In addition, our plants are grown in a mineral solution rather than soil – optimizing nutrient uptake and eliminating the need for pesticides. The vertical layout of a farm allows for a smaller areal footprint, enabling our farms to be built in proximity to cities, subsequently increasing local self sufficiency of food and reducing food waste. Pretty sweet, huh?
The world's food system is a driver of massive negative costs. To our health, environment and economy. In other words; value destruction. We’re just not on board with the endless trade-off’s consumers have to make in the veggie aisle. Why are quality, nutrition, sustainability, price and quantity rarely all on the same page?
ONNA believes that this reinforcing system of negative externalities and consumer compromises is ripe for disruption. We are dedicated to providing an alternative that is better and fairer for all of us. We want to give consumers an actual choice: Between soggy, long-travelled greens that have a negative impact on the world – and fresh, locally-grown salad and herbs. Our first farm will be ready in 2021. The choice is yours.
CEO & co-founder
Kristina believes that innovative commercial solutions will play a leading role in the transition to a more sustainable society. She previously worked for Tesla in Europe, the Middle East and South Korea, and for Oatly in New York. She has significant experience with the disruption of traditional industries, as well as innovation and innovative branding strategies. She has a track record of leadership and scaling business models. Kristina brings a strong international perspective to the team, as well as a deep understanding of global food industry trends. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor and Master in Environmental Sciences from UC Berkeley. She was previously a high-performance athlete for the Norwegian National Rowing Federation and UC Berkeley, and is quite competitive.
Chief Product Officer
Growing up near the North Sea of the Netherlands, Reinier developed a passion for water. Access to fresh water being a human right, he realised it is one of our scarcest resources.After several innovative research positions in the controlled environment agricultural industry, his passion led him to co-founding and becoming the CTO of Sundrop Farms.At Sundrop Farms, he developed, constructed and operated 6 high tech innovative greenhouse projects in Australia, Southern EU, the Middle East, and on the East Coast of the USA.In 2015, Reinier became very excited about the resource use efficiency of Indoor Vertical Farming, and through his private consultancy he started supporting AgTech start-ups and scale-ups in this space.Reinier has a BSc degree in Civil Engineering, and received his MSc degree in International Land & Water Management from the Wageningen University & Research, in the Netherlands.
CCO
Anders is an experienced retail executive with over 20 years of green history from commercial
positions in companies like Bama and Felleskjøpet. He grew up growing berries and vegetables
on his family farm and is educated within Agro- and Greenhouse tech.
Head of People Operations
Iselin is a full-stack HR professional with both operational and strategic competencies. She brings loads of experience in talent acquisition and the vast field of Human Resources from different industries. She holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology and a MSc degree in Organizational Psychology & Leadership. Iselin is passionate about our mission to disrupt the existing food industry by building a better, healthier, fairer and safer one. She handles the nuts and bolts that will make ONNA into a thriving, growing and meaningful workplace for our growing team.
Head of Finance
With background from investment banking as well as audit & assurance services, Tobias brings vast financial knowledge to the table. Bookkeeping, financial modelling, investor meetings… bring it on! Having worked closely with offshore oil & gas for several years, he understands the growth potential in ESG-committed business models, and he is eager to be a part of the global transition towards sustainability.
Chief Agronomist
Olga is the plant whisperer. She is a civil agronomist experienced in urban farming, vertical hydroponics cultivation, and plant and water quality. She was previously the chief agronomist at BySpire and is one of the only agronomists in Norway experienced with commercial vertical farming. Olga studied agronomy in Serbia, as well as plant production at NMBU with a focus on sustainable agricultural systems and innovations within agricultural research.
Technical project manager
Seth brings energy and drive to everything he does, and is motivated by contributing to a more sustainable future. He has a technical background in physics and a diverse skillset, with engineering experience in the energy industry and experience managing a range of high value complex international projects. Building on his early childhood garden, he is very excited to be swapping solar panels for salad!In his free time, he competitively runs, skis and climbs mountains around the world.
Business operations and administration
Audun has professional expertise and deep knowledge of market dynamics within Norwegian agriculture, retail and Horeca. He studied entrepreneurship and innovation of Norwegian food production at NMBU, as well as economics combined with engineering at NTNU. Audun was also the winner of NMBU’s entrepreneurship-prize for urban industrialized farming in 2016.
Communication intern
Martin is a creative and analytical digital marketer bringing several years of experience with product launching, digital strategy, and creative execution of market communication from several previous projects. He is eager to contribute to ONNA as a step towards more sustainable food production. Our newest addition to the team brings an understanding of social media and digital strategy from his ongoing bachelor’s degree in digital communications and marketing at BI Norwegian Business School.
CEO & co-founder
Kristina is a staunch believer that innovative commercial solutions will play a leading role in the transition to a more sustainable society. She previously worked for Tesla in Europe, the Middle East and South Korea, and for Oatly in New York. She has significant experience with the disruption of traditional industries, as well as innovation and innovative branding strategies. She has a track record of leadership and scaling business models. Kristina brings a strong international perspective to the team, as well as a deep understanding of global food industry trends. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor and Master in Environmental Sciences from UC Berkeley. She was previously a high-performance athlete for the Norwegian National Rowing Federation and UC Berkeley, and is quite competitive.
Email: kristina@onnagreens.no
Chief Product Officer
Growing up near the North Sea of the Netherlands, Reinier developed a passion for water. Access to fresh water being a human right, he realised it is one of our scarcest resources. After several innovative research positions in the controlled environment agricultural industry, his passion led him to co-founding and becoming the CTO of Sundrop Farms. At Sundrop Farms, he developed, constructed and operated 6 high tech innovative greenhouse projects in Australia, Southern EU, the Middle East, and on the East Coast of the USA. In 2015, Reinier became very excited about the resource use efficiency of Indoor Vertical Farming, and through his private consultancy he started supporting AgTech start-ups and scale-ups in this space. Reinier has a BSc degree in Civil Engineering, and received his MSc degree in International Land & Water Management from the Wageningen University & Research, in the Netherlands.
Email: reinier@onnagreens.no
CCO
Anders is an experienced retail executive with over 20 years of green history from commercial
positions in companies like Bama and Felleskjøpet. He grew up growing berries and vegetables
on his family farm and is educated within Agro- and Greenhouse tech.
Head of People Operations
Iselin is a full-stack HR professional with both operational and strategic competencies. She brings loads of experience in talent acquisition and the vast field of Human Resources from different industries. She holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology and a MSc degree in Organizational Psychology & Leadership. Iselin is passionate about our mission to disrupt the existing food industry by building a better, healthier, fairer and safer one. Now she's looking forward to handling the nuts and bolts that are going to make ONNA into a thriving, growing and meaningful workplace with the rest of the team.
Email: iselin@onnagreens.no
Head of Finance
With background from investment banking as well as audit & assurance services, Tobias brings vast financial knowledge to the table. Bookkeeping, financial modelling, investor meetings… bring it on! Having worked closely with offshore oil & gas for several years, he understands the growth potential in ESG-committed business models, and he is eager to be a part of the global transition towards sustainability.
Email: tobias@onnagreens.no
Chief Agronomist
Olga is the plant whisperer. She is a civil agronomist experienced in urban farming, vertical hydroponics cultivation, and plant and water quality. She was previously the chief agronomist at BySpire and is one of the only agronomists in Norway experienced with commercial vertical farming. Olga studied agronomy in Serbia, as well as plant production at NMBU with a focus on sustainable agricultural systems and innovations within agricultural research.
Email: olga@onnagreens.no
Technical project manager
Seth brings energy and drive to everything he does, and is motivated by contributing to a more sustainable future. He has a technical background in physics and a diverse skillset, with engineering experience in the energy industry and experience managing a range of high value complex international projects. Building on his early childhood garden, he is very excited to be swapping solar panels for salad!In his free time, he competitively runs, skis and climbs mountains around the world.
Email: seth@onnagreens.no
Operations
Audun has professional expertise and deep knowledge of market dynamics within Norwegian agriculture, retail and Horeca. He studied entrepreneurship and innovation of Norwegian food production at NMBU, as well as economics combined with engineering at NTNU. Audun was also the winner of NMBU’s entrepreneurship-prize for urban industrialized farming in 2016.
Email: audun@onnagreens.no
Communication intern
Martin is a creative and analytical digital marketer bringing several years of experience with product launching, digital strategy, and creative execution of market communication from several previous projects. He is eager to contribute to ONNA as a step towards more sustainable food production. Our newest addition to the team brings an understanding of social media and digital strategy from his ongoing bachelor’s degree in digital communications and marketing at BI Norwegian Business School.
Email: martin@onnagreens.no
Chairman
Are has for the past 18 years held numerous central leadership positions and board seats in Norway’s real estate industry, and he is currently managing director of Norsk Takst.
Board Member
Arnt has extensive experience from Norwegian agriculture and food systems. Currently he manages a company focusing on strategic development, leadership, financial management and digitization. He was the CEO of Gartnerhallen for 17 years, and prior to that he spent 5 years at The Norwegian Crop Research Institute. He has held several board seats in agricultural food business companies. Arnt holds a MSc Agricultural Economics from NMBU.
Board Member
Janne is CEO of Samvirkene. She has 15 years of leadership experience from agriculture, seafoods and technology, and board experience from Vilomix Norge, Blue Lice and Abelia. Janne is an Economist with additional educational experience in leadership and board governance from NHH/Solstrand and IMD.
Board Member
Børge has 18 years of corporate law experience. He is a partner at BSN Advokatfirma ANS and an investor in early stage firms. He has also held several board seats.
Board member
Kristina is currently working as a Business Developer and has +4 years experience as management consultant. In addition to working with Bain/Qvartz Oslo, Kristina has also worked as management consultant in London and Sydney. Kristina holds a MSc Management from Imperial College London and a MSc in Engineering from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
Board member
Arve brings extensive experience from different leadership positions, management consulting, and board positions. He has spent his career within the FMCG industry with 30 years’ experience from Orkla. During his time there, he held several leadership positions within marketing, sales, and innovation at Group level. He also spent 7 years as the CEO of Lilleborg. Arve has played an instrumental part in developing and shaping how Orkla work with marketing and branding today, he has also been a big advocate for Orkla’s increased focus on the digital space. Moreover, he has 10 years’ experience as the Chairman of the Board of ANFO, where he became a strong voice for Norwegian marketeers. Today, Arve runs his own consulting practice, MediaHub, where he focuses on developing a network of Norwegian advertisers and media companies.
Board member
Haakon is currently working as portfolio manager at Rasmussengrupen, a position he has held since 2015. He has more than 25 years of experience as analyst and investment manager at leading financial institutions in Norway. Haakon is actively involved as a board member in a numerous of Rasmussengruppens investments into early stage companies. He holds a MBA in Finance degree from NHH (Norwegian school of Economics).
Chairman
Are has for the past 18 years held numerous central leadership positions and board seats in Norway’s real estate industry, and he is currently managing director of Norsk Takst.
Board Member
Arnt has extensive experience from Norwegian agriculture and food systems. Currently he manages a company focusing on strategic development, leadership, financial management and digitization. He was the CEO of Gartnerhallen for 17 years, and prior to that he spent 5 years at The Norwegian Crop Research Institute. He has held several board seats in agricultural food business companies. Arnt holds a MSc Agricultural Economics from NMBU.
Board Member
Janne is CEO of Samvirkene. She has 15 years of leadership experience from agriculture, seafoods and technology, and board experience from Vilomix Norge, Blue Lice and Abelia. Janne is an Economist with additional educational experience in leadership and board governance from NHH/Solstrand and IMD.
Board Member
Børge has 18 years of corporate law experience. He is a partner at BSN Advokatfirma ANS and an investor in early stage firms. He has also held several board seats.
Board Member
Kristina is currently working as a Business Developer and has +4 years experience as management consultant. In addition to working with Bain/Qvartz Oslo, Kristina has also worked as management consultant in London and Sydney. Kristina holds a MSc Management from Imperial College London and a MSc in Engineering from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
Board Member
Arve brings extensive experience from different leadership positions, management consulting, and board positions. He has spent his career within the FMCG industry with 30 years’ experience from Orkla. During his time there, he held several leadership positions within marketing, sales, and innovation at Group level. He also spent 7 years as the CEO of Lilleborg. Arve has played an instrumental part in developing and shaping how Orkla work with marketing and branding today, he has also been a big advocate for Orkla’s increased focus on the digital space. Moreover, he has 10 years’ experience as the Chairman of the Board of ANFO, where he became a strong voice for Norwegian marketeers. Today, Arve runs his own consulting practice, MediaHub, where he focuses on developing a network of Norwegian advertisers and media companies.
Board Member
Haakon is currently working as portfolio manager at Rasmussengrupen, a position he has held since 2015. He has more than 25 years of experience as analyst and investment manager at leading financial institutions in Norway. Haakon is actively involved as a board member in a numerous of Rasmussengruppens investments into early stage companies. He holds a MBA in Finance degree from NHH (Norwegian school of Economics).
