About Us

Our Purpose

We believe in a future where food is grown by people you know and love. We believe that food can be healthy, safe, and grown in ways that are less harmful to the environment than conventional agriculture – all at once. We believe that with the right knowledge of modern growing techniques and business practices, local farmers can play an important role in the growing local food economy. And we love educating and empowering them to make that happen.

What We Do

Upstart University empowers you to pursue purposeful work in the growing local food economy.

We equip you with high quality education including:

Online and downloadable courses
Ebooks & guides
Calculators, checklists & other tools

We unite you with other growers, experts and local-food advocates through:

Our engaging Facebook community
Online forums
Live events

Who We Are

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In 2014, Upstart University was founded by Bright Agrotech, the developer of ZipGrow™ vertical farming technology. Plenty acquired Bright Agrotech in 2017, carrying forward the mission to improve the food system.

Upstart University continues as a scrappy and creative team working hard to develop the best platform and content for growers. Through our diversity in backgrounds, we are united to create a better food system and are glad to have the opportunity to do so with Upstart University.

Interested in current opportunities with Plenty? See current and future opportunities.

Current Opportunities

Meet the Team

HALLE BRAKE

Director of Upstart University

MIA LAUENROTH

Upstart University Content & Research

CLINT ROBINSON

Graphic Design Coordinator

AMY STOREY

Content Coordinator & Course Author

NATE STOREY

Chairman and Chief Science Officer

CHRIS MICHAEL

Marketing Director & Course Author

ELESIF SMITH

Sales Director & Course Author

PERRY BAPTISTA

Operations & Course Author

Our Partners

Upstart University works with farmers, industry experts, ag tech companies, and coalitions that share our values to bring you as much quality information as possible. Meet the folks who are helping pave the way for an improved agricultural system.