Rooftop gardens may be next big idea at Microsoft
May 25, 2012, 10:50 AM | Updated: May 27, 2012, 7:49 am
A new type of business may be literally sprouting up at Microsoft’s Redmond campus.
According to GeekWire, a company called UrbanHarvest plans to build a massive greenhouse on top of one of the company’s parking garages.
“UrbanHarvest is working with Microsoft to evaluate the feasibility of rooftop farming on the Redmond campus. We are analyzing several different options of farm size and location to see if there is a potential fit,” says co-founder Chris Bajuk.
The company, started by University of Washington MBA students Chris Shepard and Chris Bajuk, won the University’s annual business plan competition on May 24th.
The plan would be ideal for Microsoft. The crops would be harvested on the roof and go straight to company cafeterias. Currently, Microsoft produce is sourced from a location in California.
An urban farm would be able to provide fresher, locally sourced foods all year that could go straight to cafeterias downstairs.
Especially as health care costs rise, many companies are encouraging workers to life healthier lifestyles and to get preventative care. Eating fresh, healthy food and lots of vegetables, which UrbanHarvest hopes to provide, could help further this goal at Microsoft.
In all, UrbanHarvest estimates the rooftop venture would cost about $1 million if the city of Redmond approves the necessary permits to get started.
Bajuk says that winning the $25,000 prize at the business plan competition will help UrbanHarvest get started.
If approved, the farm will be built this year and will start producing food for Microsoft early next year.
