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Though the AVA Byte unit is small—essentially a sleek, high-tech 18-inch-long planter box—the high-tech concept could have a sizeable global environmental impact.
TAKE A BYTE Written by ABBY BEACH : Photographed by CLINTON HUSSEY
STACY KENDALL
IMAGINE BEING ABLE TO GROW FOOD ANYWHERE BY JUST PUSHING A BUTTON. That sounds like a scene in a futur-
“We envision a future where nature and technology meet halfway.” —VALERIE SONG, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, AVA BYTE
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istic film, but it will soon be a reality thanks to Vancouver-based startup AVA Byte—the producer of automated, self-watering indoor smart gardens and the winner of GRAY’s 2017 Pitch Tank competition at IDS Vancouver. Co-founded by sales and brand manager Valerie Song, former chef Chase Ando, and urban futurist Mike Nasseri, AVA Byte is both a reaction and a solution to the global realities of population increase, climate change, and urbanization, all of which make it difficult for farmers to meet the ever-growing demand for food. “Eventually, we aim to reduce the plastic packaging used for herbs at grocery stores, cut down on the amount of unused and thrown-out greens at restaurants, and eliminate pesticides from the empowered consumer’s diet,” says Song. AVA Byte comes equipped with soil-free, ready-togrow pods that hold seeds, food, and plant-based growing material. The machine’s sensors monitor the indoor environment, maintain water levels with a drought-proof hydration system, and adjust conditions to accelerate the garden’s growth and development; as a result, plants can grow up to three times as fast in AVA Byte as in a traditional garden. AVA Byte is also iOS and Android compatible, which lets users track their gardens’ development, vitals, and water supply via app. With plans for larger sister units—the Megabyte, Gigabyte, and Cannabyte—already underway, 2018 looks to be a year of rapid growth indeed. h