Backing a Farmer-Built Future: GrownBy Launches Equity Crowdfunding Campaign
Backing a Farmer-Built Future: GrownBy Launches Equity Crowdfunding Campaign
At Place Partners, we look for investments that generate more than just financial return — we look for founders and ventures that create lasting value in the communities they serve. That’s why we’re excited to share the upcoming launch of GrownBy’s Preferred Equity Crowdfunding Campaign, which went live on Wefunder on April 24th at 9:00 AM ET.
Led by a team of farmer-founders, GrownBy is a technology platform designed to help small farms thrive in the modern economy. By providing e-commerce tools that connect customers directly with local food producers, GrownBy is strengthening food systems, improving access to fresh food, and supporting the long-term resilience of independent agriculture.
A Platform with Deep Roots — and Scalable Potential
GrownBy was introduced to us through our regional partner network of other Entrepreneurship Support Organizations, and we’ve seen the impact of their work with farms and food entrepreneurs throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond. Their tech is farmer-built, values-aligned, and already in use by dozens of producers — demonstrating real traction in a complex, underserved market.
This raise is focused on expanding access to ownership. While institutional capital has an important role to play, the campaign is designed to welcome smaller investments from customers, farmers, and community supporters. It’s an opportunity for the people who believe in GrownBy’s mission to become true stakeholders in its future.
Strategic Support from Mission-Aligned Institutions
We’re encouraged by the early support GrownBy has already received. The American Heart Association has contributed to the raise off-platform and offered a public endorsement — signaling a growing recognition of the vital link between local food systems and public health.
This first stage of the campaign aims to reach a $50K milestone, at which point WeFunder will begin promoting the raise more widely. GrownBy is also welcoming strategic feedback and outreach from investors and ecosystem partners who can help amplify the campaign in its early days.
Why It Matters to Us
At Place Partners, we believe in investing in the future of place — and that includes the systems that feed us, sustain us, and connect us to one another. GrownBy exemplifies the kind of founder-led innovation we seek to champion: locally grounded, community-powered, and designed for long-term systems change.
We encourage our network to take a look at the campaign and consider supporting in whatever way feels right — whether through an investment, a referral, or simply by helping spread the word.
Let’s continue to invest in the people and ideas building stronger communities — from the ground up.
