166: AI Revolution in Greenhouses: Dima Chernobilsky & GrowDirector’s Game-Changing Tech

Vertical Farming Podcast - Conversations with CEOs, Founders & Leaders in AgTech & CEA

Are you struggling to optimize your greenhouse operations and maximize crop yields? I recently spoke with Dima Chernobilsky, co-founder and CEO of GrowDirector, who shared groundbreaking insights on greenhouse automation and the future of controlled environment agriculture.

Dima's journey from finance to agriculture is a testament to the power of curiosity and perseverance. With a background spanning real estate, business development, and agriculture in various parts of the world, Dima brings a unique perspective to the field of greenhouse automation. His company, GrowDirector, has evolved through four generations of technology, each iteration addressing specific challenges in the industry.

The conversation centered on GrowDirector's innovative approach to greenhouse automation. Dima explained how their wireless, modular, and scalable system provides growers with unprecedented control and flexibility. The latest generation of their technology offers future-proof scalability, allowing growers to expand their capabilities without significant additional investment.

We also explored the role of AI in agriculture, discussing GrowDirector's AI-powered features such as predictive analytics and agronomic advice. Dima shared insights on the challenges of vertical farming, the importance of crop selection, and the need for patience as technology continues to evolve. His advice for the industry emphasized the importance of careful planning and adaptability in the face of rapid technological change.

If you're interested in the cutting edge of greenhouse technology and want to learn how AI is revolutionizing agriculture, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to hear Dima's fascinating journey and gain valuable insights that could transform your approach to controlled environment agriculture.

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Key Takeaways

5:18 Evolution of GrowDirector's product generations

10:03 Challenges faced by greenhouses and indoor farms

14:36 AI integration in greenhouse management

29:57 Lessons learned in hiring and leadership

35:38 Future goals for GrowDirector's growth

Tweetable Quotes

"We are the god in the greenhouse. We control all of your equipment automatically. Our AI can even predict problems which are coming into the greenhouse and change the rules with your permission."

"Hire slow, fire fast. I do think this is the thing because every time I gave a second chance it didn't work for me."

"Be very picky about what you do. Not everything you can grow, you can sell, and not everything you can sell you can make money from. Finally you need to make money because you need to feed yourself, your family, and sometimes also get money to your investors."

Resources Mentioned

Website - www.growdirector.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimacher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@growdirector8723

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growdirectorltd

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growdirectoragri/

X - https://x.com/DirectorGrow

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Mentioned in this episode:

2025 US Indoor Farm Report

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