Arash Amini is an Iranian-American entrepreneur and writer who has been deeply involved in the vertical farming industry since its early days. Born and raised in the upper-middle-class suburbs of Chicago, Amini's journey began with a passionate commitment to addressing climate change. Despite facing academic challenges in his youth, he transformed himself into a dedicated student, eventually earning a degree in physics from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in 2010. Amini's fascination with complex problems and a desire to "save the world" led him to explore innovative solutions, which ultimately drew him to vertical farming. He founded and operated several vertical aquaponic farms, including one of the first commercial ventures of its kind. His work involved designing systems, navigating regulatory hurdles, and advocating for industry standards. Amini played a key role in developing regulations that allowed institutional capital to enter the vertical farming space, contributing to its national scaling. Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Amini is a reflective and philosophical individual with a wide range of interests, including physics, Eastern mysticism, and societal issues. He is candid about his personal struggles, including financial difficulties, mental health challenges, and the emotional toll of pursuing ambitious goals. His writing blends personal anecdotes with sharp observations about the industry, technology, and the human condition. "Failing Upward" is his memoir, detailing his experiences, triumphs, and failures at the dawn of vertical farming.