In a significant stride towards sustainable agriculture, Cotierra, a Swiss-Colombian carbon removal and agtech startup, has successfully secured $1 million in a pre-seed funding round.
The investment, led by a consortium of climate-focused investors including Partners in Clime, Carbon Removal Partners, Carbon Drawdown Initiative, and Climate Founders, among others, marks a major milestone for the company’s mission to decarbonize coffee farming.
The funding injection is earmarked to bolster Cotierra’s decentralized biochar production for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) efforts, particularly focusing on its innovative biochar reactor technology and Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system in Colombia.
Cotierra’s pioneering approach revolves around providing tailor-made biochar solutions designed specifically for the unique circumstances prevalent in developing countries. By converting coffee plant residues into biochar and returning it to the farms, Cotierra effectively sequesters carbon in the soil for extended periods, simultaneously enhancing soil health and agricultural productivity.
Notably, this decentralized model proves ideal for the intricate networks of small farms characteristic of coffee supply chains. It not only reduces transportation costs but also circumvents competition for centralized biomass resources.
Through its innovative methodology, Cotierra empowers coffee companies and agricultural stakeholders to mitigate their carbon footprint and fortify the climate resilience of their supply chains. Moreover, it enables farmers to capitalize on the generation of high-quality carbon credits.
Thomas Käslin, CEO and Co-Founder of Cotierra, expressed optimism about the company’s trajectory, stating, “Our significant traction within the coffee value chain highlights the urgent demand for our decentralized biochar approach.” He added, “This funding will not only accelerate the development of our technology to fulfill said demand but also enable us to demonstrate the tangible and measurable benefits of our approach on the ground in Colombia – from reducing and removing emissions to enhancing soil health and farmer profitability.”
As Cotierra continues to forge ahead with its innovative solutions, this funding round underscores the growing recognition and support for sustainable practices within the agricultural sector. With its pioneering efforts, Cotierra is poised to make a meaningful impact on the intersection of climate action and agricultural sustainability.
