Summary:
1. Veritree, a climate tech startup based in Vancouver, secured $6.5 million in new funding and aims to plant 100 million trees worldwide within five years.
2. The company uses blockchain technology to track tree planting efforts in various locations, including areas affected by wildfires, mangroves, and agroforestry initiatives.
3. Veritree utilizes a range of tech tools such as satellites, drones, and AI to monitor and analyze the impact of their projects, ensuring data integrity in reporting.
Article:
Veritree, a promising climate tech startup hailing from Vancouver, recently announced a major achievement of securing $6.5 million in new funding. This milestone comes hand in hand with their ambitious goal of planting a whopping 100 million trees across the globe within a span of five years. The company’s focus lies in supporting reforestation efforts in diverse locations, ranging from areas ravaged by wildfires to mangroves and agroforestry projects.
One of the standout features of Veritree’s approach is the utilization of blockchain technology to create a transparent and publicly accessible ledger that documents their tree planting initiatives. Through this innovative system, the company ensures accountability and provides detailed insights into their restoration efforts. Moreover, they have partnered with local organizations in countries like Canada, Haiti, Senegal, and Kenya, among others, to carry out their planting projects effectively.
To monitor the progress and impact of their initiatives, Veritree leverages a suite of cutting-edge tech tools, including satellites, drones, and artificial intelligence. By employing these advanced technologies, the company can conduct surveys, monitor growth, and analyze data with precision. Interestingly, Veritree even incorporates acoustic monitoring of bird songs as an indicator of ecosystem health, showcasing their commitment to holistic environmental stewardship.
The startup’s CEO and co-founder, Derrick Emsley, emphasized the importance of data integrity in reporting for nature-based solutions to scale effectively. Veritree’s innovative approach has garnered the interest of various stakeholders, including corporate entities like Samsung and hotel companies, who have recognized the value of supporting sustainable reforestation efforts.
Veritree’s journey began as a spin-off from its sister company tentree, a sustainable apparel brand known for planting trees for every item sold. The success of tentree’s reforestation platform laid the groundwork for Veritree’s establishment in 2022, marking a significant step forward in the realm of climate tech innovation. With a recent Series A funding round led by Pender Ventures and backed by prominent investors, Veritree is well-positioned to expand its impact and continue driving positive change in the fight against climate change.