Monitoring soil health and carbon is key to cutting land-based emissions, but is complex and expensive. Downforce, based in the UK, uses remote sensing to cost-effectively measure soil carbon without the need to go on site.

Downforce says the technology can help farmers, landowners and corporations unlock revenue opportunities. Downforce offers tools to deliver nature-based carbon projects, soil health interventions and farm emissions data.

Nature-based solutions

The financing round, led by climate tech VC Equator, will support Downforce’s expansion in Africa. The company’s software platform “should act as a catalyst for increased investment in soil organic carbon globally, particularly in Africa,” says Equator’s Nijhad Jamal.

Other investors in the round include Tiverton Agriculture Impact Fund, Dragonfly Enviro Capital, Perivoli Innovations and Virescent Ventures-managed Clean Energy Finance Corporation.