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The Awareness Company, or TACo, wants to make sustainability accessible and actionable for businesses. The South Africa-based startup’s internet-connected data collection and analysis software helps businesses measure, monitor and optimize their energy and water usage in real-time.
Early-stage climate tech investors Catalyst Fund and South Africa’s Holocene, alongside NEXT176, E Squared, Aions and Jozi Angels, invested $1.6 million in TACo’s seed round.
“The growth potential for TACo is substantial, given the expanding global focus on sustainability and climate resilience,” said Catalyst Fund in a statement.
The funding will help boost TACo’s AI capabilities, strengthen its sales and marketing and venture into new markets.
Smart resource management
In a survey of businesses, TACo found that 90% struggle with monitoring and reporting their sustainability performance. Software company Sage says just 4% of 16,000 small to medium-sized South African businesses are able to report such performance.
TACo’s Hydra platform collates data from sensors, drones and other sources to deliver AI-based insights to businesses. In farming, for instance, Hydra monitors crop growth, pesticide and fertilizer application, identifies pests and diseases, and maintains financial data.
TACo claims its energy and water monitoring tools helped a hospital save around 950,000 rand ($50,000) per month in utility costs.
