Baltic climate tech startup Arbonics powers up expansion with five new faces

Arbonics has been expanding rapidly since it launched in 2022, with the goal of protecting biodiversity, with data-driven forestry solutions. In simple terms, it merges cutting-edge technology with ecology expertise to help landowners calculate an area’s potential for carbon sequestration - the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide. These landowners can then earn an income from carbon credits bought by investors.

Now the Tallinn-based startup has announced a string of new hires, cementing its growth plans. These include new country managers in both Sweden and Lithuania.

Johan Junker, a Swedish serial entrepreneur with a background in film production and sports branding takes on the first of these roles. On LinkedIn the company says he’s been selected for his “strong track record in product development.” “As a landowner himself, he is passionate about creating real business opportunities for landowners and helping them strengthen the long-term value of their forests,” the post adds.

Deividas Strumila will lead Arbonics' team in Lithuania. He has experience in state forest management and a master's degree in forestry. "We are excited to have him on board,” writes Arbonics on LinkedIn.

In addition, a new Customer Impact Lead, Ella Käi, will join the team in Estonia (highlighted on LinkedIn for being “a proud dog mum with a background spanning sales, support, and leadership.”) Christoffer Andersson has been brought in as sales development representative in Sweden, and Axel Karlsson joins as the firm’s new Account Executive for Sweden.

Arbonics secured a €5.5M ($5.7M) seed round in late 2023, led by NordicNinja VC (a Japanese-backed fund), tech founders' investment platform Plural, and Czech impact investor Tilia Impact Ventures. According to figures from Invest Estonia, the country's official investment promotion agency Arbonics has, in total, raised over €7.3M ($7.6M) since 2022.

The startup uses multiple data sources – from ground sensors to satellites – to calculate carbon capture potential of land across Europe. According to the company’s website they have already worked with more than 4,000 landowners to analyse over 200,000 hectares of land and plant over four million trees.

Arbonics' expansion comes as the forest carbon-tech space heats up across Europe. Finnish startup Compensate runs a similar platform for forest owners, while Germany's TreeTrust is working with landowners to develop carbon projects.