Berlin-based CEEZER, a prominent player in the carbon credit market, has successfully closed its Series A funding round, raising €10.3 million. HV Capital led the funding round, with participation from existing investors Norrsken VC, Picus Capital, and Carbon Removal Partners. The funds will be utilised to expand the startup’s presence in the US, strengthen its team, and introduce innovative carbon portfolio financing solutions.
Those who are not familiar with the company, CEEZER is a digital platform providing companies with easy, secure, and direct access to high-quality projects from the entire voluntary carbon market.
Pioneering a data-centric approach to carbon credits
CEEZER’s mission to enhance transparency and accessibility within the carbon market takes a significant step forward with the latest funding injection. Founder and CEO Magnus Drewelies emphasises the importance of extending its global footprint to enable more companies to manage their carbon credit portfolios efficiently and deliver on ambitious climate strategies.
Addressing challenges in the carbon market
Navigating the complexities of carbon removal and reduction is a daunting task for many companies. The selection and purchase of the right credits to meet emission targets face challenges such as varied standards, inconsistent credit quality data, and significant price differences. The company aims to tackle these challenges by providing companies with a professional toolkit for managing carbon credit portfolios.
The unique offerings of CEEZER’s platform
As the only platform harmonising the global carbon market for both buyers and sellers, CEEZER ensures easy, secure, and direct access to high-quality projects. Utilising over 3.5 million data points and employing scientific, AI-driven, and peer-reviewed methodologies, the platform clarifies quality, risk, and impact differences among projects. This approach simplifies decision-making for businesses, demystifying the purchase process.
Building trust and partnerships
Having earned trust and partnerships among industry leaders, CEEZER serves over 50 corporate customers, including Siemens and Zooplus. Collaborating with more than 150 project developers, the startup is actively contributing to driving superior climate finance solutions and working towards the goals of a net-zero economy.
Investor perspectives on CEEZER’s impact
David Kuczek, General Partner at HV Capital, emphasises that CEEZER is at the forefront of architecting key infrastructure for the voluntary carbon market. Leveraging a data-centric and holistic approach, they have become the prime platform for corporate carbon buyers seeking high-impact portfolio compensation solutions.
Oliver Heinrich, Partner at Picus Capital, expresses pride in doubling down on their collaboration with CEEZER, highlighting the platform’s role in unlocking negative emissions at scale.
Tove Larsson, General Partner at Norrsken VC, underscores CEEZER’s leadership and impact in the voluntary carbon market, emphasising their commitment to supporting the team as they enhance transparency and accessibility within the sector.
Challenges and opportunities in the carbon credit market
Despite ongoing commitments to ESG (environmental, social, and governance) initiatives, the current economic climate presents challenges for some companies, potentially leading to increased scrutiny of large climate mitigation investments. Additionally, delays in policy development regarding carbon removal and other mitigation strategies create complexities for buyers of negative emissions.
This company’s funding strategy is flexible and adaptable, allowing for future equity investment to accelerate specific areas of focus as needed. They differentiate themselves from traditional resellers and consultancies by offering an enterprise-grade, technology-driven solution for understanding the carbon credit market, assessing risk, and simplifying purchase and management processes. This approach aims to maximise impact while mitigating risks for sustainability teams.
With a current team of 35 in Berlin and New York, the company plans to use part of their recent funding to expand both their project developer and impact teams, as well as roles focused on working with enterprises. This expansion suggests their intention to further establish themselves as a leading player in the carbon credit market.
In conclusion, CEEZER’s successful Series A funding round not only positions the company for significant growth but also underscores the increasing importance of data-centric solutions in the voluntary carbon market. As companies worldwide strive to meet ambitious climate goals, CEEZER’s innovative platform is poised to play a crucial role in driving transparency and efficiency in carbon credit transactions.
