The rise of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) regulations and increasing pressure from investors, consumers, and stakeholders have made sustainability reporting a business necessity. Companies are turning to ESG software solutions to automate compliance, improve transparency, and drive real impact in reducing emissions and improving sustainability performance.
Cologne-based green tech startup Planted has raised €5 million in seed funding to enhance its AI-powered ESG platform. The investment comes from TechVision Fonds (backed CUREosity and IonKraft), WENVEST Capital, neoteq ventures, AWS Gründungsfonds, and Smart Infrastructure Ventures, alongside business angels including Nina Kani, Felix Schürholz (Co-Founder & MD SoSafe), Frank Piotraschke (CRO SoSafe), Arno Nonnen, and Julius Göllner (ARRtist).
How will it use the investment?
This funding round will enable the company to scale its offering, refine its AI capabilities, and accelerate corporate sustainability transformations. With fresh capital and an experienced team, Planted is set to redefine how businesses approach sustainability. The funding will be used to:
- Expand the AI-driven capabilities of its ESG platform
- Grow its team to meet increasing demand
- Develop new sustainability initiatives that integrate local environmental action
Unique approach to ESG
The ESG software market is saturated with compliance-focused solutions, but Planted stands out by integrating sustainability directly into business operations. Instead of merely helping companies report their emissions, the platform actively supports decarbonisation, often achieving more than 50% emissions reductions for customers.
Planted’s approach also goes beyond internal sustainability measures. Companies using the platform can engage in local environmental protection initiatives, such as reforesting mixed forests. This dual focus on compliance and real-world impact makes Planted a game-changer in ESG software.
Helps businesses save time
Founded in 2021 by Cindy Schüller, Heinrich Rauh, Wilhelm Hammes, and Jan Borchert, the company leverages advanced AI technology to streamline ESG processes. It helps companies meet the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requirements. The platform automates key tasks such as extracting sustainability data from complex documents, identifying emission reduction opportunities, and conducting double materiality analysis to assess risks and opportunities.
By eliminating manual data processing, Planted claims its software can save businesses up to 75% of the time spent on ESG reporting and compliance.
This company is used by over 350 companies in Germany. Planted has grown rapidly, attracting major clients such as Caritasverband Bruchsal, Senacor Technologies AG, and Insta GmbH.
Strengthens leadership for growth
To support its next phase of growth, Julian Grunewald joins as CFO, bringing extensive experience in finance and strategy. He joins CPO Jonas Quilitz, who came on board in early 2023. This expanded leadership team will drive product development, international expansion, and customer acquisition.
Is it game-changer for ESG?
Planted is not just another ESG software provider but a sustainability transformation partner. By automating complex ESG workflows, driving real emission reductions, and integrating local environmental projects, the company is helping businesses move beyond meeting compliance toward genuine sustainable value creation.
As ESG regulations tighten and corporate accountability grows, its AI-powered platform and sustainability approach could reshape how businesses manage their environmental responsibilities, making sustainability not just necessary, but profitable.
“Through smart automation, Planted combines ecological responsibility with economic success – and makes sustainability measurably profitable,” said Dr. Ansgar Schleicher, Managing Partner of TechVision Fonds. “Planted is already supporting over 350 customers in Germany with their sustainability strategy.”
“We are turning the CSRD obligation into an opportunity,” said Wilhelm Hammes, CEO and co-founder of Planted. “Instead of spending months on CO₂ measurement and reporting, we automate these processes. This allows companies to focus their resources on effective measures, such as decarbonisation.”
Christophe Aumaître, Partner at WENVEST Capital stated: “Planted offers companies an intelligent solution to not only document sustainable transformation, but to actively shape it. The team combines in-depth ESG expertise with state-of-the-art technology and goes significantly further than many other solutions on the market.”
