The green-tech startup OCELL, based in Munich, has raised €10 million in a Series A funding round to further its efforts in creating high-quality carbon credits. Led by venture capital firm Capnamic, which has a history of investing in early-stage tech companies, the funding round also saw participation from Bayern Kapital, AENU, Summiteer, and notable business angels such as Max Viessmann. With a focus on enhancing climate resilience, OCELL aims to utilize advanced AI technology to optimize forest management and carbon storage, in addition to scaling its climate projects across Europe.
How will OCELL utilize the newly raised funds?
The capital raised will enable OCELL to continue developing its artificial intelligence-powered platform, which processes data from aerial imagery, LiDAR, and terrestrial forestry. This technology generates digital twins of forests, offering insights into growth patterns and carbon storage capacities. By leveraging these insights, the company plans to optimize climate-friendly management strategies for forests, aiming to store more carbon while enhancing biodiversity. The funds will also be directed towards technological advancements, scaling operations, and expanding projects particularly in the Nordics and Baltics.
How does OCELL ensure transparency in climate projects?
OCELL focuses on creating measurable, transparent, and effective local climate projects. Through scientific data, the company validates the outcomes of its carbon credit programs, aiming to restore trust in the carbon offset market. With a managed forest area of over 810,000 hectares, OCELL’s operations are capable of sequestering 1.62 million tons of CO₂ annually. Agreements for over 100,000 carbon credits have already been finalized, underlining its commitment to supporting sustainable climate initiatives.
Carbon credits, which have faced criticism for their lack of reliable data in the past, remain a key tool in combating climate change. Co-founder and co-CEO David Dohmen emphasized this point, stating,
“We aim to restore trust in the market by combining cutting-edge AI technology with nature-based solutions. Forests offer the advantage of being immediately available, scalable, and relatively cost-effective, while our technology ensures measurability, accuracy, and transparency.”
Capnamic’s Managing Partner Christian Knott also highlighted OCELL’s unique expertise, saying,
“OCELL is not only providing a high-quality product but also creating an opportunity to diversify revenue streams. No other solution knows the forest as intimately, because they are actively helping forest owners to manage it.”
Two years ago, OCELL managed significantly fewer forest areas but has since expanded operations elevenfold. Its digital twin technology stands out as a key factor in enabling this growth, allowing the company to provide actionable insights for climate-optimized forestry while ensuring long-term carbon storage.
OCELL joins a broader market trend where startups are leveraging AI-driven solutions to tackle environmental challenges. However, OCELL distinguishes itself through its emphasis on localized, measurable effects and partnerships with forest owners, furthering its aim to make sustainable forestry practices scalable and scientifically verifiable.
While similar initiatives emerged globally in recent years, OCELL’s approach aligns not only with carbon offsetting but also with biodiversity and forest resilience, differentiating it from others focused solely on emissions reduction. The startup’s integration of AI and local expertise suggests a scalable model for sustainable forest management.
Companies, policymakers, and stakeholders can draw valuable insights from OCELL’s model. By combining technology and nature-based solutions, OCELL demonstrates a viable path for mitigating climate change while addressing the need for measurable environmental accountability. As scrutiny around the carbon credit market grows, approaches like OCELL’s, which emphasize data-backed transparency, may shape the future of carbon offsetting strategies.
