California, USA-based innovator in forest restoration, Kodama Systems raised USD 6.6 million in seed funding. The round took place on December 15, 2022. Leading climate-tech investors Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Congruent Ventures led the financing for the firm. Meanwhile, it received a business development grant from CAL FIRE as well as a carbon removal R&D grant from Frontier Climate.
Purpose of financing for Kodama Systems
With the latest proceeds from the seed funding, the company intends to accelerate its technology development to improve the efficiency of thinning forestry operations.
Besides, it has plans to expand markets for woody biomass byproducts. With the grant received from CAL FIRE, Kodama Systems seeks to develop site connectivity and automation for forest thinning. Moreover, the contribution from Frontier Climate will go towards a biomass storage pilot project in partnership with the Yale Carbon Containment Lab.
What the company’s official has to say
Merritt Jenkins, CEO of Kodama, said, “Kodama is increasing the pace and scale of forest restoration. The industry was previously hindered by limited workforce capacity and biomass utilization infrastructure. In order to meet the forest restoration goals of the US Forest Service and CAL FIRE, the industry’s capacity must double over the next five years. Kodama is developing a full-stack solution that improves operational efficiencies on the ground and utilizes unmerchantable biomass. It is an honour to work with Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Congruent Ventures, and other partners as we develop these technologies.”
What the investors have to say
Josh Posamentier, the managing partner at Congruent Ventures, said, “The magnitude of forest restoration needed in California alone is staggering, and this industry will require technology to scale. Megafires are expected to only get worse. Hnece, we’re racing against the clock.”
In addition, Robin Bellows, CAL FIRE Wood Products and Bioenergy Program, said, “We are excited to support Kodama Systems’ work in site connectivity and teleoperation. This brings new technology to forest restoration work with the potential to increase the pace and scale of forest fuels management.”
Besides, Justin Freiberg, managing director of the Yale Carbon Containment Lab, said, “Biomass utilization is a significant bottleneck to scaling forest restoration across the American West. Many restoration projects are stuck in limbo because the wood is unmerchantable. We’re excited to be collaborating with Kodama on a novel method of biomass utilization because it has the potential to open new markets and match the distributed nature of the problem.”
About the company
Merritt Jenkins launched the company in 2021. Kodama is on a mission to battle climate resilience and carbon storage in forests via leveraging technology.
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