Cecil is helping steer capital towards Nature-Based-Solutions (NBS) projects with a dedicated platform to centralise key data and reduce friction.
The system will allow varied stakeholders to access data and information, so informed decisions can be made faster and more efficiently. Investors can review their portfolio of assets, auditors can verify outcomes, and project managers on the ground can input core data.
The startup’s product is clearly in demand, as they’ve just closed a $1.6 million pre-seed funding round to take their business to the next level.
They launched in June 2021 and have already onboarded over 1,500 NBS projects. This represents 1 million hectares of land across Australia, the United Kingdom and Germany.
“Right now the process for finding, registering, and managing NBS projects is clunky and inefficient. The science and natural systems that underpin the outcomes are complex, so managing these projects is also complex.” says co-founder Alex Logan.
“When we interviewed over 100 teams participating in these markets we discovered that information was typically locked away in spreadsheets, remote sensing tools and physical documents. We’ve built a platform that offers a single workspace, streamlining natural asset management to deliver quality nature-based projects.”
There’s broad recognition for the importance of NBS projects to combat climate change, but they capital. The Cecil platform helps investors access information in a standardised format, all in the one place. As well as giving them oversight of their portfolio.
“Nature-based solutions that conserve natural ecosystems can play a critical role in meeting global climate commitments. That includes net zero commitments and other incentives for decarbonisation.” Alex says.
“However, to fund nature restoration and close an estimated $4.1 trillion financing gap needed to deliver necessary net emission reductions by 2030, we need to scale effective market-based solutions that integrate natural capital into our global financial system.”
The round was led by Tenacious Ventures, along with Macdoch Ventures and Global Founders Capital.