Key Takeaways
- Klim, a German AgriTech startup, raised $22 million in its Series A round, led by BNP Paribas with additional investments from Earthshot Ventures, Rabobank, Agfunder, and others.
- The funds will support Klim’s international expansion, platform enhancement, and introduction of new financial services to aid farmers in transitioning to regenerative practices.
- Over 3,500 farmers currently utilize Klim’s platform, managing 700,000 hectares, which accounts for 5% of Germany’s farmland.
- Major clients, including Nestlé and Aryzta, use Klim’s solutions to support emissions reduction and resilient supply chains.
- The platform and services aim to facilitate the shift to sustainable food systems, addressing soil health, biodiversity, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Klim’s Mission to Transform Food Supply Chains
Klim, a European leader in regenerative agriculture technology, has secured $22 million in Series A funding led by BNP Paribas, Europe’s largest bank. This funding round, with participation from Earthshot Ventures, Rabobank, and Agfunder, marks one of the largest AgriTech Series A investments in Germany in 2024. Founded in 2020, the company aims to help food companies decarbonize and adopt sustainable practices by providing farmers with digital tools to manage the transition to regenerative agriculture.
“Our food system is undergoing a monumental shift, with regenerative agriculture at its core,” said Robert Gerlach, CEO of Klim. “At Klim, we’ve developed a scalable approach to enable this transformation by partnering with farmers and major food companies.”
Scaling Regenerative Practices with Digital Solutions
The company’s digital platform assists farmers with planning, execution, and financing as they shift to regenerative practices. By focusing on improving soil health, boosting biodiversity, and reducing farm emissions, Klim’s solutions address key environmental impacts of conventional agriculture. More than 3,500 farmers managing 700,000 hectares use Klim’s platform, representing 5% of German farmland. Clients like Nestlé and Aryzta rely on Klim to help meet sustainability goals, cut emissions, and enhance supply chain resilience.
“Supporting companies driving the transition to a sustainable economy is central to our mission at BNP Paribas,” said Maha Keramane, Head of BNP Paribas’ Positive Impact Business Accelerator. “Klim’s approach aligns with our goals to finance solutions that mitigate climate change and build resilient ecosystems.”
International Expansion and Platform Optimization
With $22 million in new funding, the company plans to expand internationally, optimize its platform, and add financial services to help farmers secure resources for transitioning to regenerative agriculture. Investors highlighted Klim’s potential impact on sustainable food systems. “Klim is addressing the urgent need to sustainably feed a growing population while restoring ecosystems,” said Maximilian Schausberger, Managing Director at Elevator Ventures.
Martijn Scholtes from Rabobank echoed the sentiment, noting, “Klim’s proposition aligns with Rabobank’s goal to support sustainable practices in the F&A ecosystem, offering tools for effective decarbonization.”
