Climate-tech Firm Equilibrium Hits $3 Million Seed Fund

Equilibrium, a climate-technological company based in Bengaluru, has acquired $3 million in seed funding from Kalaari Capital, Peak XV Partners and Avaana Capital. The company creates carbon removal projects focused on agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, mangrove restoration and biochar.

The funds will be used to scale eight projects in nine states that will total 120,000 hectares of land and more than 150,000 smallholder farmers, Equilibrium stated on September 20. The projects are estimated to remove more than 20 million tonnes of carbon, it added.

Founded by Siddhanth Jayaram, Equilibrium works with entrepreneur and producer organizations (FPOs), non-governmental organizations and agri-value chain players to launch projects at scale. The company brings together carbon science, monitoring and reporting digitally. It also embraces “waste-to-value” approaches, converting crop residues or invasive species into biochar and soil amendment products.

Key Highlights

Equilibrium raises $3M seed funding to scale carbon removal projects in India.
New projects to impact 150,000 smallholder farmers across 120,000 hectares.
Startup targets removal of 20 million tonnes of carbon through climate-resilient agriculture.

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This is Equilibrium's second fundraising round in 2023. Earlier in the year, the company secured a $2 million blended finance facility from international and domestic philanthropies and carbon financiers, aimed at reducing emissions in paddy and maize supply chains, when it worked with over 10,000 smallholder farmers.

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Jayaram said the startup's mission is to bring scale and durability to carbon removal through a permanent switch to climate-resilient agriculture. "Having raised impact and carbon-finance earlier this year, we’re glad to raise our seed round of equity investment. It’s a long road to planetary restoration, and we’re grateful to have investors that share our belief in patient, committed ambition,” he said.