Terraton, a San Francisco-based climate tech startup, has secured $11.5 million in seed funding to expand its innovative biochar production model. The company envisions a franchise-style approach, providing partners with standardized equipment, operational guidance, and ongoing support to create biochar production sites quickly and efficiently.
Biochar, a form of charcoal created by heating organic material without oxygen, is recognized for its ability to sequester carbon dioxide when incorporated into soil. Terraton’s approach aims not only to capture carbon but also to provide local communities with a way to manage agricultural waste productively.
The company has already planned its first production sites in Africa, including a facility in Ghana using cocoa husks and a site in Kenya processing nut shells. Combined, these facilities are projected to sequester tens of thousands of metric tons of CO₂ annually. By replicating this model in other regions, Terraton hopes to make biochar production more accessible globally and significantly contribute to climate mitigation efforts.
Alongside physical infrastructure, Terraton is developing a digital platform to help partners manage operations, measure carbon credits, and facilitate their sale to corporations seeking verified carbon offsets. The startup’s goal is to streamline both the production and monetization of biochar, allowing businesses and communities to participate in climate solutions more easily.
Terraton’s franchise approach represents a shift in the carbon removal industry, potentially accelerating the deployment of biochar technology and supporting global sustainability goals. With seed funding from a combination of venture investors and notable angel backers, the company is positioned to scale its operations and encourage wider adoption of biochar as a practical climate solution.
