The forest management industry in DACH focuses on sustainable practices to preserve and manage forest resources. It encompasses companies involved in forestry, technology, and conservation efforts. These firms offer solutions like reforestation, carbon credit management, and land-use planning. With rising concerns about climate change, the industry is pivoting towards tech-driven approaches, incorporating satellite monitoring and data analysis for better ecosystem management. Interestingly, traditional timber operations are now often combined with eco-friendly initiatives, representing a significant shift. Stakeholders, from governments to NGOs, recognize that forests are essential not only for timber but also for biodiversity and climate resilience.

The investors featured in this list highlight a mix of corporate and venture capital players based in Zurich, Berlin, and Munich. Most range from small teams of under ten to mid-size firms with several dozen employees, reflecting different investment strategies. Established between 2000 and 2022, they participated in a variety of funding activities, with some recording impressive engagements, such as HV Capital's 28 investments in 2024. This blend of firm types and deal-making indicates a thriving investment climate focused on environmental sustainability and technological innovation in forest management.

Top 13 Forest Management Investors in DACH

1. Aenu

• Website: aenu.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2022
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 9
• LinkedIn: pirate-impact

AENU is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2022. The firm is dedicated to empowering climate tech founders by providing investment brokerage and advisory services, primarily targeting tech entrepreneurs addressing climate change and sustainability challenges in Europe. AENU aims to drive systemic change in venture capital through intentional investments in impactful technologies. Among their notable transactions, AENU led a seed funding round for OCELL, a startup developing 'Dynamic Forest' software aimed at sustainable forestry and carbon credit generation. They also participated in the seed round for the Ecosystem Restoration Standard, which focuses on restoring ecosystems, including forested areas. These investments highlight AENU's commitment to supporting projects that have a direct impact on forest management and sustainability.

2. Brainforest

• Website: brainforest.global
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2019
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: brainforest

Brainforest Association is a not-for-profit organization based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2019. It focuses on biodiversity and climate solutions through various programs, including the Biodiversity Lab and Recoverable Grants Fund, aimed at supporting sustainable development initiatives. In 2023, Brainforest made a significant investment in Xilva, a global platform for investments in regenerative forests, raising $1.8 million in a pre-seed round. This investment highlights their commitment to forest management and regenerative practices. Additionally, they provided a grant to Terrabiom, further demonstrating their support for projects that align with environmental sustainability and forest management goals. In 2024, they also participated in a pre-seed round for Orijin, indicating ongoing engagement in initiatives that may impact forest management positively.

3. HV Capital

• Website: hvcapital.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
• Founded year: 2000
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 28
• LinkedIn: hvventures

HV Capital is a venture capital firm based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, founded in 2000. The firm specializes in investing in digital companies and supporting entrepreneurs from seed stage to exit, managing over €2.8 billion in capital. Notably, HV Capital has invested in Timberhub, an Amsterdam-based B2B platform for timber materials, which raised €5.8 million in seed funding to accelerate growth and digital transformation in the timber industry. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for companies like CEEZER, an AI-driven carbon credits platform, and Klima, which focuses on climate action. These investments reflect HV Capital's commitment to supporting innovative solutions that intersect with sustainability and forest management.

4. Ananda Impact Ventures

• Website: ananda.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
• Founded year: 2010
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 6
• LinkedIn: anandaventures

Ananda Impact Ventures is an impact investment firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in supporting early-stage companies that aim to create significant social and environmental impact. They provide both investment and strategic support to entrepreneurs across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and sustainability. Notably, Ananda has been involved in several transactions that are relevant to the forest management context. For instance, they invested in NatureMetrics, which raised $25 million in a Series B round in January 2025 and $15 million in a Series A round in May 2022. NatureMetrics focuses on environmental DNA (eDNA) technology, which can be crucial for biodiversity monitoring in forest ecosystems. Additionally, Ananda invested in OroraTech, which raised over $27 million in a Series B round in October 2024. OroraTech specializes in satellite technology for monitoring wildfires and forest health, making their work directly relevant to forest management practices. These investments highlight Ananda's commitment to sustainability and their potential impact on forest management initiatives.

5. Vanagon

• Website: vanagon.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
• Founded year: 2022
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: vanagon

Vanagon Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2022, based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The firm focuses on investing in startups within the frontier technology and sustainability sectors, providing capital, advisory services, and access to networks for entrepreneurs in the DACH region. In 2023, Vanagon participated in a seed funding round for Renoster Systems, a technology company working on transparency in carbon offset projects, which aligns with sustainability efforts that could impact forest management. Additionally, they invested in The Landbanking Group, which may also relate to land use and management, although the specifics of their involvement in forest management are not detailed. Overall, Vanagon's focus on sustainability and their involvement in relevant transactions suggest a potential interest in areas that could intersect with forest management.

6. VARO Energy

• Website: varoenergy.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2012
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: varo-energy

VARO Energy is a diversified energy company based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, founded in 2012. The company specializes in the manufacturing, storage, and distribution of both conventional and sustainable energy solutions. VARO serves a wide range of customers, including those in aviation and agriculture, by providing reliable energy products and services to meet operational and sustainability needs. In line with its commitment to accelerating the energy transition, VARO Energy has made significant investments in sustainable initiatives. Notably, in July 2021, VARO acquired a 51% stake in SilviCarbon, a leader in nature-based Carbon Dioxide Removals (CDRs), highlighting its focus on addressing climate change and supporting carbon emission reduction targets. Furthermore, in June 2024, VARO participated in a Seed funding round for the Net Zero Company, which aims to launch a new product suite, including the Carbon Removal Token, further demonstrating its engagement in sustainability and carbon management solutions.

7. Planet A Ventures

• Website: planet-a.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2020
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: planet-a

Planet A Ventures is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2020, specializing in investments in green technology startups across Europe and Israel. The firm is dedicated to supporting founders who are tackling significant environmental challenges through innovative solutions. Planet A not only provides financial backing but also offers mentorship and resources to help these startups scale effectively. Among their notable transactions, Planet A participated in a capital increase for The Landbanking Group, which raised €10.5 million in a seed round aimed at sustainable land management. Additionally, they invested in Goodcarbon, which raised over $5.6 million in seed funding, likely focusing on carbon offsetting and sustainability initiatives. These investments reflect Planet A's commitment to fostering companies that contribute to environmental sustainability, including forest management.

8. BackBone Ventures

• Website: backbone.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2018
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 10
• LinkedIn: backbone-ventures

BackBone Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, particularly focusing on underrepresented founders in Germany and Switzerland. They provide funding and support to entrepreneurs across various industries, including HealthTech and B2B SaaS. Notably, BackBone Ventures has participated in transactions such as the Open Forest Protocol, which raised an undisclosed amount in a Pre-Seed round in September 2024, indicating their commitment to projects that promote sustainable forest management. Additionally, they have invested in SQUAKE, a carbon emissions platform, which, while not directly related to forest management, aligns with environmental sustainability efforts. These transactions highlight BackBone Ventures' broader interest in supporting innovative solutions that can impact environmental and forestry sectors.

9. InsurTech.vc

• Website: insurtech.vc
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
• Founded year: 2014
• Headcount: 1-10
• LinkedIn: insurtech-vc

InsurTech.vc is a venture capital firm based in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 2014. The firm specializes in investing in innovative startups within the insurtech sector, providing funding and support to entrepreneurs developing cutting-edge solutions in the insurance industry. Their portfolio includes various digital platforms and services aimed at enhancing insurance processes. Notably, InsurTech.vc participated in a pre-seed funding round for Xilva, a global platform for investments in regenerative forests, which raised $1.8 million. This investment highlights their interest in projects that intersect with sustainability and forest management, despite their primary focus on insurtech.

10. Syngenta

• Website: syngenta.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Basel, Basel, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2000
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: syngenta

Syngenta is an agricultural technology company based in Basel, Switzerland, specializing in crop protection and seed production. Founded in 2000, the company operates globally, providing innovative solutions to farmers and agricultural producers in over 150 countries. In 2023, Syngenta made a significant move into the forest management sector by acquiring Macspred Australia, a company with over 30 years of experience in vegetation management within the forestry and industrial sectors. This acquisition marks Syngenta's entry into the forestry market, showcasing their intent to diversify their offerings beyond traditional agricultural products. Additionally, Syngenta announced the acquisition of Agro Jangada Ltda in Brazil, further expanding their agricultural footprint, although this transaction is less relevant to forest management.

11. Berlin Angel Fund

• Website: berlinangelfund.vc
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2019
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: business-angels-beteiligungsgesellschaft-mbh

Berlin Angel Fund (BACB Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH) is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2019. The fund specializes in investing in startups and providing active support from initial funding to scaling. It connects entrepreneurs with experienced business angels, offering both financial investment and mentorship to help them succeed. Notably, the Berlin Angel Fund participated in a Pre-Seed funding round for Maya Climate, a Berlin-based provider of a project financing platform for natural capital projects, which raised €1.2M. This investment highlights the fund's interest in ventures that contribute to environmental sustainability, including potential applications in forest management.

12. World Fund

• Website: worldfund.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2021
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: worldfund

World Fund is a venture capital fund based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2021. It specializes in investing in startups that focus on climate technology, aiming to support innovative companies that contribute to climate change mitigation. The fund emphasizes sustainability and environmental impact in its investment strategy, targeting businesses across Europe. Notably, World Fund has participated in funding rounds for TreeCard, a UK fintech that allows customers to use a wooden debit card and commits to planting trees with each transaction. This initiative not only promotes financial technology but also directly supports forest management efforts through partnerships with organizations like Ecosia, which is dedicated to tree planting. In 2022, World Fund led a $23 million Series A funding round for TreeCard, following an earlier investment of $1 million in a seed round in 2020. These transactions highlight World Fund's engagement in projects that align with forest management and sustainability goals.

13. NEAR Foundation

• Website: near.foundation
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Zug, Zug, Switzerland
• Founded year: 2020
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 4
• LinkedIn:

NEAR Foundation is a not-for-profit organization based in Switzerland, founded in 2020, that focuses on enabling community-driven innovation within the blockchain ecosystem. It provides support and resources for the development of decentralized applications, helping developers and organizations navigate the complexities of the Web3 space. In 2024, NEAR Foundation participated in a Pre-Seed round for the Open Forest Protocol, a project aimed at enhancing forest management through blockchain technology. This investment highlights the foundation's interest in supporting initiatives that promote sustainable forestry practices and environmental conservation, aligning with its mission to foster innovation in various sectors, including those related to forest management.

Forest Management Insights: Key Investors in DACH

Investor	Headquarter	Size	Founded	Deals 2024
Aenu	Berlin, Berlin, Germany	11-50	2022	9
Brainforest	Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland	1-10	2019	1
HV Capital	Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany	11-50	2000	28
Ananda Impact Ventures	Munich, Bavaria, Germany	11-50	2010	6
Vanagon	Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany	1-10	2022	2
VARO Energy	Baar, Zug, Switzerland	1001-5000	2012	1
Planet A Ventures	Berlin, Berlin, Germany	11-50	2020	7
BackBone Ventures	Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland	1-10	2018	10
InsurTech.vc	Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany	1-10	2014	0
Syngenta	Basel, Basel, Switzerland	10001+	2000	2
Berlin Angel Fund	Berlin, Berlin, Germany	1-10	2019	2
World Fund	Berlin, Berlin, Germany	11-50	2021	7
NEAR Foundation	Zug, Zug, Switzerland	51-200	2020	4

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