The tree planting industry in the US is a vital sector focused on reforestation, urban greening, and ecological restoration. Various companies—including nonprofits, corporations, and startups—operate to promote sustainability and combat climate change. These organizations might provide community programs, technology solutions, or funding for large-scale planting efforts. The industry has seen a surge in investment and awareness due to its environmental significance and the increasing urgency of addressing carbon emissions. Interesting trends include the rise of carbon credits and eco-friendly innovations, revealing a growing recognition of the importance of trees in mitigating climate issues.


The following list showcases 13 prominent tree planting investors in the US, revealing a mix of corporate and venture capital entities. These investors, founded between 1976 and 2023, range in size from small firms to large organizations, with headquarters spanning from Camden, New Jersey, to San Francisco, California. In 2024 alone, their collective investment efforts amounted to nearly 1,000 deals, highlighting a robust interest in sustainability-driven initiatives. Companies like American Water and Y Combinator illustrate this trend, combining financial support with innovative environmental solutions.


Top 13 Tree Planting Investors in the US


1. Government of Canada

  • Website: canada.ca
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Canada, Kentucky, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 137
  • LinkedIn: government-of-canada

The Government of Canada is a public entity that provides a wide range of services and information to Canadian citizens and residents, addressing various needs including employment, immigration, health care, and taxation. Founded in 1999, it operates through multiple departments and agencies to ensure access to essential services and support for individuals and businesses across the country. In addition to its core functions, the Government of Canada has been involved in several significant transactions that support environmental conservation and tree planting initiatives. For instance, it provided a grant of $700,000 to the Nature Conservancy of Canada in August 2023, which is likely to support tree planting and habitat restoration efforts. Similarly, it granted $228,745 to Nature-Action Québec in February 2025, and undisclosed amounts to Credit Valley Conservation and Catfish Creek Conservation Authority in May 2023. Furthermore, a grant of $209,990 was awarded to the Alderville First Nation Black Oak Savanna in January 2024, which may also involve tree planting activities. These transactions highlight the Government of Canada's role in funding projects that contribute to environmental sustainability and tree planting efforts.


2. American Water

  • Website: amwater.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Camden, New Jersey, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1886
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 34
  • LinkedIn: american-water

American Water is a public entity that provides essential water and wastewater services to approximately 3.4 million customers across the United States. Founded in 1886 and headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, the company operates in the water utility industry, ensuring clean and safe water supply while managing wastewater treatment. Their services cater to residential, commercial, and governmental clients, emphasizing community support and environmental stewardship. In 2024, American Water has been involved in several grant transactions that support environmental organizations, including a $30,523 grant to the National Wildlife Federation and a $12,500 grant to Berks Nature. Additionally, they contributed $2,000 to Friends of the Forest Preserves and $10,000 to the American River Parkway Foundation. These transactions highlight their commitment to supporting initiatives that promote conservation and environmental health, which often includes tree planting efforts.


3. Y Combinator

  • Website: ycombinator.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 802
  • LinkedIn: y-combinator

Y Combinator is a prominent startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2005. It provides funding and mentorship to early-stage technology companies, helping entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses through structured programs and resources like the Startup School. Over the years, Y Combinator has successfully launched more than 4,000 startups, establishing itself as a key player in the technology startup ecosystem. Among its diverse portfolio, Y Combinator has made notable investments in climate tech companies such as Living Carbon, which raised funds to enhance carbon capture through tree growth, and Pachama, which focuses on forest conservation and carbon credit verification. These investments reflect Y Combinator's engagement in initiatives that support environmental sustainability and tree planting efforts.


4. Plug and Play Tech Center


Plug and Play Tech Center is an innovation hub and venture capital firm based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2006. They connect startups with corporations to foster growth and innovation, offering various programs including accelerator initiatives and investment opportunities. In 2024, they have made 253 investments, showcasing their active role in the venture capital landscape. Notably, they have invested in companies like Transitry, a climate-tech firm that aims to enhance the carbon credit economy, indicating their interest in sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives. Other relevant transactions include their support for Biome Makers and ClimateTrade, both of which are involved in environmental solutions. This diverse portfolio highlights their potential alignment with tree planting and environmental restoration efforts, even as they primarily focus on technology.


5. Sosv

  • Website: sosv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 170
  • LinkedIn: sosv

Sosv is a venture capital firm founded in 1995, based in the United States, that specializes in funding and supporting deep tech startups through its development programs. The firm provides venture capital investment and resources to help startups grow in sectors such as health and climate technology. Notably, Sosv has invested in Gaia AI, a forest data company, which raised $3M in Pre-Seed funding to accelerate its growth and development efforts. This investment aligns with environmental sustainability and tree planting initiatives. Additionally, Sosv has invested in NuLeaf Tech, which, while not directly related to tree planting, operates in the climate technology space, further indicating its interest in supporting technologies that can positively impact the environment.


6. Elemental Impact


Elemental Impact is a not-for-profit organization based in Honolulu, Hawaii, founded in 2012. Their primary focus is on scaling climate technologies that have a significant community impact. They provide funding opportunities, community engagement strategies, and educational resources to support climate technology companies and local governments in deploying sustainable solutions. In recent years, Elemental Impact has been involved in several transactions that highlight their commitment to environmental sustainability, particularly in the tree planting context. Notably, they participated in funding rounds for Mast Reforestation, which raised $25 million in a Series B round in February 2025, as well as earlier funding rounds in 2020. These investments demonstrate their active role in supporting reforestation efforts and addressing the funding gap for early-stage climate projects, thereby enhancing community benefits and promoting sustainable practices.


7. Climate Capital

  • Website: climatecapital.co
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 17
  • LinkedIn: climatecap

Climate Capital is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015. The firm focuses on supporting early-stage climate tech companies that are working on emissions reduction and climate adaptation. They provide funding and resources to entrepreneurs, emphasizing community building and access to a network of investors and industry experts. Notably, Climate Capital has invested in Mast Reforestation, which raised $25 million in a Series B round, directly supporting reforestation efforts. They also participated in funding Pina Earth, a startup that automates carbon project development and aims to expand forest areas in Germany, thereby promoting tree planting initiatives. Other investments include Overstory and Solid World, which, while not exclusively focused on tree planting, contribute to the broader climate tech ecosystem that supports sustainable practices.


8. Bezos Earth Fund

  • Website: bezosearthfund.org
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: bezos-earth-fund

The Bezos Earth Fund is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2020, based in Washington, D.C. It is dedicated to combating climate change and protecting nature through significant philanthropic commitments. The fund provides grants to various initiatives focused on environmental sustainability, conservation, and social justice, aiming to create a more equitable future. Recently, the Bezos Earth Fund has made several notable grants that are relevant to tree planting and reforestation. For instance, it provided funding to the Green Belt Movement, an organization known for its tree planting initiatives, and to World Agroforestry, which promotes sustainable land use practices that often include tree planting. Additionally, the fund supported Re:wild, which focuses on restoring ecosystems, further emphasizing its commitment to environmental conservation. Through these efforts, the Bezos Earth Fund collaborates with diverse partners to drive systemic change and support vulnerable communities affected by climate issues.


9. IFC - International Finance Corporation

  • Website: ifc.org
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1956
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 107
  • LinkedIn: ifclinkedin

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a not-for-profit organization established in 1956, focused on private sector development in emerging markets. Based in Washington, D.C., IFC provides investment, advisory, and asset management services to businesses and financial institutions, facilitating access to capital and expertise to foster economic growth. Operating in over 100 countries, IFC addresses poverty challenges and promotes sustainable development. Notably, IFC has been involved in several transactions relevant to the tree planting context, such as its investment in Zalar Agri, which aims to expand fruit tree operations in Morocco, thereby creating jobs and enhancing agricultural diversity. Additionally, IFC's participation in the funding of Westfalia Fruit, which is committed to becoming carbon neutral and adopting climate-smart practices, further underscores its role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices that include tree planting. Furthermore, their investment in SeeTree, an AgTech company, indicates a focus on innovative agricultural solutions that could enhance tree planting efforts.


10. AgFunder

  • Website: agfunder.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2013
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 20
  • LinkedIn: agfunder

AgFunder is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, specializing in foodtech and agtech investments. Founded in 2013, AgFunder provides funding and consulting services to startups in the food and agriculture sectors, helping them innovate and grow. They also publish industry news and research, contributing to the knowledge base of the agri-food technology landscape. Notably, AgFunder has participated in significant transactions that align with tree planting and sustainability. For instance, they invested in Propagate, a commercial agroforestry platform that raised $10M in Series A funding and has planted 37,000 trees in 2022. Additionally, AgFunder was involved in the funding of CarbonFarm Technology, which aims to promote sustainable farming practices. These investments highlight AgFunder's commitment to supporting initiatives that contribute to environmental sustainability and tree planting.


11. Kkr

  • Website: kkr.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1976
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 74
  • LinkedIn: kkr

KKR & Co. Inc. is a prominent investment firm based in New York, specializing in private equity, credit, infrastructure, and real estate. Founded in 1976, KKR has established itself as a leader in asset management, providing solutions to institutional investors and individual clients worldwide. The firm has made significant strides in supporting environmental initiatives, as evidenced by its investments in companies like GreenCollar, which focuses on carbon farming and reef credits, and Resource Environmental Solutions, which aims to enhance eco-efficiency and sustainability. KKR's Green Solutions Platform is dedicated to fostering environmental initiatives across its portfolio, highlighting its commitment to eco-innovation and solutions that can include tree planting and related activities. With 74 investments in 2024 alone, KKR continues to leverage its expertise to navigate complex investment landscapes while contributing to environmental sustainability.


12. Breakthrough Energy


Breakthrough Energy is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2015, based in Kirkland, Washington, dedicated to accelerating the transition to a net-zero economy. They focus on supporting innovative technologies and advocating for policies that promote clean energy solutions. Their investment portfolio includes significant contributions to companies like Pachama, which has raised multiple rounds of funding (Seed, Series A, and Series B) to develop a tech-focused carbon credit platform that emphasizes the importance of tree planting and forest management in carbon offsetting. Additionally, they participated in the Series A funding for Yard Stick, a company that aligns with climate action goals. Breakthrough Energy Ventures collaborates with various stakeholders in the clean energy sector, making them a key player in the fight against climate change and a supporter of tree planting initiatives.


13. Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)

  • Website: av.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2023
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 258
  • LinkedIn: deep-tech-fund-av-focused-fund

Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2023. The firm provides accredited investors and institutions with access to professionally-managed, diversified venture portfolios, leveraging a network of over 10,000 investors to connect them with high-quality investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem. Notably, the fund has participated in significant transactions related to environmental sustainability, including investments in Cambium Carbon, which raised $18.5 million in Series A funding and focuses on carbon management and sustainable forestry practices. This involvement highlights the fund's interest in supporting innovative solutions that contribute to tree planting and environmental conservation.



Tree Planting Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Government of CanadaCanada, Kentucky, United States (USA)10001+1999137
American WaterCamden, New Jersey, United States (USA)5001-10000188634
Y CombinatorSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002005802
Plug and Play Tech CenterSunnyvale, California, United States (USA)501-10002006253
SosvUnited States (USA)51-2001995170
Elemental ImpactHonolulu, Hawaii, United States (USA)51-200201219
Climate CapitalSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)1-10201517
Bezos Earth FundWashington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)11-5020206
IFC - International Finance CorporationWashington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)1001-50001956107
AgFunderSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)11-50201320
KkrNew York, New York, United States (USA)1001-5000197674
Breakthrough EnergyKirkland, Washington, United States (USA)51-200201538
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)51-2002023258


Want to find more investors focusing on the tree planting industry?

If you want to find more investors that are active in the tree plantingindustry, you can do that with Inven. We built this list and analysis throughInven's Investor Search, and there are a lot more private equity, venturecapital, and corporate investors like these globally.

With Inven, you'll also get to know:

  • Deal History: Number of deals and their sizes.
  • Portfolio: Companies they've invested in.
  • Contact data: Key dealmakers, including their emails and phonenumbers.
  • ...and much more!