The forest management industry in the U.S. focuses on sustainable practices that enhance ecosystem health and profitability. Companies in this sector offer services ranging from timber harvesting and reforestation to conservation efforts aimed at biodiversity protection. Many players emphasize carbon credits and climate adaptation, positioning themselves as integral to addressing climate change. As awareness and demand for sustainability rise, innovative technologies are emerging to optimize forest operations, promote responsible land use, and generate ecosystem services. From startups to established firms, the industry is transitioning toward ecological stewardship, driven by investments from private equity and venture capital.


The investors in the forest management space represent a variety of types, ranging from venture capital firms like Y Combinator to corporate foundations such as the Bezos Earth Fund. Headquartered mainly along the East and West Coasts, these investors vary significantly in size, with some accommodating over 5,000 employees, while others consist of small teams. Most investors have been active since the mid-2000s, and recently in 2024, they collectively executed hundreds of deals. This demonstrates a robust commitment to funding sustainable practices and initiatives within forest management.


Top 15 Forest Management Investors in the US


1. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

  • Website: energy.gov
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1977
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 597
  • LinkedIn: u-s--department-of-energy

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is a public entity established in 1977, responsible for overseeing national energy policy, energy production, and nuclear power research. It serves various stakeholders, including government entities and the public, by providing guidance on energy efficiency, funding opportunities, and conducting research to address energy challenges. In 2024, the DOE has been actively involved in funding forest management-related projects through grants. Notable transactions include a $454,000 grant to Maine Woods Company, a $4.4 million grant to Northern Hardwoods, and a $6.755 million grant to Durgin and Crowell Lumber Company, all aimed at enhancing sustainable forestry practices. These investments reflect the DOE's commitment to supporting initiatives that contribute to both energy efficiency and responsible forest management.


2. 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 specializes in providing funding and mentorship to early-stage technology companies, having successfully launched over 4,000 startups. Among its diverse portfolio, Y Combinator has made notable investments in the forest management sector, including Metsä Group, which focuses on sustainable forestry practices, and Pina Earth, a climate tech startup that aims to expand forest adaptation to climate change. Additionally, they have invested in Living Carbon, which works on enhancing carbon capture through innovative forestry techniques, and Pachama, which is involved in forest carbon credit verification. These transactions highlight Y Combinator's engagement with companies that are directly contributing to forest management and sustainability efforts.


3. 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 provides asset management solutions to both institutional investors and individual clients, helping them navigate complex investment landscapes to achieve strong financial returns. Notably, KKR has made significant investments in environmental initiatives, such as acquiring a substantial stake in GreenCollar, an Australian consultancy focused on carbon farming and reef credits. Additionally, KKR invested in Resource Environmental Solutions, which is part of their Green Solutions Platform aimed at promoting eco-efficiency and eco-innovation. These transactions highlight KKR's commitment to supporting sustainable practices, making them a relevant investor in the forest management sector.


4. 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

The Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2023. It 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. The fund has been involved in several notable transactions relevant to forest management, including a significant investment in Kodama Systems, which raised $6.6 million to develop technology aimed at improving climate resilience and carbon storage in forests. Additionally, the fund has participated in multiple funding rounds for Cambium Carbon, which focuses on diverting wood waste and planting high-impact trees, raising a total of $18.5 million across various rounds. These investments highlight the fund's engagement in initiatives that support sustainable forest management and climate solutions.


5. 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. In 2023, the fund made several notable grants, including support for World Agroforestry, which promotes sustainable land use and agroforestry practices, and The Green Belt Movement, which focuses on tree planting and environmental conservation. Other recipients include ARCOS Network, Regeneration, and Re:wild, all of which contribute to forest management and conservation efforts. Through these partnerships, the Bezos Earth Fund collaborates with diverse organizations to drive systemic change and support vulnerable communities affected by climate issues.


6. 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 specializes in supporting early-stage climate tech companies, providing funding and resources to entrepreneurs focused on emissions reduction and climate adaptation. Their investment model emphasizes community building and access to a network of investors and industry experts, which helps founders scale their businesses effectively. Notably, Climate Capital has invested in several companies relevant to forest management, including Mast Reforestation, which raised $25 million in a Series B round to support reforestation efforts. They also participated in Kodama Systems, which raised $6.6 million to develop technology aimed at enhancing climate resilience and carbon storage in forests. These investments highlight Climate Capital's commitment to addressing climate challenges through innovative solutions in the forest management sector.


7. 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, specializing in funding and supporting deep tech startups through its development programs. With a global reach, SOSV connects innovative companies with investors, providing resources to help startups grow and succeed. Among its notable transactions, SOSV has invested in Gaia AI, a forest data company that raised $3M in Pre-Seed funding to enhance its development efforts in the forest management sector. This investment, along with another Pre-Seed round for Gaia AI, highlights SOSV's commitment to supporting technologies that can improve forest management practices. Additionally, their investment in Pembient, which focuses on sustainable alternatives to wildlife products, further demonstrates their interest in environmental sustainability.


8. 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, dedicated to fostering private sector development in emerging markets. Based in Washington, D.C., the IFC provides investment, advisory, and asset management services to businesses and financial institutions, facilitating access to capital and expertise to promote economic growth. The IFC operates in over 100 countries, addressing poverty and promoting sustainable development. Among its notable transactions, the IFC has engaged in significant debt financing activities, such as the $600 million raised by LD Celulose in 2019, which is relevant to the forestry sector as it pertains to cellulose production. Other transactions, while not directly related to forestry, reflect the IFC's commitment to sustainable practices across various industries, including energy and infrastructure, which can indirectly support forest management initiatives.


9. Advantage Capital


Advantage Capital is a venture capital firm based in New Orleans, Louisiana, founded in 1992. The firm specializes in providing equity and debt financing to small businesses, agribusiness, solar projects, and affordable housing, with a strong focus on supporting entrepreneurs in underserved communities. Advantage Capital's investment strategy includes flexible capital solutions aimed at fostering growth and sustainability. Notably, they have been involved in transactions with Conifex Timber, a key player in the timber industry, where they provided both post-IPO equity and debt financing. This involvement highlights their engagement in the forest management sector, alongside their broader investment focus.


10. Elemental Impact


Elemental Impact is a not-for-profit organization based in Honolulu, Hawaii, founded in 2012. The organization is dedicated to scaling climate technologies that have a profound 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 actively involved in several transactions that are pertinent to forest management, including significant investments in Mast Reforestation, which raised $25 million in Series B funding in February 2025, and previous rounds of funding in 2020. They also invested in Propagate and Vibrant Planet, both of which are focused on sustainable practices that contribute to forest management and restoration. Through these efforts, Elemental Impact addresses the funding gap for early-stage climate projects and fosters partnerships that enhance community benefits, particularly in the context of environmental sustainability.


11. Mcj

  • Website: mcj.vc
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: my-climate-journey

MCJ is a venture capital firm based in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 2019, that focuses on climate innovation. They support startups developing solutions to address climate change and transition industries to be more sustainable. Through the MCJ Collective, they foster a community for entrepreneurs and industry leaders to connect and collaborate on climate solutions. Notably, MCJ has invested in Kodama Systems, which is working on technology to enhance climate resilience and carbon storage in forests. They also participated in funding rounds for Pachama, a company that builds a tech-focused carbon credit platform, which is crucial for sustainable forest management. Their investments reflect a strong commitment to advancing technologies that benefit forest ecosystems and contribute to climate solutions.


12. Liquid 2 Ventures

  • Website: liquid2.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 91
  • LinkedIn: liquid-2-ventures

Liquid 2 Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in investing in technology startups at the pre-seed and seed stages, as well as growth-stage companies. They provide capital, mentorship, and access to a vast network of industry insiders to help founders navigate their entrepreneurial journeys. Among their notable transactions, Liquid 2 Ventures invested in Living Carbon, which raised funds to develop innovative solutions for carbon capture and reforestation. This investment highlights their engagement in projects that contribute to forest management and sustainability. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for other technology-driven companies, such as Wyvern and NUVIEW, which focus on satellite imaging and mapping technologies that can be applied in environmental monitoring and land management contexts.


13. TimeVentures

  • Website: timevc.capital
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: California, Kentucky, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: timeventures

Time Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2019, based in California and Kentucky, that specializes in supporting blockchain startups through early-stage funding and consulting services. While its primary focus is on the blockchain sector, Time Ventures has also invested in companies that are significant players in the forest management space. Notably, they participated in a Series A funding round for Mast Reforestation, raising $36 million to support reforestation efforts. Additionally, they were involved in funding rounds for NCX, a company that is working on natural capital markets, raising $50 million in Series B funding and $20 million in Series A funding. These transactions highlight Time Ventures' engagement in initiatives that contribute to forest management and sustainability, despite their broader focus on blockchain technology.


14. Trimble Inc.

  • Website: trimble.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Westminster, Colorado, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1978
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: trimble

Trimble Inc. is a technology company founded in 1978, headquartered in Westminster, Colorado, USA. It specializes in software, hardware, and services across various industries, including construction, agriculture, and transportation. Trimble enhances productivity and efficiency through advanced technology, providing integrated systems for improved operations. In the context of forest management, Trimble has made significant acquisitions, including Asset Forestry in 2013 and BOS Forestry in 2017, which demonstrate its strategic focus on forestry solutions. These acquisitions allow Trimble to offer specialized services and technologies that support forest management practices, further solidifying its role in this sector.


15. Flori Ventures

  • Website: floriventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: floriventures

Flori Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2021. The firm specializes in seed-stage funding for startups that focus on innovative financial solutions and addressing climate challenges. With over $30 million invested in more than 80 startups, Flori Ventures not only provides capital but also offers advisory services to help entrepreneurs succeed. Notably, they have participated in funding rounds for companies like Moss.Earth, which focuses on carbon offset solutions, and GreenTrade, a marketplace for nature-based carbon credits. These investments highlight Flori Ventures' commitment to supporting initiatives that contribute to environmental sustainability and forest management.



Forest Management Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)10001+1977597
Y CombinatorSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002005802
KkrNew York, New York, United States (USA)1001-5000197674
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)51-2002023258
Bezos Earth FundWashington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)11-5020206
Climate CapitalSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)1-10201517
SosvUnited States (USA)51-2001995170
IFC - International Finance CorporationWashington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)1001-50001956107
Advantage CapitalNew Orleans, Louisiana, United States (USA)51-20019925
Elemental ImpactHonolulu, Hawaii, United States (USA)51-200201219
McjBoston, Massachusetts, United States (USA)1-1020197
Liquid 2 VenturesSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)1-10201591
TimeVenturesCalifornia, Kentucky, United States (USA)11-5020193
Trimble Inc.Westminster, Colorado, United States (USA)10001+19783
Flori VenturesSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)1-1020211


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