Pachama uses satellite imagery and AI to verify that carbon offset forests actually exist and are actually absorbing carbon. This might sound obvious, but the carbon offset market has been plagued by projects that sell credits for forests that were never going to be cut down, are already dead, or simply do not exist. Pachama is the quality control layer that the voluntary carbon market desperately needed. They are making sure that when a company buys a carbon credit, it actually means something.
Founded
2018
HQ
San Francisco, USA
Total Raised
$79 million
Founder
Diego Saez-Gil, Tomas Aftalion
Status
Private
Website
pachama.comTHE ORIGIN STORY
Diego Saez-Gil and Tomas Aftalion, both Argentine entrepreneurs, were frustrated by the lack of transparency in carbon offset markets. Companies were spending millions on carbon credits with no reliable way to verify that the forests they were "protecting" were actually standing.
Saez-Gil had previously founded a travel startup (WeHostels/Bluesmart) and wanted to apply technology to climate change. They founded Pachama in 2018 to use satellite data, LiDAR, and machine learning to measure forest carbon storage remotely and verify offset project quality.
WHAT THEY ACTUALLY DO
Marketplace and verification platform. Pachama earns a commission on carbon credits sold through its marketplace.
The company also provides forest monitoring and verification services to carbon project developers and buyers. Revenue comes from transaction fees and enterprise contracts for ongoing monitoring.
THE PRODUCTS
Pachama Marketplace (curated, verified carbon credits). Forest Monitoring (satellite-based carbon measurement).
Project Evaluation (AI-powered quality assessment). Portfolio Management (corporate carbon credit portfolios).
Reporting and disclosure tools.
HOW THEY GREW
Building trust in a trust-deficient market. Pachama grew by being the credibility layer in carbon markets.
Corporate sustainability teams use Pachama to find and verify high-quality carbon credits that can withstand scrutiny from regulators, investors, and the public. The platform's satellite-verified data gives buyers confidence that their money is actually protecting forests.
THE HARD PART
The voluntary carbon market's reputation problem. Multiple investigations have revealed that many carbon offset projects are ineffective or fraudulent, which damages the entire market — including legitimate players like Pachama.
The company needs the overall market to grow and maintain credibility for its business to thrive.
MONEY TRAIL
Seed
2019 · Led by Y Combinator
$4M raised
Series A
2021 · Led by Lowercarbon Capital
$15M raised
Series B
2022 · Led by Lowercarbon Capital
$55M raised
WHO BACKED THEM
Backed by Lowercarbon Capital (Chris Sacca), Breakthrough Energy Ventures (Bill Gates), Y Combinator, Amazon, and Salesforce Ventures. The combination of climate-focused and tech-focused investors validates the hybrid approach.
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