CinSOIL Pioneers Soil Carbon Sequestration to Transform the Agrifood Industry

In the face of escalating climate change concerns, the agrifood sector is increasingly under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint. Recognizing the urgent need for sustainable solutions, CinSOIL, a German deeptech startup, has stepped up to offer a groundbreaking approach that helps companies decarbonize their supply chains at the farm level. By accurately monitoring and quantifying soil carbon sequestration, CinSOIL's innovative software enables agrifood businesses to make significant strides in reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

CinSOIL’s platform leverages advanced AI-driven tools that utilize satellite data to monitor soil carbon dynamics with high precision. This technology unlocks the full potential of soil carbon sequestration by providing a cost-efficient, scalable solution for tracking carbon storage. The platform offers both historical baseline analysis and future trajectory projections, equipping companies with the data they need to engage in carbon farming and reduce their emissions within their own supply chains—a process known as insetting.

Insetting is a more sustainable alternative to the traditional method of carbon offsetting, where companies compensate for their emissions by investing in external projects, such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives. Instead, CinSOIL's approach encourages businesses to focus on reducing or absorbing GHGs directly within their own operations and supply chains. This not only addresses carbon emissions but also promotes a more resilient and sustainable supply chain, fostering deeper relationships between companies and their suppliers and enhancing transparency with consumers.

CinSOIL's software also plays a crucial role in restoring soil health and biodiversity through regenerative agricultural practices. By supporting sustainable farming techniques, the platform helps improve soil quality and ecosystem resilience, particularly in regions like southern Europe and the Mediterranean, where soil degradation is a pressing issue.

The origins of CinSOIL can be traced back to the Innovator Fellowship program by EIT Food in 2021. The company’s co-founders, Dr. Antonella Succurro, Dr. Tavseef Mairaj Shah, and Dr. Giorgi Shuradze, each brought unique expertise to the table. Dr. Succurro’s background in microbiological analysis and applied data science, Dr. Shah’s research in agroecology and regenerative agriculture, and Dr. Shuradze’s experience in business development and agrifood startups, combined to create a high-impact, sustainable solution to one of the most critical challenges in modern agriculture.

However, transitioning from concept to reality was not without its challenges. As Dr. Shuradze explained, the team faced significant hurdles during the COVID-19 pandemic, including balancing full-time jobs and family responsibilities. Despite these obstacles, the team secured crucial early funding through the EXIST Business Startup Grant from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) in partnership with the Technical University of Munich. This support allowed them to transition to full-time roles at CinSOIL and accelerate the development of their platform.

CinSOIL also benefited from participating in Earlybird Venture Capital's Vision Lab, a pro bono incubator and impact fund designed to support tech entrepreneurs with migrant backgrounds in Germany. This experience helped CinSOIL refine its business model and prepare for scaling.

What sets CinSOIL apart from other companies in the rapidly growing soil carbon sequestration sector is its comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. While many startups rely solely on satellite imagery, CinSOIL combines this with process-based models, a specialty of co-founder Dr. Succurro. This allows the company to provide more accurate and actionable insights. Furthermore, CinSOIL is not just focused on monitoring; it also aims to offer a decision support system for farmers. This system will help farmers select the most appropriate regional agricultural practices for their specific context, leading to increased soil carbon stocks and overall sustainability.

As CinSOIL continues to gain traction, it has already begun engaging with industry heavyweights in the agrifood sector. Dr. Shuradze noted that the company’s measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) services not only promote sustainability but also open up new revenue streams for businesses. Companies can monetize the carbon stored in their soil, provided they have a reliable, long-term monitoring tool to provide the necessary data. This capability addresses a significant bottleneck in the industry, enabling carbon farming to be explored and scaled on a much larger level.

Looking ahead, CinSOIL is in the process of fundraising and actively seeking impact investors who share their commitment to sustainable food production and farming. The startup’s success so far underscores the growing importance of innovative solutions in the fight against climate change, particularly in the critical area of soil carbon sequestration. As they continue to develop their platform and expand their reach, CinSOIL is poised to play a key role in transforming the agrifood sector and contributing to a more sustainable future.