Kay Yano, CEO & Co-Founder | Yuki Katoh, CTO & Co-Founder

Carbontribe Labs combines computer vision with web3 technology to quickly and efficiently generate carbon removal digital assets in a transparent and tamper-proof way.

1. Which is the problem that you are trying to mediate? And, precisely, which UN SDG-s you are solving?

Carbon credit is one of the most realistic solutions that can offer a new revenue stream while curbing GHG emissions. However, outdated document-based methodologies and a conservative industry structure have left 99% of potentially creditable resources untapped. Furthermore, environmental initiatives often prioritize ideology and bureaucracy over the benefits for the people who should benefit the most.

After interviewing farmers, forest owners and NGOs in Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, we found one common question: “How can we monetize our land with this?”

The low profitability has been a challenge for primary industries, and traditionally, these industries have operated by "consuming" resources, making it a prerequisite to destroy resources in order to generate profit. We aim to reverse this structure.

The technology offered by Carbontribe Labs enables the transformation of nature into tradable digital assets and the creation of an alternative economy. What’s crucial is that everyone should have access to this new economy enabled by technology.

Using computer vision and blockchain technology, our system automatically detects changes in forest areas, collects data, stores it on a decentralized server on Web3, and issues “Carbon Removal Digital Assets” that verify GHG reductions. Since the entire process is automated, manual operations are almost unnecessary. Anyone can verify transaction histories and the data’s authenticity, while ensuring it cannot be tampered with.

Carbon credits have faced issues with green washing in the past, but our technology is a powerful tool in preventing it.  UN SDG-s we are solving:

• 8. DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

• 9. INDUSTRY INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

• 13. CLIMATE ACTION

• 12. LIFE BELOW WATER

• 15. LIFE ON LAND

2. How did the idea to create the company come to mind? How did your team come to be?

Before Carbontribe Labs, we embarked on a few other projects that unfortunately didn't succeed. We approached them with the mindset of "just because we could," without putting much thought into market fit or the actual problems we needed to solve. However, those failures turned out to be valuable lessons. They taught us the importance of starting with the problem rather than the solution, and that's exactly how we began with Carbontribe Labs.

We identified a significant issue in the carbon credit market—it's slow, costly, and suffers from a lack of transparency, which damages its reputation. From there, the solution came naturally, building on the technical experience we had accumulated. As we grew to understand the market and our users better, making adjustments became an intuitive process.

Although we're only about eight months old as a company, we've already achieved a satisfactory level of revenue and have multiple Proof of Concepts (PoCs) in motion, validating our approach and solution.

3. Why did you choose to participate in the Paris Techstars accelerator program? What are you looking forward to the most?

Our business operates at the intersection of the environmental sector and cutting-edge technology, and we were searching for supporters because there are very few venture capital firms that specialize in early-stage companies in this field. Generally, firms focused on the environmental sector lack technological expertise, while those strong in technology tend to have little interest in the environment. Techstars Sustainability Paris, however, has a deep understanding of both areas, and we found that their culture of mutual respect aligns closely with ours.

We are an Estonian-based company, founded by Japanese founders, with operations in Berlin and Amsterdam. Our business spans continents: we develop core technologies and file patents in Europe, conduct PoC for credit generation in Southeast Asia, and sell to companies in North America.

Techstars is one of the most globally connected accelerators, with hubs in key cities across every continent. Their network of investors, local businesses, and legal experts is highly compatible with our global approach. And of course, Paris is a global hub for sustainability-focused companies, including LVMH, so having a presence in Paris is a significant advantage.

Leveraging these synergies, we plan to expand our customer and partner base through Techstars while also seeking funding from impact-focused VCs and other investors.

4. What are you the most proud of in your initial journey with your company?

We’re happy to have found an early investor, as well as companies that have already paid for our services and products. This early support strengthens our hope and commitment to our long-term goal of GHG removal and environmental protection, even at this early stage. With their backing, we’re confident that the path ahead holds great potential for achieving our vision.

5. How do you plan to measure the positive impact of your company in the next 5 years?

• Biomass detected in our projects using satellite imagery and our computer vision model

• CO2 detected in our projects

• CO2 removed and issued as carbon removal digital assets Good Luck, CarbonTribe Labs!

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