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Cotierra

Cotierra transforms coffee farm waste into carbon-negative biochar, enhancing soil, boosting yields, and reducing fertilizer use. Our farm-level system, verified by IoT and a digital app, sequesters up to 2.6 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per tonne of biochar.
2022
2-10
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

https://www.cotierra.com/

AgricultureCarbon CaptureEnvironmental ConsultingSustainability
Innovation
Investment Funding
People
Products
Awards and Recognitions
M&A and Collabs
News

Innovation

Industry Problem

Cotierra addresses rising carbon emissions, agricultural waste, soil degradation, unreliable carbon credit systems, rural poverty, and supply chain emissions—using biochar from coffee residues to drive climate, soil, and social solutions.

R&D Focus

Cotierra is conducting research and development at the intersection of regenerative agriculture and climate tech, focusing on decentralized biochar production from coffee farm residues. Their niche lies in transforming agricultural waste into soil-enhancing biochar directly on farms in tropical regions. They are also innovating in IoT-based monitoring and building transparent MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) systems to ensure traceable, verifiable carbon sequestration and improved soil productivity.

Innovative Solution

Cotierra’s solution revolves around a decentralized, farm-level biochar system designed specifically for coffee-growing regions. They provide a clean and efficient biochar reactor that converts coffee residues into high-quality biochar directly on farms. This biochar is then applied to soil with guidance from agronomists and universities, improving soil health, increasing crop yields, and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. To ensure transparency and credibility, Cotierra uses IoT devices and a digital app to monitor biochar production and application in real time.

Solution Effectiveness

Cotierra’s solution shows strong potential, with each tonne of biochar capable of sequestering up to 2.6 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. Their approach can reduce fertilizer use by 20–30% and boost crop yields by 10–30%, enhancing both environmental and economic outcomes for farmers. Additionally, their IoT-enabled MRV system ensures real-time, tamper-proof tracking of carbon removal, building trust with carbon credit buyers and validating their impact through Carbon Standards International.

Investment Funding

Last Funding Stage

Seed

Total Funding Amount

$1.1M

Last Funding Amount

$1.0M

Last Funding Date

March, 2024

Startup Stage

Pre-Seed

Lead Investors

Venture Kick, S2S Ventures, Clima Now, Climate Founders, Carbon Drawdown Initiative

People

Founders

  • Thomas Käslin
  • Marcel Rohner
  • Lorenz Buser

Products

Product

– Biochar Reactor – Converts coffee residues into premium biochar on farms; enables waste recycling and carbon sequestration. – Biochar – Applied to soils to improve fertility, increase yields, and store carbon permanently. – IoT-Enabled Monitoring System – Tracks biochar production and application in real time to ensure operational efficiency and data accuracy. – Digital MRV System (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) – Provides tamper-proof, traceable carbon removal data for transparency and certification. – Agronomic Support Program – Trains farmers on proper biochar application for maximum soil and crop health benefits. – Customer Reviews – NA

Star Product

The Biochar Reactor is Cotierra’s star product. It is the core innovation that enables their entire solution, converting waste (coffee residues) into high-quality biochar directly on farms. This decentralised, efficient reactor is what makes large-scale, low-cost, and permanent carbon sequestration feasible in tropical agricultural settings. By producing biochar on-site, it reduces logistics costs, empowers farmers, recycles waste, and directly supports soil regeneration, all while locking carbon into the ground. It is the foundation upon which their IoT monitoring, MRV system, and agronomic services are built.

Demo Product or Complete Product?

Cotierra’s biochar reactor technology was first launched and utilized in Colombia, following the company’s establishment in 2023. In March 2024, Cotierra secured $1 million in pre-seed funding to further develop and deploy this biochar reactor technology, aiming to enhance coffee farming practices and contribute to carbon removal efforts .

Awards and Recognitions

Awards

– ONE CREATION Environmental Innovation Awards 2024 – 2nd Place – IC Award – Top 3 Winner for Most Innovative Solutions Tackling Global Challenges 2025 – Nespresso Swiss Startcup Challenge 2022 – 1st Place

Media Apperance

– Clean Technica – Daily Coffee News

Certifications

– Global Artisan C-Sink Certification

M&A and Collabs

Collab

Cotierra has partnered with Volcafe, a Swiss green coffee trader, to implement decentralized biochar production on Colombian coffee farms.The collaboration has led to the issuance of biochar-based carbon removal credits the first of their kind in Colombia’s coffee sector providing both environmental benefits and additional income for farmers.

Collab

Cotierra collaborates with coffee cooperatives, such as the ASMUER cooperative in Huila, Colombia, to implement its biochar solutions. These partnerships focus on enhancing farmer profitability by improving yields and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers, thereby contributing to more sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.