🌳 Huge thanks to Diego Saez Gil, CEO of Pachama, for joining my Duke University class “Climate Tech Startups and Investors.” Here’s why the students appreciated him...
🌄 Dedicated to addressing climate change using technology, his journey began in Argentina, at the foothills of the Andes, where he developed an entrepreneurial spirit. He honed his skills at Stanford GSB, and went on to co-found Bluesmart (smart luggage) and WeHostels, before focusing on climate solutions. And his commitment to climate action isn't just professional; it's deeply personal. He lost his home in the California wildfires of 2020, which fueled his dedication to this mission.
🌎 Pachama employs AI and satellite data to monitor carbon sequestration in natural ecosystems, driving funding towards conservation and restoration efforts. The company has secured almost $90 million from investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Amazon, Lowercarbon Capital, Deutsche Telekom, and Serena Williams. This funding supports projects conserving over 2 million hectares of tropical forests and restoring tens of thousands of new native forests worldwide.
🌱 Pachama's tech allows for dynamic assessment of project baselines, monitoring of forest cover changes, and tracking of biodiversity impacts. Pachama has developed original projects in Brazil, Mexico, and the United States. They also partner with corporations and financiers to invest in reforestation. Pachama focuses on ensuring integrity, transparency, and impact in carbon markets.
💼 Pachama offers companies a way to invest in high-quality nature-based projects, with options for near-term, mid-term, and long-term climate goals. Through Pachama’s platform, investors can monitor project performance and fund allocation. Pachama's vision includes businesses having a positive impact on the Earth's biosphere, uniting economies and ecologies.
Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment
Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability
Duke Financial Economics Center
Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business