Planted secures €5 million investment for ESG management platform
AI-supported software and personal consulting for sustainability transformation in companies
Aachen, February 10, 2025 – The Cologne-based green tech startup Planted has received seed financing in the amount of 5 million euros. The investment is backed by TechVision Fonds, WENVEST Capital, neoteq ventures, AWS Gründungsfonds und Smart Infrastructure Ventures to further develop the ESG software. “Through smart automation, Planted combines ecological responsibility with economic success – and makes sustainability measurably profitable,” says Dr. Ansgar Schleicher, Managing Partner of TechVision Fonds. “Planted is already supporting over 350 customers in Germany with their sustainability strategy.”
Planted offers an AI-supported ESG platform that supports companies holistically in their sustainability transformation – from materiality analysis, carbon accounting, decarbonization and local environmental protection projects to the final report in accordance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
Why another ESG solution is needed
The market for ESG software is highly competitive. What makes Planted unique is that the platform is not limited to pure compliance, but enables companies to undergo a complete transformation towards sustainable value creation. In addition to meeting regulatory requirements, Planted supports decarbonization – often with a reduction in emissions of more than 50 percent. Customers can also get involved in local environmental protection efforts, such as planting mixed forests.
Up to 75 percent time savings
Planted uses advanced AI technologies to implement the CSRD. For example, the software can extract specific data from documents, identify suitable reduction measures and highlight impacts, risks and opportunities in the double materiality analysis. This saves users up to 75 percent of their time.
“We are turning the CSRD obligation into an opportunity,” says Wilhelm Hammes, CEO and co-founder of Planted. “Instead of spending months on CO₂ measurement and reporting, we automate these processes. This allows companies to focus their resources on effective measures, such as decarbonization.”
Support from a large consortium of investors
Christophe Aumaître, Partner at WENVEST Capital, says: “Planted offers companies an intelligent solution to not only document sustainable transformation, but to actively shape it. The team combines in-depth ESG expertise with state-of-the-art technology and goes significantly further than many other solutions on the market.”
In addition to the aforementioned investors, business angels Nina Kani, Felix Schürholz (CO-Founder & MD SoSafe), Frank Piotraschke (CRO SoSafe), Arno Nonnen and Julius Göllner (ARRtist) are supporting the investment.
Financing brings additional staff
The Cologne-based start-up was founded in 2021 by Cindy Schüller, Heinrich Rauh, Wilhelm Hammes and Jan Borchert. Jonas Quilitz joined the team as CPO in February 2023. With the financing round, Julian Grunewald joins as CFO and brings extensive experience in finance and strategy.
Press contact
| TVF Management GmbH Dr. Ansgar Schleicher |
Managing Partner
Markt 45-47
D-52062 Aachen
Phone: 0049 241 – 4 70 56 – 0
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About TVF
TechVision Fonds (TVF) is the leading early-stage VC fund from the Rhineland/NRW area with a focus on technology start-ups in the pre-seed to Series A phases. TVF focuses on outstanding teams from the region including the neighboring Netherlands and Belgium. The TVF management has experience from four fund generations and currently has over € 100 million in assets under management. The fund is backed by strong investors such as NRW.BANK, seven savings banks from western NRW and more than 15 successful entrepreneurs.
The TVF supports start-up teams with proximity, network and expertise and paves the way for them to become the next international industry leader. Through the network of the S-UBG Group, the TVF offers unique access to over 150 successful companies in various industries and establishes contacts between start-ups and their first customers, partners and advisors.
TVF – Brain | Cash | Proximity
About Planted
Planted is a leading provider of a holistic ESG management solution. With a combination of innovative software and personal consulting, Planted supports companies in their sustainability transformation – from materiality analysis, carbon accounting and decarbonization to the final CSRD report. Planted combines compliance with real transformation and integrates active environmental protection: companies can protect forests locally or plant their own company forest. More than 350 companies, including Caritasverband Bruchsal, Senacor Technologies AG and Insta GmbH, rely on Planted to achieve their sustainability goals.
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