In this engaging discussion, Manuel Pinuela, the Founder and CEO of Cultivo, shares his vision for unlocking investment in nature-based climate solutions. He highlights the staggering $700 billion financing gap that hinders private sector involvement and explains how Cultivo leverages advanced technology to bridge this divide. Manuel dives into how sustainable practices like rotational grazing can revitalize ecosystems while promoting economic benefits. With recent funding successes, he emphasizes the potential for scaling up ecological investments to combat climate change effectively.
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Peak District Inspiration
Manuel Pinuela was inspired to start Cultivo after seeing degraded land in the Peak District.
This experience highlighted the need for land regeneration and accelerating investment in nature.
insights INSIGHT
Information Asymmetry
Cultivo addresses the information asymmetry in the nature-based solutions market by using technology.
This helps determine land degradation, potential for regeneration, and required funding.
insights INSIGHT
Defining Degraded Land
Degraded land is defined by biodiversity loss, reduced soil health and moisture, and impacted water cycles.
Cultivo considers social and economic pressures on communities within these ecosystems.
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Let’s talk about nature – the forests, land, oceans, biodiversity, and ecosystem that make this planet liveable and, if you ask me, quite worth saving. Nature regulates our climate – and stewarding nature well could contribute 20-30% of our emissions reduction needs. It’d also support livelihoods around the world and help prevent the mass extinction of many of our planet’s species.
Nature-based solutions often sound simple – planting and protecting forests, farming in ways that improve soil health, restoring wetlands – but require sophisticated techniques to measure and track their impact. The lack of good nature monitoring systems has contributed to a $700 billion global financing gap and an inability of private sector investors to really lean into this opportunity. Currently, just 15% of investment in nature-based solutions comes from the private sector.
This is where a young company called Cultivo comes in. Cultivo uses technology to understand the investment opportunity for nature based solutions. Having just raised $14 million of venture capital, they’re ready to scale. I was thrilled to speak with Cultivo Founder and CEO Manuel Pinuela. We discussed Manuel’s background as a repeat entrepreneur, how he came to found Cultivo, the technology that sets them apart, the potential they see and much more. I learned a lot and became a quick fan of Cultivo’s work.
Hope you enjoy this episode. It’s our last of 2024, so I’m wishing you all happy holidays. I hope you all get to spend some time resting and recharging – perhaps including some time in nature – and gear up for the challenges ahead. Thanks for listening.
In today’s episode, we cover:
[00:58] Manuel Pinuela's background and how he got into climate
[06:25] Cultivo and the problem that they’re solving
[09:30] Defining "degraded land" and Cultivo's target customers
[12:55] Cultivo's technology and approach
[15:11] Examples of complex nature-based solutions Cultivo works on
[23:54] The climate impact and portfolio approach of Cultivo's work
[31:19] Cultivo's progress and recent $14 million funding round
[35:09] What the nature-based solutions market needs
Invested In Climate