Kenyan Climate Startup Bio-Logical Secures $1.3 Million to Boost Biochar Production

Bio-Logical, a climate-focused startup from Kenya, has landed $1.3 million in funding to expand its biochar facility on Mount Kenya. This expansion aims to boost production and support smallholder farmers in Kenya.

The funding round was led by CrossBoundary, Redshaw Advisors, and existing investors, including the Steyn Group. Rory Buckworth, the co-CEO of Bio-Logical, stated that this funding is a significant milestone. It will help them scale up their Mount Kenya facility and plan for three new sites across Kenya in the next 18 months.

Back in November 2023, Bio-Logical raised $1 million in seed funding for its first site. The company aims to support 1 million smallholder farmers and sequester 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually by 2030.

Founded in 2022 by Rory Buckworth and Philip Hunter, Bio-Logical uses technology to convert agricultural waste into biochar, a carbon-sequestering fertiliser. This fertiliser not only helps the environment but also boosts crop yields and improves climate resilience for Kenyan farmers.

Philip Hunter emphasized that their work goes beyond carbon sequestration. They produce affordable fertiliser that regenerates soil and enhances climate resilience for farmers who are disproportionately affected by climate change.

Louis Redshaw, CEO of Redshaw Advisors, expressed his excitement about supporting Bio-Logical. He highlighted that this investment will create high-quality carbon removal credits and benefit farmers in need of climate solutions.

According to Africa startup funding data tracker The Big Deal, African climate tech startups have raised $325 million so far in 2024. Over the past five years, climate tech funding has grown significantly, from $340 million in 2019 to $1.1 billion in 2023. Kenya leads in climate tech startup funding in Africa, accounting for 53% of the total, followed by Nigeria and Ghana with 11% and 9%, respectively.

Between 2019 and 2023, Kenya also had the highest number of climate tech startups that raised over $100,000.