This Paris Startup Just Raised $1.1M to Turn Mangroves Into a Climate Solution

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-31

When we talk about fighting climate change, we often imagine shiny solar panels or massive wind turbines. But what if the real heroes are actually the muddy, tangled roots of a mangrove forest? A Paris-based startup called Apolownia is betting big on that idea, and it just secured a fresh round of funding to prove it. The company, which focuses on restoring coastal ecosystems, announced the closing of its first Seed round at €1 million (roughly $1.1 million). The investment was backed by LITA, Bpifrance, and a group of business angels and individual investors. ### Why Coastal Restoration Matters More Than Ever Here's the thing: the environmental market is going through a massive shift. It's no longer enough for companies to just cut their emissions. They're now being pushed—by regulations and public pressure—to go a step further and actually pull carbon out of the atmosphere. This means they need carbon projects that are transparent, measurable, and auditable. They want something that shows real, lasting impact on ecosystems, not just a certificate that looks good in a sustainability report. That's exactly where Apolownia steps in. The startup specializes in what's called "blue carbon"—the carbon captured by the world's coastal and marine ecosystems, like mangroves, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes. ### The Tech-Meets-Boots Approach Apolownia's model is interesting because it doesn't just plant trees and hope for the best. The company combines high-tech tools with old-fashioned ground work. On the tech side, they use: - Satellite remote sensing to monitor large areas - Geospatial analysis and advanced modeling - Drones and 3D modeling for detailed assessments - AI and digital tools for measuring, reporting, and verifying (MRV) the impact But here's the kicker: they also have local teams on the ground. They work on community engagement, biodiversity, land-tenure issues, and benefit-sharing. This dual approach means they can handle everything from start to finish, making them a single point of contact for clients. "At a time when everyone is chasing efficiency and technology has never been more accessible, it is presence on the ground that makes the difference," said Théo Derache, CEO and co-founder of Apolownia. ### Inside the BlueRizon Project Apolownia's flagship project, BlueRizon, is a mangrove restoration initiative in Indonesia. The scope is huge—targeting more than 4,000 hectares (that's nearly 10,000 acres) of restored mangrove forest. The project has already gotten more than 3,000 people involved in its implementation. And the potential impact is staggering: it could benefit over 100,000 people through climate resilience, erosion control, and adaptation to sea-level rise. The official launch is planned for the third quarter of 2026, but the groundwork is well underway. ### What the Fresh Capital Will Fund With this new funding, Apolownia has clear plans: - Scale its end-to-end model to new regions - Push BlueRizon forward toward its 2026 launch - Strengthen its structuring and deployment capacity - Invest more in science, technology, and monitoring tools The company's long-term goal is to become an international benchmark for high-integrity restoration, expanding from mangroves to seagrass meadows, coastal peatlands, and even coral reefs. Founded in 2024, Apolownia is a mission-driven company at its core. It's not just about carbon credits; it's about helping organizations transition to a sustainable future by restoring natural carbon sinks and regenerating biodiversity. In a world where climate promises are easy to make but hard to verify, Apolownia is betting that real, on-the-ground impact will be the currency of the future. And with this fresh capital, they're well-positioned to prove it.