Startup kolum receives 2.1 million euros in pre-seed financing round

2.1 million euros for Kolum: the Berlin-based startup is developing a comprehensive platform for managing CO2 pricing in international trade

Berlin, July 11, 2024 - The Berlin-based startup Kolum has raised 2.1 million euros in a pre-seed financing round. The round was led by FoodLabs, with participation from business angels from the ClimateTech, customs and B2B SaaS sectors, including Anna Alex (Outfittery, Planetly), Markus Sudhoff (Climate Founders), Markus Linder (Zoovu, Inoqo) and Janine Lampprecht (Grenzlotsen).

Funding for the further development of the platform

Kolum will use the fresh capital to further develop its product to create a carbon pricing management platform for companies of all sizes. Kolum offers an end-to-end software solution for simple and effective compliance with carbon pricing regulations in international trade. The platform helps EU companies to comply with the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulations and supports manufacturers in third countries to accurately calculate and share emissions data.

Regulatory challenges and solutions

Since 1 October 2023, EU companies importing cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilizers, electricity or hydrogen from non-EU countries must comply with CBAM regulations. These regulations require detailed data reports and impose heavy penalties for non-compliance. Kolum's software integrates with existing processes to help companies comply with the regulations and efficiently manage carbon pricing costs.

Affected organizations face major challenges in tracking their supply chain emissions and managing carbon pricing costs. Our software helps them stay compliant and manage their carbon costs efficiently.

Marius Sprenger, co-founder of Kolum

Market position and future plans

Kolum aims to become the leading platform for carbon pricing intelligence, helping customers make informed decisions that impact their cost structure based on product sourcing and location. The company plans to further scale the platform and develop new features that will enable companies worldwide to manage and optimize their carbon emissions.

Currently, there is not only a lack of reporting solutions, but also a general lack of understanding of how to report in a CBAM-compliant way. Kolum is one of the first players to fully focus on this new regulation

Patrick Noller, General Partner at FoodLabs

The startup

Kolum was founded at the end of 2023 by Helge Wieggrefe and Marius Sprenger. The company has quickly made a name for itself and is already working with major companies and consultancies in Europe. The new funding will accelerate product development and support more companies inside and outside the EU. The startup Kolum is new to the Startbase, but it seems that its business model has potential. Until the CBAM regulations are adapted in a business-friendly way, the need for efficient solutions to comply with these regulations will remain high. Kolum's comprehensive carbon pricing management platform could therefore be of great benefit to many companies.