Funding news · Sep 17, 2026
Biochar Industrial Group Raises $1.5M Pre-Seed Led by Breega
Biochar Industrial Group Closes $1.5M Pre-Seed
Biochar Industrial Group (BIG), a climate-tech company focused on converting agricultural waste into carbon-removal credits and soil-improving biochar, has raised a $1.5 million pre-seed round. The round was led by Breega, with participation from Catalyst Fund.
What Biochar Industrial Group Does
Biochar Industrial Group turns agricultural waste from African food-processing factories into carbon-removal credits and soil-improving biochar. The company operates under a Biochar-as-a-Service model, in which it finances, installs, and operates pyrolysis equipment on-site at partner facilities.
The process converts residues such as nut shells, husks, and sawdust into biochar. BIG then shares carbon-credit revenue with the waste-supplying processor, aligning incentives between the company and its partners.
Company Background
Founded in 2026 by former Releaf Earth executives, Biochar Industrial Group is based in Nigeria. The company selects partner sites across Africa based on biomass availability, targeting food-processing operations that generate consistent volumes of organic residues.
Funding Details
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Round Type | Pre-Seed |
| Amount | $1,500,000 USD |
| Date | September 17, 2026 |
| Lead Investor | Breega |
| Participating Investors | Catalyst Fund |
The Biochar-as-a-Service Model
BIG's model is designed to remove upfront capital barriers for food processors. Rather than requiring partners to purchase and operate pyrolysis equipment themselves, BIG finances, installs, and operates the equipment on-site. This approach allows processors to turn a waste-disposal cost into a revenue stream through shared carbon-credit proceeds.
The model also gives BIG control over operations and quality, which matters for generating verifiable carbon-removal credits. By co-locating equipment with waste sources, the company reduces logistics costs and ensures a steady feedstock supply.
Why This Matters for the Market
Carbon-removal credits are an increasingly important tool for companies seeking to offset emissions, and biochar is one of the more established pathways for durable carbon removal. At the same time, biochar offers soil benefits that can improve agricultural productivity.
BIG's focus on African food-processing factories positions it in a region with abundant agricultural residues and growing demand for climate solutions. Selecting sites based on biomass availability suggests a disciplined, resource-first approach to expansion.
Acquisition Angle
For strategic acquirers, Biochar Industrial Group offers a distributed, service-based model for carbon removal with built-in feedstock partnerships. The company's revenue-sharing structure with processors creates recurring carbon-credit streams and operational relationships that could be difficult to replicate quickly.
Potential acquirers could include carbon-removal platforms, climate infrastructure funds, or agricultural input companies looking to add carbon-credit generation and soil-health products to their portfolios. The founding team's prior experience at Releaf Earth adds relevant operating background in African agricultural supply chains.
About the Investors
Breega led the pre-seed round, joined by Catalyst Fund. The combination of a European venture firm and an Africa-focused impact investor reflects the cross-border nature of BIG's business and the climate-tech thesis behind the raise.