Think Nature Raises ¥380M for Biodiversity Data

Tokyo, Japan – Think Nature, a pioneer in leveraging big data for natural capital assessment, has successfully closed a funding round totaling approximately ¥380 million. This significant capital infusion is set to accelerate the company's mission to provide critical biodiversity insights to corporations and financial institutions navigating the complexities of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks.

The investment round saw robust participation from both existing and new backers, underscoring growing confidence in Think Nature's innovative approach. Itochu Technology Ventures led the charge as the primary investor, building upon their prior support. Further backing from established stakeholders, including Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company and Okinawa Development Finance Corporation, highlights continued trust in the company's trajectory. The influx of new capital was bolstered by strategic investments from Nissay Capital, specifically through its Sustainability Issue Resolution Fund No. 1, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Investment, and SBI Shinsei Corporate Investment via its Circular Economy Nature Positive No. 1 Investment Business Limited Partnership.

Think Nature's core offering revolves around a sophisticated biodiversity big data platform. This platform aggregates and analyzes data from over 300,000 species globally, utilizing more than 150 distinct indicators. The service provides clients with detailed visualization and quantitative evaluation of their natural capital and biodiversity impact, crucial for compliance with evolving regulatory and market demands, such as the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). Their suite of tools, including offerings like “TN LEAD” and “GBNAT”, integrates terrestrial and marine field observations, satellite imagery, and socio-economic data to offer high-resolution mapping and AI-driven analysis.

The company's technology has already garnered traction with prominent Japanese corporations. Notable implementation examples include advisory services for TNFD compliance and report generation for industry leaders such as Nissin Foods Holdings, Lion, Nomura Real Estate Holdings, TOPPAN, and Tokyu Land Corporation. This demonstrates the practical application and market acceptance of Think Nature's solutions in addressing real-world sustainability challenges.

With this new funding, Think Nature plans a strategic expansion of its capabilities and market reach. Key initiatives include bolstering support for financial markets' adoption of natural capital information, particularly through collaborations with Nissay Capital and the CENP Fund. Significant investment will also be directed towards enhancing the analytical power of its biodiversity big data and AI platform, fortifying its intellectual property strategy, and preparing for international expansion, including the establishment of a new branch in Finland. Domestic operations will also be scaled, alongside a concerted effort to recruit highly specialized talent to drive innovation.

The growing emphasis on nature-positive business practices and the increasing regulatory scrutiny on biodiversity loss present a substantial market opportunity. Companies are actively seeking robust data and analytical tools to measure, manage, and report on their environmental footprint. Think Nature's platform positions it to capitalize on this trend, offering a vital solution for businesses aiming to align their strategies with global sustainability goals and investor expectations in an era where natural capital is increasingly recognized as a critical asset.