Amsterdam-based Proba, a carbon finance company, has secured €1M in funding to expand its insetting efforts and support decarbonisation in the agri-food sector.
The investment, led by Future Food Fund and Yield Lab Europe, with ongoing support from Value Factory Ventures, will help scale verified insetting, transforming sustainability efforts into financial benefits.
Proba mentions in a statement that fertilizer-related emissions account for 5 per cent of global greenhouse gases, surpassing aviation and shipping. While solutions exist, adoption is slow. This is where Proba looks to make a difference.
Founded by Sijbrand Tieleman and Rutger Beens, the company helps agri-food businesses scale sustainable practices by creating insetting certificates, enabling supply chain partners to invest in emission reduction. Unlike offsetting, insetting cuts emissions directly within the supply chain.
Capital utilisation
Proba will use the funds to expand its insetting services, allowing agrifood businesses to finance sustainability projects and reduce emissions.
The company follows carbon accounting frameworks such as the GHG Protocol and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure impact measurement. The investment supports the shift toward sustainability in the agri-food sector.
Sijbrand Tieleman, CEO and co-founder, says, “With this investment, Proba is set to transform supply chains, turning sustainability into a benefit for agri-food leaders worldwide.”
“Decarbonisation in agriculture isn’t something companies can tackle alone. It requires shared investment, shared benefits, and real collaboration across supply chains. With the addition of two experienced agrifoodtech investors, we’re accelerating our mission to make insetting a standard tool for financing sustainability.”
What do the investors have to say?
Kim Wagenaar, Investment Director at Future Food Fund, says, “Proba is unlocking credible insetting at scale for the agri-food sector. Their ability to drive real impact, particularly in hard-to-abate fertilizer related emissions, makes them a key player in the transition to sustainable supply chains.”
Future Food Fund, a Dutch agrifoodtech VC firm founded in 2017, invests in early-stage food and agtech startups across Western Europe. Its second fund, launched in 2022, is an environmental impact fund (SFDR 9) supporting entrepreneurs focused on sustainability in the food system. The fund emphasises technology and innovation to drive changes in the food and agriculture sectors.
Daan Wilms van Kersbergen, Investment Director at Yield Lab Europe, adds, “Proba is a standout startup; real traction, real impact, and a business model that proves sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. We’re excited to be part of their journey.”
Yield Lab Europe is an impact VC fund investing in early-stage European agrifoodtech startups to improve sustainability, efficiency, and profitability in food and agriculture. It has offices in Ireland, the Netherlands, and France and has made 27 investments.
Peter Kleijwegt, Managing Partner at Value Factory Ventures, adds, “Proba exemplifies the kind of high-impact climate innovation we seek to back. Their progress in decarbonising supply chains is impressive, and we’re excited to deepen our partnership as they scale.”
“Proba also creates valuable synergies with other companies in our portfolio, strengthening our impact in agritech and climate technology.”
Value Factory Ventures invests in early-stage agritech, food, and climate startups developing deeptech solutions for climate impact and food security. The fund provides capital and hands-on support to drive innovation and sustainability.
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