kolum.earth

Kolum.earth, a Berlin-based startup founded in late 2023, provides a specialized software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform designed to help companies navigate the complexities of the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The company was established by Helge Wieggreffe and Marius Sprenger. Wieggrefe's background includes doctoral research on the legal implications of the EU CBAM, which began in 2021, while Sprenger holds a doctorate in information systems. The founders' journey started after Wieggrefe conducted webinars for affected companies and identified significant market challenges, leading him to partner with Sprenger to create a technical solution.

The firm targets EU-based companies that import goods such as cement, steel, aluminum, fertilizers, electricity, and hydrogen, which are subject to CBAM regulations. Its business model is centered on providing a B2B software solution that automates and simplifies compliance. The platform enables clients to manage and classify their imports, automatically calculate embedded emissions, request and collect emissions data directly from their suppliers, and generate the required quarterly CBAM reports for submission to EU authorities. A key feature is a free tool for non-EU suppliers to provide their emissions data, reducing barriers within the supply chain. Kolum.earth operates in the climate tech and supply chain compliance market, addressing the growing need for specialized solutions since the CBAM regulations were introduced in October 2023.

In July 2024, the company secured €2.1 million in a pre-seed funding round led by FoodLabs, with participation from angel investors specializing in ClimateTech, Customs, and B2B SaaS. This capital is intended to accelerate product development and expand its support for companies both within and outside the EU. The company launched its first product in a closed beta in January 2024 and is already working with large enterprises and consultancies. By automating the entire process, from data collection to reporting, the platform helps businesses avoid potential penalties for non-compliance and gain transparency into their supply chain's carbon footprint.

Keywords: CBAM compliance, carbon accounting, emissions reporting, supply chain compliance, regulatory technology, RegTech, climate tech, B2B SaaS, EU importers, carbon border tax, emissions data management, sustainable supply chain, green logistics, environmental compliance, carbon pricing, trade compliance, import regulations, sustainability software, decarbonization, carbon footprint tracking