MiON Forest

MiON Forest Inc. operates as a climate technology firm with a specialized focus on large-scale reforestation. The company was co-founded by Sanghyun Kim and Naharin Sultana Anni. Kim, a forest ecologist with a background in biotechnology and research experience in Korea, Sweden, and Canada, was driven to establish the company after observing the inefficiencies of conventional tree-planting methods. Based in Hamilton, Ontario, the venture gained early traction through support from the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, notably McMaster University. Participation in the university's "Startup Survivor" competition provided foundational resources, including funding and mentorship, which was later supplemented by a federal IDEA Fund grant and recognition as one of Canada's Top Student Entrepreneurs for 2025.

The company's business model centers on providing technologically advanced reforestation services designed to be more efficient and yield higher plant survival rates than traditional manual planting. MiON Forest addresses the challenges of labor shortages and difficult-to-access terrain by deploying an integrated system of proprietary technologies. This system includes drones designed to plant actual seedlings rather than just scattering seeds, biodegradable "MiON Pots" that protect young trees, and a soil microbiome activator to improve resilience against drought and disease. This approach makes reforestation in remote and hazardous areas feasible. The operational strategy is further enhanced by Smart Planting AI, which uses image sensing and machine learning to optimize planting patterns for maximum efficiency and survival.

MiON Forest's clients and partners include organizations involved in ecological restoration and forestry. The company is engaged in pilot projects across Ontario, Quebec, and Michigan, tackling challenging landscapes and turning ambitious restoration goals into tangible outcomes. One such collaboration involves working with Genesis Eco Farm and Forests Ontario on a restoration project for White Spruce seedlings. Revenue is generated through these large-scale planting projects, which are positioned as being significantly faster and more cost-effective than manual alternatives. By focusing on mixed-species, native planting and improving seedling survival rates by up to 50%, MiON Forest offers a scalable solution to combat deforestation and land degradation.

Keywords: reforestation technology, tree planting drones, soil microbiome activator, forest restoration, ecological restoration, climate tech, sustainable forestry, seedling survival, Sanghyun Kim, McMaster University, automated planting, environmental technology, land degradation solutions, precision forestry, biodegradable pots, Smart Planting AI, drone-based planting, ecosystem regeneration, afforestation services, Canadian climate tech