Indian climate-tech startup Varaha has secured $20 million in fresh funding to accelerate its mission to scale carbon removal projects across Asia, Africa, and other climate-vulnerable regions. The company focuses on nature-based carbon removal methods such as soil carbon sequestration, regenerative agriculture, and forest restoration. This new round marks a major step in Varaha’s strategy to transform how farmers, corporations, and climate markets collaborate to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Varaha plans to channel the new capital into expanding its project footprint, strengthening its technology platform, and onboarding thousands of smallholder farmers into verified carbon programs. The startup aims to build one of the largest carbon removal networks in the Global South, where agriculture and land use offer vast potential for climate mitigation. Unlike traditional offset models that rely heavily on tree planting alone, Varaha emphasizes measurable and permanent carbon removal through improved land practices.
A clear focus on soil carbon and farmers
Varaha centers its model on soil carbon sequestration. The company works directly with farmers to introduce regenerative techniques such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, and organic soil amendments. These practices improve soil health while increasing the amount of carbon stored underground. Varaha then measures and verifies this carbon capture using satellite data, field sampling, and machine learning tools.
Farmers receive direct financial incentives through carbon credit revenues, which supplement their agricultural income. This structure creates a powerful alignment between environmental outcomes and economic benefit. Varaha positions farmers not as passive participants but as climate partners who actively manage land to restore ecosystems and boost productivity.
The company believes that soil offers one of the fastest and most scalable pathways for carbon removal. Global farmland covers billions of hectares, and even small increases in soil carbon per hectare can translate into massive climate impact. Varaha’s leadership argues that technology can finally make this potential measurable and investable.
Scaling across continents
With the new $20 million investment, Varaha plans to expand operations into additional countries in Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. These regions host millions of smallholder farmers and large areas of degraded land that need restoration. Varaha already runs projects in India and parts of Africa, and the company now intends to multiply its presence through partnerships with local cooperatives, NGOs, and agri-businesses.
The expansion strategy focuses on speed and trust. Varaha trains local teams to work directly with communities and adapt programs to local crops and climates. The company also invests in digital tools that allow farmers to report practices through mobile apps, which connect to satellite-based verification systems. This combination of human relationships and advanced data infrastructure supports both accuracy and scale.
Varaha also plans to recruit more agronomists, climate scientists, and software engineers. The startup wants to deepen its research capacity so it can refine its carbon accounting models and ensure long-term credibility with global buyers.
Corporate demand drives momentum
Corporate demand for carbon removal continues to rise as companies face pressure to meet net-zero targets. Many firms now seek high-quality removal credits rather than traditional avoidance offsets. Varaha positions itself as a supplier of premium credits that meet strict scientific and ethical standards.
Large corporations in technology, manufacturing, and finance already purchase credits from nature-based projects, but concerns over transparency and permanence persist. Varaha responds to these concerns with rigorous monitoring systems and long-term contracts with farmers. The company commits to track carbon outcomes over multiple years and to replace credits if land practices fail to maintain storage levels.
This approach builds confidence among buyers who want proof of impact. Varaha also aligns its methodology with international carbon standards and emerging regulations, which strengthens its credibility in voluntary and compliance markets alike.
Technology at the core
Varaha does not rely only on fieldwork. Technology forms the backbone of its platform. The company uses satellite imagery to observe land-use changes and vegetation patterns. Machine learning models analyze this data to estimate soil carbon increases. Field teams validate these findings through soil sampling and farmer surveys.
This hybrid system allows Varaha to scale faster than traditional project developers who depend solely on manual verification. It also lowers transaction costs, which makes smallholder projects financially viable. Many climate programs struggle to include small farms because monitoring costs exceed potential revenue. Varaha flips this equation by automating much of the process.
The startup also builds dashboards for corporate buyers so they can track project performance in near real time. This transparency turns carbon credits into living assets rather than static certificates.
Economic and social impact
Beyond climate metrics, Varaha frames its mission around rural development. Farmers who join the program gain training in sustainable agriculture, access to climate-resilient techniques, and new income streams. Healthier soils lead to better water retention and higher crop yields, which strengthens food security.
Varaha’s leadership highlights the importance of dignity and agency. The company avoids treating farmers as beneficiaries of charity. Instead, it treats them as service providers who deliver measurable climate value to global markets. This model creates a direct financial bridge between multinational corporations and rural communities.
The startup also prioritizes gender inclusion and community participation. Many of its projects involve women farmers and local self-help groups. This focus reflects a belief that climate solutions must also solve development challenges to succeed at scale.
Positioning in a competitive market
The carbon removal sector attracts intense interest from investors and policymakers. Startups now compete across methods such as direct air capture, biochar, mineralization, and ocean-based solutions. Varaha stands out by targeting soil and agriculture, which offer lower costs and immediate co-benefits for livelihoods.
While high-tech solutions promise long-term breakthroughs, Varaha argues that nature-based removal can deliver results today. The company does not frame its approach as a replacement for industrial carbon capture but as a complementary path that unlocks massive land-based potential.
This positioning resonates with impact investors who want both environmental returns and social outcomes. The new funding round signals strong confidence in Varaha’s model and leadership team.
Challenges ahead
Despite momentum, Varaha faces real challenges. Soil carbon measurement remains complex and sensitive to weather, crop cycles, and farming consistency. The company must maintain scientific rigor as it scales. Any credibility gap could damage trust with buyers and regulators.
Market volatility also poses risks. Carbon prices fluctuate, and policy frameworks differ widely across countries. Varaha must navigate local laws, land ownership structures, and evolving global standards. Rapid expansion requires disciplined execution and constant quality control.
Still, the company views these challenges as opportunities to set industry benchmarks. By proving that large-scale, farmer-led carbon removal can work, Varaha aims to influence how future climate markets operate.
A signal for climate entrepreneurship
Varaha’s $20 million raise sends a strong signal about the future of climate entrepreneurship in emerging markets. Investors no longer see climate action only as a cost center. They increasingly view it as a growth sector with deep links to agriculture, technology, and finance.
This funding round also highlights India’s rising role in global climate innovation. Startups like Varaha now design solutions not just for domestic use but for worldwide deployment. The company’s expansion into Africa and Asia reflects a South-to-South model of climate collaboration.
Varaha now stands at a critical juncture. With fresh capital, advanced tools, and growing demand, the startup has an opportunity to reshape how the world removes carbon. Its success could prove that climate action can generate profit, restore ecosystems, and empower farmers at the same time.
If Varaha delivers on its vision, it will not only build a strong business but also demonstrate that large-scale carbon removal can grow from the soil up.
Also Read – Varaha: Pioneering Climate-Tech Solutions for a Sustainable Future