Mantas Mikuckas, co-founder of the second-hand clothing marketplace Vinted, is steering his investments towards a new green frontier. He’s pouring €1 million into the world of sustainable agriculture through HeavyFinance, a fintech startup based in Vilnius. The objective is to reduce the carbon footprint of farming, which currently contributes a significant 22% of global CO2 emissions. The company offers Green Loans to farmers, allowing both everyday people and big investors to participate in the emerging carbon credit market. HeavyFinance aims to produce a substantial 250,000 carbon credits by 2024 and eventually remove a massive gigaton of CO2 emissions by 2050.
Following the success in decarbonising the fashion industry, co-founder of pre-loved clothes marketplace Vinted, Mantas Mikuckas, invests 1M Eur to support the green transformation of agriculture. Debt capital will be deployed to small and medium sized farms through the climate tech specialist HeavyFinance.
Agriculture is one of the principal sources of global greenhouse gases, accounting for approximately 22% of total CO2 emissions. HeavyFinance aims to transform this sector by providing Green Loans for the shift to regenerative farming practices.
HeavyFinance’s Green Loans is a debt instrument that enables both retail and institutional investors to tap into a rapidly growing carbon credit market. Returns for investors are generated from the sale of CO2 certificates generated on the farm, as farmers taking a Green Loan do not pay an interest rate.
Laimonas Noreika, CEO and co-founder of HeavyFinance, comments: “We’re thrilled about this investment because both HeavyFinance and Mantas share a similar mantra, focusing on creating a win-win scenario for our customers and the planet. As we aim to meet the Paris Agreement targets and boost the UN SDGs initiative, it’s vital for businesses to support one another and set a global example.”
The company is set to generate 250,000 carbon credits by the end of 2024, becoming one of the largest carbon credit producers in Europe. It has set itself a target of removing 1 gigaton of CO2 emissions by 2050.
Mantas Mikuckas, co-founder of Vinted, comments: “Knowing how much effort and perseverance is needed to minimise carbon emissions in fashion, I admire how companies like HeavyFinance are championing sustainability ideas in other sectors. The urgent need for decarbonisation possesses a huge opportunity for local communities, businesses and investors.”
Click to read more investor news.
