The Hague-based environmental data scale-up, Space4Good, has recently secured fresh funding to expand its satellite-based forest intelligence platform and bolster its global operations. The funding round was spearheaded by Arches Capital, with additional support from Empower Impact and Indigo Ventures. This investment will help Space4Good, with its unique blend of technical proficiency and a genuine commitment to improving natural ecosystems, to redefine global ecosystem monitoring and protection.
Space4Good, a social enterprise established in 2017, leverages earth observation technology to create a significant social and environmental impact. The organisation collaborates with local impact leaders to generate operational insights that enable data-driven ecosystem management. In 2024, with assistance from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Netherlands Space Office (NSO), Space4Good launched FORESTER, a subscription-based platform designed to aid forestry companies and conservation organisations in combating illegal deforestation.
FORESTER: A Revolutionary Platform for Sustainable Ecosystem Management
FORESTER provides near-real-time alerts, forecasts of deforestation risk, and streamlined reporting to aid in compliance and enforcement. By integrating multiple satellite systems, artificial intelligence (AI), and trained forest guards, the platform has significantly reduced illegal deforestation and the related monitoring expenses. Currently being tested in Indonesia and Brazil, FORESTER now oversees more than 350,000 hectares of tropical rainforest. Clients are reporting a 60 per cent decrease in deforestation rates and an 80 per cent reduction in monitoring costs, thanks to the integration of satellite-based forest intelligence.
Rutger van Zuidam of Indigo Ventures commended Space4Good’s innovative approach, stating, “Space4Good’s AI platform FORESTER is already preventing forest fires and illegal deforestation at scale. Their collaboration with rainforest engineer Willie Smits and partners in Indonesia shows an inspiring ability to co-create with clients and local stakeholders.”
How Will the Funding Be Utilised?
Space4Good intends to use the funding to expand its FORESTER platform and, in doing so, protect up to 50 million hectares of tropical rainforest through satellite-based analytics and predictive AI. The scale-up will target regions in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Furthermore, the company plans to grow its team and operations to meet the increasing demand for verifiable environmental data. It also seeks to enhance its product portfolio based on customer feedback.
Alexander Gunkel, CEO of Space4Good, expressed his enthusiasm for the investment, saying, “This investment marks a major milestone for Space4Good as it enables us to leverage 8 years of project experience into scalable and therefore more impactful products.” He added, “As we approach several ecological tipping points and exceed our planetary boundaries, the importance of protecting and regenerating our natural ecosystems is more pressing than ever. Space4Good aims to be at the forefront of this global mission by providing actionable environmental insights everywhere, anytime.”
About the Investors
Arches Capital is a Netherlands-based group of angel investors that primarily invests in Benelux B2B software firms. Empower Impact is a venture capital firm that specialises in backing B2B SaaS ventures with a focus on sustainability and impact. Indigo Ventures, led by Rutger van Zuidam, the founder of DutchChain and Odyssey, invests in purpose-driven technology ventures. These investors’ support highlights their commitment to sustainable and impactful technological ventures like Space4Good.
For more information about the recent funding and Space4Good’s expansion plans, click here.
