Vaisala acquires Quanterra Systems - A new chapter for carbon monitoring

From academic collaboration to global growth

Quanterra was founded in early 2021 Robert Clement, Chief Technology Officer, took part in the ICURe Explore programme in 2020 as Entrepreneurial Lead. Together with co-founders Rebecca Mitchell and Timothy Hill, they set out to address the growing demand for a robust, affordable carbon flux measurement tool.

Reflecting on the company’s journey, Rebecca Mitchell, CEO, said: “Achieving acquisition by Vaisala in just four and a half years speaks volumes about our team’s focus and the foundational support from ICURe. We rapidly moved from concept to commercial deployment across two continents. With Vaisala’s scale and shared vision, we’re poised to accelerate impact globally – proof that mission-driven entrepreneurs can deliver.”

Aligned missions: trust in nature-based solutions

Quanterra’s acquisition strengthens Vaisala’s position in ecosystem carbon monitoring, with the spin-out’s expertise in real-time flux measurement now embedded into the company’s wider global offering. Quanterra ended 2024 with over £1.2 million revenue, was EBITDA-positive and employed 14 people.

Anne Jalkala, Executive Vice President of Vaisala’s Weather, Energy and Environment business, commented: “Even though the business is in early stages, we see great potential for future growth. The planet needs a solution like this. Emission reductions alone will not be sufficient to fight climate change – we also need verified carbon sinks. Reliable measurements will also help re-establish public trust towards climate action.”
Vaisala’s Fernando Trolia Slamic, Head of the New Climate Business, added:
“Transparency and scientific proof underpin effective climate action. By integrating Quanterra’s flux measurement capabilities into our offering, we’re equipping companies and institutions with on-site, verifiable data to truly understand their climate impact. Together, we’ll scale trusted ecosystem monitoring worldwide.”

ICURe’s role: enabling commercial confidence

Quanterra will continue to operate from Exeter, expanding Vaisala’s UK footprint alongside its Birmingham office. The acquisition exemplifies how UK research, when paired with commercial validation and global alignment, can drive measurable impact on the world’s most urgent challenges.

ICURe was instrumental in helping us turn academic research into a viable business. The programme’s support enabled us to validate our technology, secure follow-on funding and build the confidence to spin out. To other founders embarking on this journey, take full advantage of ICURe’s networks and expertise – it’s a powerful springboard.

– Robert Clement , CTO, Quanterra Systems