Sylvera shining a light on carbon offset projects with Innovate UK support

Innovate UK’s Global Incubator Programme (GIP) and Sustainable Innovation Fund have been pivotal in advancing Sylvera’s internationalisation and research in carbon measurement. The company has grown rapidly, employing approximately 150 people today, with most of these hires made since receiving Innovate UK support.

Founded in 2020 by Dr Allister Furey and Sam Gill, Sylvera’s mission is to bring greater transparency and accountability to carbon markets. Its platform offers independent ratings and analysis of carbon offset projects and carbon credits, helping businesses and policymakers invest in initiatives that genuinely reduce carbon emissions.

What are carbon credits?

Carbon credits are permits that allow organisations to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. They are part of market-based strategies to reduce emissions by funding projects that capture or reduce carbon, such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives.

Supporting groundbreaking research

Sylvera won an Innovate UK Sustainable Innovation Fund grant in 2020 to push the boundaries of carbon measurement technology. The funding has significantly contributed to developing innovative methods for measuring carbon stored in natural environments, including forests and peatlands.

“Innovate UK’s Sustainable Innovation Fund grant has been transformative. It’s allowed us to pioneer new methods for carbon measurement and drive real change in our understanding of climate mitigation,” says Dr Andrew Burt, Head of Field Data Science at Sylvera.

The initial funding allowed Sylvera to undertake groundbreaking research, utilising terrestrial and airborne laser scanning (lidar) to assess forest above-ground biomass carbon. Lidar technology, which creates precise 3D maps of forests using laser pulses, has provided Sylvera with highly accurate data on carbon stocks.

A second phase of Innovate UK Sustainable Innovation funding, awarded in 2023 and bringing the total to £1.5m, is enabling Sylvera to extend its research to other natural environments, including peatlands in the UK. This latest grant supports the use of advanced sensing techniques to map carbon-rich environments more accurately.

Strategic support for internationalisation

Innovate UK Business Growth has provided Sylvera with tailored innovation and growth support, which has been critical to its global expansion. Sylvera also applied for the Global Incubator Programme (GIP) and with the wraparound support from Innovation and Growth Specialist, Nghia Tran, Sylvera successfully entered the US market.

Now, with additional offices in Belgrade and New York, Sylvera has moved to the forefront of developing accurate carbon offset ratings to help tackle climate change on a global basis.

Dr Burt adds: “The insights and connections we gained from Nghia Tran and the Global Incubator Programme were invaluable in helping us establish a strong foothold in the US market.

“This support allowed us to navigate new regulations, build a team in New York, and adapt our processes to better serve the US market, a critical region for carbon credits.”

Reflecting its potential in a growth market, Sylvera has won over £72 million in financial backing from investors such as Balderton Capital, Index Ventures, Insight Partners, LocalGlobe and Salesforce Ventures.

Contributing to the UK economy and beyond

Sylvera’s innovations are not only advancing global carbon measurement but also driving significant economic benefits in the UK. By enhancing the accuracy and reliability of carbon data, Sylvera is enabling better investment decisions in carbon credits and decarbonisation pathways, which is crucial for achieving climate goals.

The company’s growth and success align with Innovate UK’s mission to support high-growth, innovation-led businesses that enhance UK productivity and economic impact. Sylvera’s continued collaboration with Innovate UK is set to accelerate further growth, enabling the company to extend its platform’s capabilities and scale its impact globally.

The insights and connections we gained from Nghia Tran and the Global Incubator Programme were invaluable in helping us establish a strong foothold in the US market.

– Dr Andrew Burt, Head of Field Data Science at Sylvera