Amsterdam startup Proba announced this morning that it has raised €1.25 million from existing investors. According to the press release, the company is “a startup that certifies Scope 3 emissions reductions in the agri-food value chain.”
Do you get it? We don’t—at least not entirely. But that’s probably on us. Fortunately, Sijbrand Tieleman, CEO and co-founder of Proba, is more than happy to explain his contribution to the climate cause.
Top of the food chain
Are we bothering him? “Not at all!” Tieleman replies when we call. The climate entrepreneur has had a hectic period, but he’s in good spirits. “The money will hit the account this afternoon. That’s when it’s time for a modest drink.”
So we quickly move on to the substance: what exactly does Proba do? “You’re certainly not the first to ask,” Tieleman laughs. “What we want is to help large food companies make their value chains more sustainable.”
However elusive the Nestlés and Unilevers of this world may seem, many products still start with farmers. A sip of sugary cola can be traced back to sugarcane farmers in South America. Or a triangular chip from a generic house brand (for legal purposes) to a mega-ranch in Texas.
And those farmers emit massive amounts of CO₂, largely due to the use of artificial fertilizers. “Large food companies do want to become more sustainable, but that requires working together with farmers. And of course, those farmers aren’t keen on picking up the bill.” By making emissions at farm level measurable, financeable, and reportable, Tieleman hopes to correct this imbalance between farmers and big agri-business.
Taking it to the field
How does a Dutch entrepreneur end up operating on such a global stage? “Not to sound macho,” Tieleman says hesitantly, “but I’ve always wanted to contribute something to the climate. I came across the world of CO₂ financing and started diving into those value chains. The enormous emissions and global position of food processors mean there’s still a lot to be gained in this market.”
That led to the founding of Proba in 2022. Early investors (Future Food Fund, The Yield Lab, and Value Factory Ventures) have once again opened their wallets in this round. Tieleman is reluctant to say much about what they receive in return, but he does confirm that he and co-founder Rutger Beens still own nearly half of the shares.
For now, Tieleman is mainly looking to expand in Brazil and the United States—armed with solid scientific expertise, a satisfied client base, and €1.25 million in fresh capital.
International ambitions
That will likely require quite a few air miles from the Amsterdam-based team of eleven. Is that really conducive to the climate transition? “The food market is indeed a global market,” Tieleman admits with a laugh. But everything has been considered: “With the new funding, we’re exploring the possibility of opening an overseas office, so we can serve the market locally.”
