Latest news with #LaimonasNoreika
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Key Carbon & InSoil Announce Milestone €100M Partnership for European Farmers Pursuing Regenerative Agriculture
Through the partnership, Key Carbon has the right to invest over €100 million into InSoil's zero-interest Green Loans, providing vital financing to small and medium-sized farms transitioning to regenerative agricultural practices over the next several years. In a royalty agreement, InSoil has received a €3.7 million investment from Key Carbon to scale its operations across one million hectares of European farmland by 2026, enabling the sequestration of over 35 million tonnes of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This milestone marks InSoil's (formerly HeavyFinance) largest funding to date and is one of Europe's largest financial commitments to climate-resilient farming practices. VILNIUS, Lithuania and VANCOUVER, BC, June 11, 2025 /CNW/ - InSoil, a climate finance company, and Key Carbon, a leading financier within the voluntary carbon market, have entered into a €100 million agreement to enable climate-critical transitions to regenerative agriculture across one million hectares of European farmland. The multi-year partnership, InSoil's largest raise to date and one of Europe's largest financial commitments to climate-resilient farming, grants Key Carbon royalty rights to InSoil's Green Loans financing model, which offers zero-interest loans to farmers adopting regenerative agricultural practices in return for a fixed share of carbon credits. In addition, Key Carbon's subsidiary, EU Soil Carbon Corp, will fund the expansion of InSoil's carbon farming business, which provides farmers with further technical and financial support in implementing regenerative practices. "As farmers across Europe face headwinds from climate change and global regulatory dynamics, financial and agronomic support from projects like these are critical to achieving the systemic shifts that achieve real impact in carbon sequestration and a more resilient food system that doesn't leave the stewards of our lands in the dust," said Laimonas Noreika, CEO of InSoil. "Through this agreement with Key Carbon, we will be able to reach more farmers, accelerate climate-positive outcomes, and deliver the kind of high-integrity credits the carbon market increasingly demands. As institutional interest in nature-based solutions continues to grow, our work with Key Carbon will represent a model for blending sustainable finance with climate impact, and turning soil into both a climate solution and a revenue stream for European farmers." Luke Leslie, CEO of Key Carbon, said: "Corporate appetite for carbon credits is increasingly shifting towards high-integrity, removal-based and localised solutions to meet the evolving compliance standards. Our partnership with InSoil will provide increased access to funding for farmers, enabling the transition to regenerative agriculture and growing Key Carbon's supply of high-quality carbon credits. With its deep agronomic expertise and strong local networks, InSoil is uniquely positioned to deliver meaningful environmental outcomes and ensure the integrity of carbon credit generation. The partnership will also provide Key Carbon with access to millions of hectares of European farmland with the potential to deliver additional biodiversity monitoring." With conventional agriculture accounting for more than 20% of global emissions and soil seen as a critical carbon sink, this collaboration aims to unlock funds that help farmers generate high-quality, nature-based carbon credits that are scientifically validated and third-party verified in alignment with the EU Carbon Removals Certification Framework (CRCF). As farmers transition to practices that align with regenerative agriculture principles (those that increase biodiversity, build soil health, and improve water cycles, resulting in more carbon drawdown and greater resilience to extreme weather events), InSoil's Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) framework is deployed to ensure accurate, transparent, and high-integrity carbon credit generation. These approaches include laboratory-grade soil sampling, advanced remote sensing technologies, expert agronomic assessments, and additional data-driven methodologies. While InSoil's private debt arm has already deployed over €80 million in financing to over 3,000 farmers, this funding from Key Carbon will enable European farmers to regenerate their lands; benefit from diversified revenue opportunities through carbon credit generation; and establish productive and profitable agricultural operations into the future. Cobalt and Abatable advised InSoil on the transaction. Philip Lee and Sorainen provided legal advice to Key Carbon. About InSoil: InSoil (formerly HeavyFinance) is a climate finance company accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture across Europe. With a strong emphasis on soil health and carbon sequestration, InSoil supports farmers through medium-term financing, expert agrotechnical guidance, and advanced soil and emissions monitoring technologies. This integrated approach enables farmers to adopt sustainable practices and generate high-integrity carbon credits, creating new revenue streams while building climate resilience in agriculture. For more information, please visit our website at subscribe to our Carbon Monthly newsletter, and follow us on LinkedIn. About Key Carbon Founded in 2021, Key Carbon is a permanent capital vehicle building a large, diversified portfolio of high-integrity carbon credit streams and royalties for corporates and other organisations on their journey to Net Zero. To date, the company has financed 25 projects in 15 countries, resulting in the removal or avoidance of over 41 million tonnes of carbon and the planting of 3.75 million trees. Key Carbon has also built the largest pan-African clean cooking developer, Global Cookstoves, and funded the distribution of cookstoves to an estimated 7.5 million people. The company is on a mission to help combat climate change, improve local biodiversity, soil health, and water quality, and benefit some of the world's most vulnerable communities. For further information, please visit our website at Forward Looking Statements Forward-Looking Statements This release contains certain "forward looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as "defined under applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on the information currently available. Readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
20 Benefits Of Having An Advisory Board For Your Business
Business leaders today face both common and new challenges as the business landscape continues to evolve. Rather than attempting to go it alone and navigate problems as they arise, building an advisory board is one proactive way leaders can reduce risk and rely on the expertise of those who have battled and overcome these challenges before. However, some leaders may be hesitant to invite outside voices to the table. To help, 20 Forbes Business Council members share the potential benefits of having an advisory board for a business, as well as why companies should want one. An advisory board helps create an organized framework to think through and creatively debate strategic initiatives. I recommend structuring the advisory board with two or three people per subject matter expertise. For example, you can have two people who are focused on talent, two who are focused on technology and cybersecurity, and two who are focused on strategic acquisitions and integration. - Brett Hickey, Star Mountain Capital As much as I'd love to be a one-man army, no one can truly be an expert in everything. It's important to stay humble and recognize that different perspectives are invaluable. An advisory board allows us to tap into expertise we don't have in-house, and that's how we can navigate complex challenges effectively. Even the best farmers know when to call in extra hands to make the harvest successful. - Laimonas Noreika, InSoil Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify? An advisory board gives your business the gift of perspective. It brings fresh eyes, seasoned insight and a healthy dose of challenge to your thinking without the internal politics. As a keynote speaker, I often see how the right advisors help leaders make braver, better decisions by widening the lens. It's not about having more voices; it's about having the right voices. - David Meade, While advisory boards are always valuable to a business, they mean different things depending on its stage of growth and maturity. Early ventures gain credibility and strategic insights from industry experts. In contrast, mature companies benefit from advisors with operational, financial or HR expertise to help manage and scale growth. - Thomas Burgess, Snipp Interactive A key benefit of having an advisory board is the trust it builds and the strategic guidance you receive. At my company, our oversight advisory board ensures that we are governed by transparency, integrity and reliability. Their independent guidance strengthens our decision making and reassures clients that we're committed to doing business the right way. - Jack Hayes, Champions Speakers Agency When advising clients who may one day find themselves under close scrutiny, I encourage recruiting an advisory board that reflects the community they serve. Advisory board members will ideally reflect the breadth of experiences the client's business might impact. This expertise naturally guides the client to better serve their company while also benefiting their community. - Tina Wallis, Law Offices of Tina Wallis, Inc. An advisory board brings the benefit of distance. They are not in the weeds, so they see the bigger picture. They can offer clarity when decisions get clouded and confidence when the stakes are high. For any company aiming to grow with intention, a board is a way to borrow experience you have not yet earned and avoid mistakes you never have to make. - Brett Husak, PayBlox It was important for me to have an advisory board because they were able to see our business from the outside and reaffirm some of our strategies and beliefs. However, it was even more important when they challenged or completely disagreed with me. There is no replacement for sober feedback in business. It's life-saving! - Neven Dilkov, Neterra EOOD An advisory board offers strategic foresight. It challenges internal echo chambers and legacy bias by introducing external, independent thinking. For businesses facing rapid change or complex markets, this input is critical to staying competitive, spotting emerging risks and making informed, future-focused decisions that preserve both agility and vision. - Radu Magdin, SMARTLINK COMMUNICATIONS Formal boards are bound by duty and propriety, while informal advisory boards have no set duties. Leaders may call on specific members at various times to hear their honest takes on whatever the topic. - Arar Han, Sabot Family Companies Having an advisory board will correct your tendency to repeat mistakes. While most founders learn painfully through a process of trial and error, the savvy ones leverage advisors to absorb decades of expensive lessons without paying the tuition of personal experience. You'll also attract exceptional talent who avoid board directorships due to liability concerns. - David Goldstein, 9% Club One specific benefit is the strategic guidance our advisory board provides in aligning our initiatives with the evolving needs of stakeholders, such as industry, education and workforce development. Our advisory board brings together diverse leaders who offer critical insights, foster cross-sector collaboration and help ensure our efforts are both forward-looking and grounded in practical impact. - Eva Mitchell, Coalition for Career Development Center One unique benefit of having an advisory board is using it as a real-time research and development lab for strategic ideas. It's a dynamic, judgment-free zone for leaders to test bold concepts, controversial pivots or unconventional growth plays with seasoned minds. It's a low-cost, low-risk, high-impact way to de-risk innovation and pressure-test your next major move before going all in. - Ines Nasri, WebPower USA LLC If done correctly, an advisory board can deliver a free flow of information about your business, along with uncomfortable truths that lead to great results for your company. The key to success with this strategy is to assemble advisors who will tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear. - Todd Villeneuve, IFC National Marketing Advisors give you access to experienced input without adding full-time costs. The value is in their ability to spot risks early and stress-test decisions based on real experience. They can help you navigate challenges faster and avoid common execution traps. It is a focused way to strengthen your strategy while staying lean and in control. - Zain Jaffer, Zain Ventures Outside experts on an advisory board can give you new ideas and special knowledge to help with business choices. Companies often want advisory boards to help with things they don't know much about, like tech or marketing, without having to hire expensive full-time workers. Advisory boards also help you meet useful people who might become business partners, customers or investors. - Vikrant Shaurya, Authors On Mission An advisory board gives you access to their black book, facilitating introductions to partners, investors and customers you'd otherwise struggle to reach. These warm doors can accelerate growth, shorten sales cycles and unlock strategic opportunities that cold outreach or paid ads rarely can. - Henry McIntosh, Twenty One Twelve Marketing True growth doesn't come from yes-men—it comes from voices that challenge and elevate you. The right advisory board pushes me to think bigger, spot what I can't see and move faster with clarity. Rather than advice, it's about having strategic minds invested in helping you win. That's how you turn ambition into real, scalable impact. - Lyubov Artemenko, GO TO-U One specific benefit of having an advisory board is access to diverse expertise and perspectives that can enhance strategic decision making. An advisory board typically comprises individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences. This diversity can lead to more informed decisions, innovative solutions and, ultimately, better business outcomes. - Veena Jetti, Vive Funds Unlike traditional governance bodies, advisory boards don't have to be as focused on efficiency and cost savings. Their charter is to think big. When leadership truly respects and trusts the directors, an advisory board can help flesh out a bold vision and find new paths for success. The outside perspective cuts down on negative bias and assumptions that can harm creativity. - Matt Cullina, CyberScout, a TransUnion Brand
