Jason Scherpenisse, co-founder and Leader of Product Development.

Jason Scherpenisse, co-founder and Leader of Product Development.

1. Tell me a bit about your role at eGreen and your background in the field.

eGreen is a climate tech company that facilitates access to high-quality, data-driven carbon credits from developing countries through web3 technology. We aim to transform a fragmented and opaque market with an insufficient supply of carbon credits to meet global demand.

Our target is global carbon reduction where it matters most, helping companies manage their carbon footprint and assisting project owners in issuing high-quality, data-driven carbon credits. We leverage blockchain to provide transparent tools for both supply and demand without the need for intermediaries.

As a co-founder, I lead eGreen's product development and provide guidance in other strategic areas. My experience includes managing innovation in climate tech and large-scale digitization of services such as business registration and permits, incorporating key components like digital identity and electronic signatures.

Throughout my career, I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit, even while working in large corporations, consistently involved in innovative and technological projects. I've led R&D portfolios and investment portfolios, and most of my initiatives have coincidentally aligned with Sustainable Development Goals. During the time I was developing my electric vehicle startup, I met Andrés González and discovered the beautiful idea of addressing the carbon credit market.

2. What was the inspiration behind creating eGreen, and what is its primary mission in the climate fintech sector?

Global warming is an undeniable fact, and the planet needs to eliminate 32 gigatons annually by 2033 to prevent a 1.5ºC increase. Our goal is to remove 1 gigaton of CO2 annually from 2033 onwards by facilitating the supply of carbon credits, also known as carbon removals, from developing countries. The market urgently needs transparency, traceability, and equity throughout the supply chain. We aim to ensure that those working in conservation, reforestation, soil regeneration, biochar, and blue carbon receive fair compensation for their incredible work in capturing CO2 and have the means to accelerate their vital efforts.

Surprisingly, we've heard stories of conservation projects in Peru receiving as little as USD$1 for carbon credits sold for much more than USD$20. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact and leverage technology to create digital assets for investment backed by real captured CO2, one ton at a time. Blockchain provides transparency, traceability, and open access to data, enabling companies to trust the quality of carbon credits and project owners to receive fair payment, encouraging reinvestment and creating a virtuous cycle.

eGreen was born to solve significant problems. Meeting Andrés González while involved in my other electric vehicle startup in Chile, I was immediately motivated by eGreen's vision and mission. The core values of eGreen resonated with me, and upon meeting the rest of the team, I realized their strong commitment. We have an incredible team of entrepreneurs, including Andrés González, who founded the first digital supermarket in Latam, Gerhard Huber, founder of First-e (Europe's first unicorn), and Rodrigo Vega, a visionary in mountain sports technology, along with a group of technologists and scientists committed to making a positive impact on our planet.

eGreen had been observing the market for some time, measuring CO2 emissions from websites and helping airlines and retail companies measure and offset their emissions. After several iterations and pivots, we realized the need to digitize carbon credits and make them available on a platform for buyers and sellers. So, we said, let's put them on the blockchain, loading all project data and issued credits one-to-one, allowing anyone to see and decide whether to verify themselves or through a third party. Accelerated by Techstars Sustainability Paris last year, we've gained significant traction and success since then.

3. How does eGreen use blockchain technology to enhance carbon management, and what innovations does it bring to the climate fintech sector?

Blockchain provides transparency, traceability, and open access to data, ultimately helping companies buying carbon credits to understand and trust the developments of projects that supply them. This fosters fair trade and a virtuous cycle overall. eGreen has already helped companies measure and manage their carbon footprint using the Stellar© blockchain technology, known for its low energy consumption.

eGreen also ensures supply and demand by providing high-quality, data-driven carbon credits for purchase and offsetting on the blockchain. Specifically, we have tokenized carbon credits to facilitate and expedite trading. This allows buyers, investors, regulatory authorities, and anyone interested to see exactly which project each carbon credit comes from, including data from sensors measuring captured carbon.

Currently, we are even helping project owners and developers install technologies such as satellite imagery, LIDAR, and sensors to measure and demonstrate real-time carbon capture, "uploading" their carbon credit inventory to the blockchain. Our initial projects come from conservation efforts in Patagonia and other locations throughout Latin America, with upcoming projects in Africa.

What have been the biggest challenges in establishing a company in the Climate Fintech niche, and how have you overcome them?

Today, everyone understands the need to address global warming, although agreements on how to do so are still in progress. It has always been challenging for climate tech companies to succeed, especially years ago when there was less global understanding and communication about the problem. Climate technologies have always struggled against ideology and belief, having to educate even on the most basic terminology in our field. Therefore, we've always had a tough journey, and naturally, climate tech is resilient, regardless of the industry, market, or ups and downs.