About us

Building a sustainable future together

The mission, rationale and the people behind Corekees

We believe in a better future

Corekees believes in a future in which economic activities actively support the planet, with sustainability going hand in hand with financial returns and a positive impact on people and the environment. Read more about our rationale here.

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Investors

11 July 2018

Launch of Corekees

On 11 July 2018, Corekees was officially launched in the Groothandelsgebouw in Rotterdam. During this gathering, the very first tree was sold, marking the start of the Corekees concept: making an impact through tangible, nature-driven investments. The idea was simple but innovative: connecting investors directly to real projects in the field, with complete transparency about impact and returns. This first sale marked the beginning of a mission to structurally combine nature restoration and financial returns.

February 2019

European Union subsidy

In early 2019, Corekees received a grant from Climate-KIC, the leading European innovation programme in the field of climate and sustainability. This recognition confirmed the relevance and potential of the Corekees model within the European climate transition. The grant was used to further professionalise the business model, improve impact measurements and set up international project structures. Climate-KIC thus acted not only as a financier, but also as a substantive sparring partner in the early growth phase.

2020

introduction of subscription model

In 2020, Corekees introduced an innovative subscription model: the tree savings plan. This made impact investing more accessible to a wider target group. Instead of a one-off investment, participants could contribute monthly to the planting and growth of trees. This model encouraged long-term commitment and made sustainable investing accessible, predictable and scalable. The tree savings plan laid the foundation for recurring investments and a close-knit community of impact investors.

YEAR 2021

First ‘Seed’ investment round successfully completed

In 2021, Corekees successfully completed its first seed investment round. This financing raised capital to expand the team, develop technology and prepare new projects. The seed round confirmed investors’ confidence in both Corekees’ mission and commercial viability. This phase marked the transition from start-up to scale-up, with a greater focus on professionalisation, governance and international growth.

2022

1,000th investor welcomed

In 2022, Corekees welcomed its 1,000th investor, a significant milestone in the platform’s growth. This milestone demonstrated that impact investing was no longer a niche activity, but was becoming increasingly mainstream. The community grew into a diverse group of individuals who consciously chose investments with measurable environmental and social impact. The trust of these investors formed a solid foundation for further project expansion.

September 2022

Launch of project 2: Elephant grass

In September 2022, the second Corekees project was launched: elephant grass in Kenya. This fast-growing crop plays an important role in soil restoration, CO₂ storage and sustainable biomass production. The project combines climate impact with local employment and knowledge transfer. With this launch, Corekees took the next step in scaling up nature-positive projects outside Europe.

March 2023

Launch of project 3: BAMBOO

March 2023 saw the launch of the bamboo project in Portugal. Bamboo is known for its rapid growth, high CO₂ absorption and versatile applications. This project focuses on sustainable production within Europe and contributes to alternatives to wood and concrete. It also serves as a demonstration project for regenerative agriculture in Southern Europe.

June 2023

LAUNCH OF PROJECT 4: AMAZONE

In June 2023, Corekees launched a project in the Brazilian Amazon aimed at forest restoration and protection of existing ecosystems. This project combines reforestation with economic prospects for local communities. By creating sustainable sources of income, deforestation is actively combated.

September 2023

LAUNCH OF PROJECT 5: BEEHIVE

In September 2023, Corekees launched a bee project in Kenya. This project focuses on biodiversity restoration, pollination, and income improvement for local farmers. Bees play a crucial role in food security and ecosystem health.

December 2023

launch of project 6: Spices

At the end of 2023, Corekees launched a spice project in Nicaragua. This agroforestry project combines the cultivation of high-quality spices with forest restoration and soil improvement. Working with small-scale farmers adds value to local supply chains.

October 2024

Launch of project 7: Peatland

The peatland project was launched in Germany in October 2024. Restoring peatlands is one of the most effective ways to reduce CO₂ emissions. This project focuses on rewetting peatlands and long-term climate impact within Europe.

December 2024

Second successful funding round

In December 2024, Corekees successfully completed a second round of financing through a combination of a Seedblink crowdfunding campaign and a private investment round. This capital injection enabled further internationalisation and project diversification.

June 2025

launch of project 8: Jackfruit

In June 2025, Corekees launched a jackfruit project in Uganda. Jackfruit is a versatile crop with great potential for food security, local processing and export.

November 2025

Launch of project 9: coco

The launch of the coco project in Indonesia will follow in November 2025. This project focuses on sustainable coconut production within regenerative agricultural systems and fair supply chains.

Nick, CEO of Corekees at the Doselva factory, one of our project partners

How we operate

Not every project becomes a Corekees project. Only a small proportion of the parties we speak to pass our selection process.

Strict selection

Projects must align with our impact strategy and meet clear financial and substantive basic requirements.

Due diligence

Projects that pass the initial selection are thoroughly screened: finances, risks and organisation. We also always visit the location to gain a good understanding of the local context. Read more about our process here.

Quality assurance

After investment, we remain involved with regular contact moments and mandatory data reports.

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Contact details

info@corekees.com
+31 (0)20 244 0311

Address

Weesperstraat 392 – 1e verdieping
1018DN, Amsterdam
Nederland

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