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Terraton’s Franchise Model: Transforming Biochar Into a New Business Frontier

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

August 28, 2025

Innovating the Biochar Industry

Terraton is reimagining the landscape of sustainable agriculture by applying a proven franchise model to biochar production. Drawing inspiration from McDonald’s operational blueprint, the company packages its technology into a turnkey “business-in-a-box” approach. With this model, franchisees receive equipment, marketing tools, and an operating manual, enabling them to convert agricultural waste into a carbon dioxide-sequestering fertilizer with precision and efficiency.

Capitalizing on Strategic Investments

The company recently secured an $11.5 million seed round led by Lowercarbon Capital and Gigascale Capital, with notable participation from ANA Future Frontier Fund, the Takanawa Gateway Global Co-Benefits Fund, and influential angel investors such as Google’s Jeff Dean and OpenAI board member Bret Taylor. This capital influx underscores investor confidence in Terraton’s ambitious plan to replicate successful biochar facilities. By engineering a scalable franchise blueprint, Terraton is set to bridge the supply gap currently hampering the burgeoning biochar market.

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Leveraging Advanced Technology and Local Expertise

Biochar technology, which involves burning plant waste in an oxygen-deprived environment to yield a carbon-rich soil additive, has long been recognized for its dual benefits of carbon sequestration and soil improvement. Despite its proven efficacy, the sector has struggled with supply constraints. Terraton’s approach addresses this challenge by building multiple localized facilities, thereby minimizing transportation costs and ensuring proximity to agricultural waste sources.

Empowering Local Communities and Meeting Global Demand

Already operational in Ghana and Kenya, Terraton’s facilities are designed in collaboration with local businesses that possess essential relationships with regional farmers. According to CEO Kevin Gibbs, fostering local ownership not only builds community trust but also enhances operational success. Furthermore, the incorporation of SaaS components for plant management, carbon credit verification, and monetization positions Terraton as a pioneering force in aligning sustainable practices with industrial-scale demand from major corporations such as Microsoft, Google, and Airbus.

The company’s strategic outlook and robust financial backing indicate a promising future for biochar as a scalable and sustainable solution. As Terraton continues to execute its franchise model, the potential for widespread adoption could significantly alter the dynamics of carbon capture technology and agricultural productivity worldwide.

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FinTech’s Dominance In MENA: Three Strategic Drivers Behind Unyielding VC Success

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 11, 2025

Despite facing tightening global liquidity and macroeconomic headwinds, the FinTech sector continues to assert its leadership in the MENA region. In the first half of 2025, FinTech emerged as the most resilient and appealing arena for venture capital investments, proving its worth as a catalyst for financial innovation and inclusion.

Addressing Structural Financial Gaps

In many parts of MENA, a significant proportion of the population remains underbanked and underserved by traditional financial institutions. FinTech companies are uniquely positioned to address these persistent challenges by bridging critical access gaps and driving financial inclusion. With the proliferation of payment apps, digital wallets, and micro-lending platforms, investors have witnessed firsthand how these solutions pave the way for scalable growth and eventual exits. Early-stage momentum in the region is underscored by a doubling of pre-seed deals year-over-year, reinforcing the sector’s capacity for rapid innovation and sustainable expansion.

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Highly Scalable and Replicable Business Models

One of the key factors behind FinTech’s dominance is the inherent scalability of its business models. Once the necessary infrastructure and regulatory approvals are in place, these models have demonstrated robust performance across borders. The first half of 2025 saw a marked acceleration in deal activity, with payment solutions leading the charge with 28 deals in MENA—a significant increase over the previous year. Lending platforms, in particular, experienced a meteoric 500% year-over-year increase in funding, emerging as the fastest-growing subindustry. Such replicability makes FinTech an attractive proposition for investors seeking high-growth opportunities in diverse markets.

Supportive Regulatory And Government Backing

The strategic support offered by key government initiatives in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has been instrumental in propelling the FinTech sector forward. Progressive frameworks, such as the UAE’s open finance and digital asset directives, coupled with Saudi Arabia’s live-testing sandboxes, have materially lowered entry barriers for startups. These measures not only foster innovation but also streamline the path to commercialization. Consequently, the combined efforts of these regulatory bodies have enabled the UAE and Saudi Arabia to account for 86% of MENA’s total FinTech funding in H1 2025.

The resilience of FinTech in MENA is not merely a reflection of contemporary market trends—it signals a fundamental shift in the region’s economic fabric. With an unwavering commitment to addressing real financial challenges, scalable and replicable business practices, and robust regulatory support, FinTech is setting the benchmark for sustainable innovation. As capital markets become increasingly discerning, this sector stands out as a beacon of long-term growth and transformative impact.