Berlin-based Briink, an AI startup focused on supporting ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and sustainability teams, has raised €3.85 million in a seed round of funding. EquityPitcher Ventures and 13books Capital co-led the investment, which was further supported by existing investors, including Merantix, seed + speed Ventures, and notable angel investors.

Capital Utilization

The funding will enable Briink to enhance its AI technology, allowing human experts to focus on strategic, high-impact initiatives for a successful climate transition. The company aims to develop AI agents specifically designed for ESG professionals, enabling faster and more accurate data processing. These AI tools will assist teams in collecting, verifying, and auditing vast amounts of ESG data, an increasingly challenging task as regulations tighten.

Addressing the Need for Accurate ESG Data

According to a statement from Briink, upcoming regulations such as the European Green Deal require companies to meet stricter transparency standards, and ESG teams are facing mounting pressure to handle large volumes of data. By January 2025, over 50,000 companies in the EU will need to ensure compliance for themselves and their supply chains. Traditional data processing methods are struggling to keep up, leading to a need for more advanced solutions.

Briink's Solution

Based at the AI Campus in Berlin, Briink develops AI-driven solutions for ESG and sustainability teams, automating the audit and verification of ESG data to ensure transparency and regulatory compliance. The company serves over 40 enterprise clients, including major corporations and advisory firms, by using domain-specific AI and LLMs to enhance ESG data benchmarking and verification.

Expert Insights

Tomas van der Heijden, co-founder and CEO of Briink, says, "ESG professionals face a critical challenge: auditing and verifying vast amounts of data in a landscape still plagued by opacity and greenwashing. High-quality, audited ESG data is essential to the climate transition, but manual processes and fragmented standards often compromise accuracy."

Spencer Lake, Partner at 13books Capital, adds, "As we transition to a more sustainable future, there is no question that we need constructively creative AI platforms like Briink, to create tangible impact. For funds, corporates and their supply chains, Briink is the go-to solution providing transparency and ensuring they remain compliant with the onslaught of ESG regulations."

Impact and Future Plans

The investment will propel Briink forward in its mission to build the world's first AI agents specifically designed for ESG teams. The company aims to revolutionize the ESG space by providing reliable and actionable data, enabling companies to make better decisions at scale.

By freeing sustainability teams from manual processes and enabling them to focus on strategic impact, Briink is not just accelerating workflows but shaping the future of ESG. With this funding, the company is well-positioned to drive meaningful impact on its mission-critical journey.

Briink's seed funding is a significant step forward for the ESG and sustainability landscape. As the demand for accurate ESG data continues to grow, the company's AI-driven solutions will play a crucial role in supporting companies in their transition to a more sustainable future.