Sustainable NFT project Ecosapiens has secured $3.5 million in seed funding to grow its carbon-offsetting NFT collection.
The project aims to introduce a more eco-friendly aspect to blockchain collectibles and promote sustainability in the digital art world.
Prominent investors such as digital fashion firm 9dcc founder Gmoney, Coinbase Ventures head of corporate development and VP Shan Aggrawal and Moonbirds former COO Ryan Carson, among others, participated in the funding round led by Web3 venture fund Collab + Currency.
Ecosapiens offers nature-inspired avatars as a way for collectors to offset their carbon emissions. In addition, Ecosapien owners can purchase extra carbon credits to upgrade their NFT and obtain exclusive features.
Project co-founder Nihar Neelakanti explained that his motivation is to contribute to environmental causes. In this regard, Ecosapiens employs gamification to encourage environmental engagement, allowing investors to participate in climate action while earning incentives.
Neelakanti said the team is working towards making carbon removal and sustainability effortless, enjoyable and interactive.
“Thanks to Collab+Currency and our other partners’ support, we’ll be able to scale our workforce, build out our community and our offerings, and empower people to show our planet some love by offsetting their entire annual carbon footprint.”
Nihar Neelakanti, Ecosapiens project co-founder
Neelakanti plans to use the funding to expand the Ecosapiens marketplace, explore various minting strategies such as open editions and establish brand partnerships to extend the project’s reach within Web3.
Paving way for more sustainable future
Per OpenSea data, Ecosapien’s Alpha Collection — released in February — currently has a starting price of 0.055 ether (ETH), equivalent to approximately $100. As for the collection’s trading volume, it is around 18 ETH (roughly $32,300). As of now, the collection claims to have offset more than 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide — equal to planting 40,000 trees.
“What if we could take carbon credits that actually made a big impact in the world, bring them on-chain to make it one-click accessible, but, really, just disguise these credits as the perfect signaling art piece?” Neelakanti said. “In that way, it’s easy, economical and engaging to make a difference.”
The Ecosapiens project exemplifies how blockchain technology and environmental sustainability are coming together. Its goal is to offer a new method for collectors and enthusiasts to contribute positively to the environment by combining carbon offset initiatives with the popularity of NFTs.
As part of the community, members can use energy-efficient products and advocate for the shift towards a sustainable economy.
Ecosapiens also showcases the potential for blockchain technology to contribute to tackling global issues such as climate change. In light of the pressing need to lower carbon emissions, creative solutions like Ecosapiens could serve as a practical approach to combating climate change.
“They’re making it easy for individuals from any background – art lovers, NFT collectors, environmentalists, you name it – to make environmental sustainability a byproduct of their daily lives and hobbies. I’m proud to support Ecosapiens in its mission and excited to see its impact on the future of our planet and people.”
Gmoney, 9dcc founder
Initiatives that combine blockchain technology with environmental conservation, like Ecosapiens, can serve as models for future projects. By demonstrating the potential for blockchain technology to address global challenges like climate change, these projects pave the way for a more sustainable future.
