120 hectares of reforestation with 60,000 trees
Currently, the family business Corekees (owners Nick and Tamar van Heesewijk are cousins) manages investments from over 1500 investors in six projects and a total managed capital of 2 million euros. Since its founding in 2018, Corekees has been successful through a concept of four t's: tangible, oversight, transparent, and against greenwashing. Participation in the projects is very concrete. For example, you can plant a tree back in Paraguay for 22.50 euros, in an area where many trees were previously cut down. The nuts from these trees consist of vegetable oil, which can be converted into biodiesel. The trees are planted alongside trees that originally occur in the area. This way, the project contributes locally to biodiversity and employment. With the reforestation project, Corekees has already raised 1.2 million euros, good for 60,000 trees and 120 hectares of reforestation.
'What makes our projects unique is that it is super tangible what you are investing in and that we actively manage the projects,' says Nick van Heesewijk. 'We are really on top of it, together with our local partners and the local population. This allows us to communicate transparently and in detail to our investors.'
Society wants to invest green, but gets greenwashing
Such project management is necessary. Many news media have reported in recent years about investments in so-called green investments, which partly end up in fossil projects or companies. Such a picture also emerges from research by the ASN Bank. Half of sustainable investors feel misled when it turns out that a sustainable fund invests in the fossil industry, according to that report. Presenting oneself as greener or more socially responsible than an organization actually is is called greenwashing.
The projects of Corekees set the bar higher. They are examples of impact investing: investing with a positive influence on society, environment, and climate. This goes a step further than socially responsible entrepreneurship or ESG (Environmental, Social and Governmental). ESG is about minimizing negative effects on people, the environment, and climate.
This strategy goes excellently with returns. The investment projects have an expected return of 6 to 8 percent per year.
Crowdfunding for a good cause
The crowdfunding takes place via SeedBlink, one of Europe's largest crowdfunding platforms for scale-ups. With the crowdfunding, investors get the chance to become co-owners of Corekees and contribute to the growth of Corekees' impactful investments. In addition to the Paraguayan tree project, it involves reforestation of the Amazon region, innovative bamboo cultivation in Portugal, and the cultivation of organically grown ginger and turmeric. Nick van Heesewijk: 'With the money we raise from crowdfunding, we want to expand current projects and start new projects. In addition, we hope to serve our current investors even better and attract new investors, including companies.'
The over 150,000 euros raised in the preliminary round comes from current customers. Investors can join from 2500 euros.
