How India’s Varaha Secured $20M to Boost Carbon Removal in the Global South

How can a startup from India effectively scale carbon removal projects in regions often overlooked by global climate initiatives? This question lies at the heart of Varaha’s mission as the company has recently secured $20 million in new funding, aiming to expand carbon removal solutions across the Global South.

Scaling carbon capture technologies outside traditional markets comes with unique challenges. The Global South, encompassing developing regions, often faces resource constraints and lacks access to cutting-edge climate tech funding. Varaha’s recent financial milestone is not just capital—it is a testament to the growing recognition of carbon removal's vital role in combating climate change worldwide.

What Is Varaha’s Approach to Carbon Removal?

Varaha is a climate technology company pioneering solutions to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Carbon removal, also called carbon capture and sequestration, involves technologies or processes that pull excess CO₂ out of the air, reducing greenhouse gas levels that contribute to global warming.

To put it simply, carbon removal is like a vacuum cleaner for the atmosphere, and Varaha focuses on projects located in the Global South—regions with developing economies and massive potential for natural carbon sinks such as forests and soil.

How Does Varaha’s Latest Funding Support Its Mission?

Varaha's $20 million funding is part of a larger $45 million Series B investment round led by WestBridge Capital. The fresh capital injection is aimed at scaling Varaha’s operational capacity and expanding its carbon removal projects across diverse geographies in the Global South.

WestBridge Capital’s leadership in this funding round highlights confidence in Varaha’s business model and technology readiness. The infusion of funds will enable:

• Deployment of additional carbon capture projects
• Enhancement of monitoring and verification systems ensuring transparency and efficacy
• Investment in innovative carbon removal technologies
• Strengthening partnerships with local communities and stakeholders

Why Is Funding for Carbon Removal in the Global South Crucial?

Popular climate action narratives often focus on developed nations, but the Global South harbors critical ecosystems essential for carbon sequestration. Tropical forests, vast agricultural lands, and coastal wetlands in these regions naturally absorb large amounts of CO₂.

However, these areas also face greater vulnerability to climate change impacts, making sustainable carbon removal projects both a mitigation and adaptation strategy. Funding directed at such regions helps:

• Unlock latent carbon sequestration capacities
• Create local jobs and economic opportunities aligned with green growth
• Ensure equitable participation in climate solutions globally

What Challenges Did Varaha Encounter Along the Way?

Scaling carbon removal is not straightforward. Varaha’s journey involved navigating complex regulatory environments, securing reliable project measurement techniques, and building trust among local communities skeptical of new technologies.

One of the recurring hurdles was ensuring that carbon captured is verified accurately—a key aspect that influences carbon credit markets and investor confidence. Varaha invested heavily in robust verification protocols, using satellite data and on-the-ground sensors to validate carbon removal outcomes.

What Finally Worked for Varaha’s Success?

Customization and local engagement proved essential. Varaha tailored its projects to fit socio-economic conditions of each location, involving local farmers and landowners as active partners rather than passive beneficiaries.

Technologically, combining natural carbon sinks with emerging direct air capture techniques created a diversified portfolio resilient to environmental and market fluctuations. This hybrid approach increased reliability and scalability.

What Are the Key Takeaways for Assessing Carbon Removal Startups?

Evaluating a carbon removal company like Varaha requires focus on:

• Geographic strategy: Are they targeting regions with high impact and underserved funding?
• Technology mix: Is there a balance between natural and technological carbon removal?
• Verification standards: How transparent and rigorous is their carbon accounting?
• Community involvement: Are local stakeholders integrated into project design and benefits?

Varaha’s $20 million funding highlights the growing market confidence in companies addressing carbon removal in emerging economies, a space previously undercapitalized despite its significance.

How Can You Quickly Evaluate a Carbon Removal Initiative?

If you want to assess the feasibility or value of a carbon removal startup in 20 minutes, consider this checklist:

1. Identify the startup’s target regions and ecosystems.
2. Review their carbon removal technologies and how they complement each other.
3. Check their certification and validation methods for carbon credits.
4. Look for evidence of local stakeholder engagement.
5. Evaluate the credibility of their funding sources and partnerships.

This quick evaluation will offer clarity on whether the company’s approach is scalable, credible, and socially inclusive.

Varaha’s announcement is more than just a funding update; it shows how climate tech must adapt business models to regional contexts and build trust at every level. Such lessons are crucial for anyone serious about the future of carbon removal and climate mitigation.