In a bid to transform the timber industry, Cambium, a startup founded by Ben Christensen, Marisa Repka, and Theo Hooker, has secured $18.5 million in funding to further develop its innovative software-driven wood reuse platform. The investment, led by VoLo Earth Ventures, aims to tackle the significant problem of wood waste in the industry, promoting sustainable forestry practices and reducing carbon emissions.

The timber industry is plagued by inefficiencies, with millions of trees being cut down and shredded instead of being repurposed into lumber. Christensen, who grew up surrounded by New Mexico's towering pines and has a family background in timber, recognized the opportunity to create a more sustainable and coordinated supply chain. Cambium's platform connects tree care services, suppliers, mills, and buyers, ensuring that wood is reused and reducing waste.

The startup's software is designed to facilitate better coordination between disparate parts of the supply chain, enabling companies to buy or sell more wood while providing better service and more consistent, long-term contracts. By developing its own products, including furniture-grade lumber and cross-laminated timber, Cambium is creating a new market for reclaimed wood. Partnerships with manufacturers like Mercer Mass Timber, SmartLam, Sterling Structural, and Vaagen Timbers have already been established.

One of the significant benefits of Cambium's approach is the reduction in carbon emissions. By minimizing transportation distances and keeping trees alive in forests, the startup is contributing to a more climate-friendly industry. Christensen emphasized that "every time you move wood ten miles instead of 1,000, there's a real carbon benefit. And every time you keep a tree alive in the forest, there's a real carbon benefit."

The timber industry is highly fragmented, with a handful of large companies dominating the market. Outside of these giants, the industry is characterized by a complex web of small businesses, with eight to ten entities typically involved in getting material to an end customer. Cambium's software addresses this fragmentation, providing a digital solution for the many businesses that have yet to adopt technology.

Instead of pitching its software directly to customers, Cambium focuses on the business opportunities it offers. By providing a platform that streamlines transactions and connects suppliers, mills, and buyers, the startup is attracting companies to its platform. With its software, Cambium is gathering extensive data on the timber industry, which will be used to develop an AI that can help digitize the books of pen-and-paper businesses.

The $18.5 million investment will be used to further develop Cambium's platform and expand its capabilities. The startup aims to use its AI to extract information from phone calls and integrate it into databases, making it easier for businesses to adopt its technology. Christensen envisions a future where the platform can seamlessly integrate with the way businesses operate, providing a simple and intuitive experience for users.

Cambium's innovative approach to the timber industry has the potential to drive significant change, promoting sustainable forestry practices and reducing waste. As the startup continues to grow and develop its platform, it is likely to have a profound impact on the industry, paving the way for a more environmentally friendly and efficient future.