From Christmas Lists to Climate Action: The Origin Story

Picture this: A 12-year-old boy shocks his family by asking for carbon credits instead of Xbox games for Christmas. That kid didn’t just change his family’s holiday tradition – he sparked a REVOLUTION in climate tech.

“I stepped into the chaos that is the carbon credit market thinking I knew what I was doing… but it was crazy.”

Mark Chen, Cnaught Founder

Chen’s solar industry experience meant NOTHING against the Wild West of carbon credits. Rating organizations? Inconsistent. Quality standards? Murky. Actual climate impact? Nearly impossible to verify.

The $4.5 Million Wake-Up Call

Here’s the brutal truth: While giants like Microsoft and Stripe play in the carbon credit sandbox, 99% of businesses are locked out. The numbers don’t lie:

• 1M+ US companies with 20+ employees
• Only 7,000-8,000 active carbon credit buyers
• 75% of climate software targets just the top 1%

That’s why Bow Capital dropped $4.5M into Cnaught’s seed round. As Rafi Syed puts it: “The market was totally neglecting the fat tail.” Translation? MASSIVE untapped potential.

How Cnaught Cracks the Code

Forget complex spreadsheets and sustainability PhDs. Cnaught delivers climate action with ETF-level simplicity:

• Vets projects using multiple third-party ratings
• Buys high-quality credits in bulk
• Sells at flat rates (taking the spread)
• Offers custom portfolios or ready-made mixes

From Seattle Chocolate Company to Palantir, businesses are finally saying: “Just tell us how much we need.” That’s the power of removing friction.

The Bottom Line

The carbon credit market isn’t broken – it’s just been gatekept by the elite. Cnaught’s mission? Democratize climate action so ANY business can:

• Make REAL environmental impact
• Meet sustainability goals WITHOUT hiring a team
• Join the fight against climate change TODAY

Because when a 12-year-old can spot the opportunity, shouldn’t your business be able to act on it too?