Tree distribution startup Rootrix raises seed funding

Tree distribution startup Rootrix announced on the 28th that it had raised seed funding from FuturePlay and Sopoong Ventures, among others. The amount was not disclosed.

Founded in November last year, Rootrix aims to address the lack of transparent quality information and inefficiencies in traditional tree distribution. The startup is adapting LiDAR processing technology and geographic information systems (GIS), used for tree management in landscaping leaders such as the United States and Europe, to Korea’s tree industry.

Rootrix was founded by a team led by CEO Ahn Jeong-rok, who holds a master’s degree in landscape architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design and a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and ecological engineering from Korea University. The team also includes CTO Kim Yu-gyeom, COO Jung Yu-dan, CSCO Kim Tae-yang, and R&D Director Kim Won-hee, with backgrounds at Seoul National University, Korea University, and in the professional landscaping industry.

Without reliable tree data, Korea’s tree distribution industry has relied on handwritten specifications and unverified quality records. This has worsened information asymmetry, while high brokerage fees have caused significant financial losses for market participants.

Rootrix is developing technology to address these issues, including models that predict tree growth and classify tree forms. Through what it says will be Korea’s first technology-driven tree trading platform, the company aims to establish transparent, accurate tree information and make the market more accessible to participants.

FuturePlay partner Kwon Oh-hyung, who led the investment, said, “We believe Rootrix is the ideal team to transform a tree distribution market marked by significant information opacity and asymmetry worldwide, while also making a positive contribution to environmental issues such as carbon emissions.”

Rootrix CEO Ahn Jeong-rok said, “With this investment, we will focus on commercializing LiDAR processing technology for trees. Since no tree data has been compiled as public information beyond forest data, simply gathering it properly could have a significant economic and environmental impact.” He emphasized the industry’s growth potential.

Rootrix: https://www.rootrix.com/