Releaf combines proprietary hardware and software — including the Kraken palm-nut de-sheller, the SALT sourcing and logistics application, and the Site geospatial mapping tool — to localize processing and connect smallholder farmers to FMCG manufacturers. The company is focused initially on Nigeria's oil palm industry, placing processing capacity closer to farms to increase quality and reduce logistics costs. Kraken delivers 27–30% higher extraction yields and enables production of palm oil with about 95% purity versus an industry standard of 88%. Since launching its first Kraken prototype in January 2021, Releaf has processed more than 10,000 tons of palm nuts, grown monthly revenue at an average rate of 25%, and secured over $75 million in bookings. Releaf works with leading FMCG manufacturers including Presco and PZ Cussons and provides farmers with training and support on sustainable land management via SALT. The company aims to scale operations and expand into other crops to support climate-adaptive supply chains across Africa. Releaf builds proprietary hardware and software to decentralize food processing for smallholder palm-oil farmers, including Kraken, a patent-pending nut-cracking machine. The company buys palm kernel nuts from farmers, uses Kraken to crack and crush kernels into vegetable oil, and sells finished oil to FMCG processors and local manufacturers in Nigeria’s South South region. Releaf’s software platform connects to over 2,000 smallholder farmers who have supplied more than 10 million kilograms of palm kernel nuts, and Kraken has processed roughly 500 tonnes of palm nuts to date. The startup says its oil yields a lower free fatty acid (FFA) level—about 3.5% versus an industry standard near 5%—which it expects to monetize over time to improve margins. Releaf plans geographic expansion across West Africa rather than broad crop diversification, though it may consider intercropping or adjacent oilseed crops like soybeans or groundnuts. The company will use the seed capital to develop and deploy technology to farmers, while grant funding will provide working capital financing; internal trials reportedly increased smallholder incomes three- to fivefold.

Total raised

$4M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Feb 2023