Cambium, a supply chain technology company revolutionizing the wood industry with sustainable materials and intelligent logistics solutions, has successfully secured an $18.5 million Series A funding round. The investment was led by VoLo Earth Ventures, with strong participation from NEA, Dangerous Ventures, Tunitas Ventures, Woven Earth, Understorey, Groundswell, and Ulu Ventures. Notably, existing investors such as MaC Venture Capital, Rise of the Rest, 81 Collection, Alumni Ventures, and Soma Capital also reinvested, reflecting their confidence in Cambium’s continued growth and impact.
Driving Innovation in the $788 Billion Wood Products Industry
The newly acquired funds will be instrumental in accelerating Cambium’s technological advancements, strengthening its supply network, expanding its workforce, scaling operations, and introducing a new range of mass timber products. By integrating AI-powered solutions into the global wood industry, Cambium aims to modernize a traditionally fragmented sector, providing smarter logistics and supply chain optimization.
According to Kareem Dabbagh, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at VoLo Earth Ventures, “Cambium has identified a critical need to modernize the wood industry, from forestry to construction, by improving supply chain efficiency and using technology to create access to cost-efficient sustainable materials. By producing high-quality, lower-carbon Carbon Smart™ Wood and creating a more connected supply network, Cambium is solving key challenges in the industry. Our investment reflects our strong belief in their vision, their team, and the value they bring to the construction and design markets.”
Meeting Growing Demand for Sustainable, Locally Sourced Materials
The demand for sustainable and traceable building materials continues to rise, with the construction industry increasingly prioritizing carbon-conscious solutions. Cambium’s innovative supply chain platform connects tree care services, sawmills, and manufacturers, transforming salvaged wood into high-quality Carbon Smart™ Wood, millwork, and now, mass timber.
Through a data-driven approach, Cambium ensures transparency in the supply chain by tracking every stage of lumber processing. This enables seamless chain-of-custody tracking, providing crucial data to architects, builders, and manufacturers looking for sustainable alternatives at competitive prices. By employing AI and machine learning, Cambium is streamlining processes such as log transportation, inventory management, point-of-sale transactions, real-time carbon impact tracking, and e-commerce capabilities.
Empowering Local Economies Through AI-Driven Solutions
Cambium’s AI-powered platform is not only enhancing supply chain efficiency but also revitalizing local economies by creating jobs in forestry, transportation, and manufacturing. By reducing the industry’s dependence on imported timber and optimizing local production, Cambium’s efforts contribute to shorter, more sustainable supply chains that reduce carbon emissions associated with long-haul transportation.
Truckers, sawmill operators, and tree care professionals are benefiting from Cambium’s digital tools, which help them streamline operations and increase productivity. This focus on reshoring production plays a vital role in boosting domestic industries and ensuring that high-quality materials are available to support the growing construction demand.
Expanding into the Mass Timber Market
With the fresh influx of capital, Cambium is making a significant leap into the mass timber sector, a crucial step in reducing the construction industry’s reliance on high-carbon materials such as steel and concrete. Engineered for durability and structural integrity, Carbon Smart™ Wood is now being utilized in the production of cross-laminated timber (CLT), a sustainable alternative that stores carbon and requires less energy to manufacture.
Cambium’s entry into the mass timber market aligns with its vision of creating sustainable, cost-effective solutions for the built environment. By collaborating with leading CLT manufacturers—including Mercer Mass Timber, SmartLam North America, Sterling Structural, and Vaagen Timbers—Cambium is ensuring a consistent and high-quality supply of CLT to meet the demands of architects and builders focused on reducing the climate impact of construction.
A Proven Track Record of Impact
Cambium’s efforts have already yielded significant results within the industry. To date, the company has moved over 8 million board feet of wood from waste streams through its platform, sequestering over 10,000 tonnes of CO2e. Its network includes over 350 tree care service companies, sawmills, and trucking firms, creating a robust ecosystem of local suppliers and manufacturers committed to sustainability.
Notable projects featuring Cambium’s Carbon Smart™ Wood include the Graft Collection with Room & Board, the Bassline Collection with Steelcase, and the flooring of Equinox’s new gym in the historic Brooklyn Domino Sugar Building. These projects showcase the versatility and aesthetic appeal of Cambium’s sustainable wood offerings while demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale adoption.
Scaling for the Future
Cambium’s leadership team, led by Co-founders Ben Christensen, Marisa Repka, and Theo Hooker, is poised to scale operations rapidly. The company plans to expand its Carbon Smart™ Wood distribution network and enhance logistics capabilities through Mill Market, a logistics platform connecting tree care services and lumber mills. Acquired by Cambium in July 2024, Mill Market is a key component of the company’s broader growth strategy, which includes pursuing additional mergers and acquisitions to strengthen its supply chain infrastructure.
“As global wood demand is projected to triple by 2050, we must develop smarter supply chains in the US and beyond,” said Ben Christensen, CEO and Co-founder of Cambium. “This investment enables us to scale our supply chain technology across the entire industry, helping sawmills modernize their operations, transform waste into lower-carbon building materials, and bring manufacturing jobs back to these local economies.”