CNaught
CNaught is a San Francisco-based carbon credit marketplace that sells curated, science-backed portfolios of high-integrity credits to SMBs and enterprises via a web platform, REST API, and channel partners. Its offerings include the CNaught Guarantee, AB 1305 compliance tooling, and Carbonlog for AI development emissions tracking.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CNaught does
CNaught is a San Francisco-based carbon credit marketplace and platform founded in 2022 that sells high-integrity, science-backed carbon credit portfolios to businesses. The company's core offering consists of a self-serve web platform, a REST API with a Node.js/TypeScript SDK, and curated portfolios (CNaught Impact and Impact Lite) priced at $0.02/kg ($20/tonne) via API and $0.016/kg for Impact Lite, with usage-based pay-as-you-go billing and no platform or subscription fees. Underlying technology combines an internal due diligence process with integration of all four major third-party carbon rating agencies (BeZero, Sylvera, Calyx, Renoster), project sourcing from registries such as Verra, Gold Standard, and ACR, and AI-powered tooling for portfolio recommendations, reporting, marketing asset generation, and automated answers to sustainability questions.
The company pursues a multi-channel GTM motion spanning self-serve SMB/individual buyers, API-driven programmatic purchases by technology platforms, a dedicated enterprise sales team targeting technology, financial services, transportation, and built environment customers, and channel partnerships with sustainability and carbon accounting platforms (Greenplaces, Aclymate, GreenFeet, Pathzero). Notable enterprise customers include DuckDuckGo (18,798 tonnes purchased since August 2023), Palantir, Asana, Tiger, Samsara, RBC, Workato, Dimensional, Populous, and Thrive Home Builders. CNaught has raised $6.75M total ($2.25M pre-seed from Greycroft in October 2023; $4.5M seed led by Bow Capital in May 2025) and operates with 11 people including co-founders Mark Chen (CEO), Dan Kokotov (CTO), and Steve Siger (COO). Differentiated offerings include the CNaught Guarantee (a project-failure backstop), a free AI-powered Portfolio Assessment Tool, an AB 1305 Report Generator for California compliance, and Carbonlog — an open-source Claude Code plugin launched in March 2026 to track per-session emissions of AI-assisted coding.
CNaught firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CNaught
- Legal name
- CNaught Inc.
- Website
- https://cnaught.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CNaught is a San Francisco-based carbon credit marketplace that sells curated, science-backed portfolios of high-integrity credits to SMBs and enterprises via a web platform, REST API, and channel partners. Its offerings include the CNaught Guarantee, AB 1305 compliance tooling, and Carbonlog for AI development emissions tracking.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CNaught industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Carbon Credit Marketplace
- NAICS
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Carbon Registries & Issuance Platforms (Project/credit lifecycle, serials, issuance, retirement) (EUABAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Market Access, Connectivity & Trading Technology (APIs, OMS/EMS, FIX connectivity, venue gateways) (EUABAAAF), Compliance & Integrity Infrastructure (KYC/AML, sanctions screening, fraud detection, claims/labeling integrity) (EUABAAAG)
Keywords
Where CNaught is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
CNaught business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Carbon Credit Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling carbon credits. Customers purchase credits at a flat rate per ton/kilogram. Credits are sourced from vetted projects that CNaught purchases and retires on behalf of customers. Orders can be placed via web dashboard, API, or checkout sessions with minimum order sizes as low as 1 kg. No monthly recurring charges, platform access fees, or transaction charges beyond the per-ton rate.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Carbon Credits - $0.02/kg ($20/tonne) |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
CNaught product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CNaught is an online platform that sells curated portfolios of high-integrity carbon credits to businesses. Customers purchase diversified portfolios (CNaught Impact and Impact Lite) sourced from Verra, Gold Standard, and American Carbon Registry-certified projects, evaluated against all four major third-party rating agencies (BeZero, Sylvera, Calyx, Renoster). Orders can be placed via a self-serve web dashboard, REST API/SDK, or checkout sessions, with every purchase backed by the CNaught Guarantee against project failure.
Product overview
CNaught is a carbon credit marketplace and platform that simplifies the purchase of high-integrity, science-backed carbon credits for businesses of all sizes. The core offering consists of the CNaught Platform (web dashboard with AI-powered portfolio curation, reporting, and marketing tools), the CNaught API (REST API with Node.js/TypeScript SDK for programmatic access), and CNaught Portfolios (diversified carbon credit portfolios based on Oxford's principles for carbon offsetting). Key add-on products include the CNaught Guarantee (risk backstop protection), Portfolio Assessment Tool (AI-powered existing portfolio analysis), Carbonlog (open-source Claude Code plugin for tracking AI development emissions), AB 1305 Report Generator (California compliance), Emissions Calculator, Hosted Impact Pages, and Change Climate Certification. The platform connects to Verra, Gold Standard, and American Carbon Registry for project sourcing, and uses third-party ratings from BeZero, Sylvera, Calyx, and Renoster for due diligence. OpenAI Operator integration enables AI agents to automatically purchase carbon credits.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The CNaught Guarantee: A backstop protection against project failure that provides ongoing project monitoring and added confidence for customers purchasing carbon credits.
- Carbonlog
- CNaught Impact Portfolio
- CNaught Impact Lite Portfolio
Products and services
- CNaught Platform Web-based platform enabling organizations to purchase, manage, and track high-integrity carbon credits through an AI-powered dashboard with science-backed portfolio curation, reporting tools, and AI-powered marketing asset generation.
- CNaught API Public REST API with a TypeScript/Node.js SDK (v2.0.0+) that enables programmatic carbon credit ordering, project and portfolio data retrieval, subaccount management, checkout session creation, price quotes for emissions calculations (flights, ground transport, train, office space, air freight), climate impact data access, hosted impact page configuration, and webhook notifications for order updates.
- CNaught Portfolios Science-backed, diversified carbon credit portfolios (CNaught Impact and CNaught Impact Lite) constructed from nature-based and technology-based projects registered with Verra, Gold Standard, and the American Carbon Registry. Portfolios are designed to maximize climate impact and mitigate risk based on Oxford's principles for carbon offsetting.
- CNaught Guarantee Risk backstop providing ongoing project monitoring and added protection against project failure for every carbon credit purchase at no additional cost, positioning CNaught as the first provider to offer a formal guarantee protecting buyers from project underperformance.
- Portfolio Assessment Tool AI-powered free tool that delivers immediate insights into existing carbon credit investments, evaluating project quality, flagging potential risks, and identifying opportunities for enhanced climate impact based on public data. Provides downloadable portfolio assessment reports with risk analysis and recommendations.
- Emissions Calculator Free tool for calculating carbon footprint from various sources including travel, transportation, and office operations to determine offsetting needs.
- Carbonlog Open-source Claude Code plugin that tracks carbon emissions and energy consumption of AI-assisted coding sessions in real time. First developer tool providing per-session emissions data based on independent academic research, addressing AI environmental impact and California SB 253 Scope 3 reporting.
- AB 1305 Report Generator Tool for generating California AB 1305 carbon disclosure reports, providing automatically updated live reports that meet state compliance requirements.
- Change Climate Certification Certification program offered through partnership with Change Climate, enabling companies to demonstrate credible climate action through Change Climate's brand certification system.
- Hosted Impact Pages Public-facing climate impact pages hosted by CNaught for customers, displaying total carbon credits purchased, equivalent impact metrics (trees planted, cars off road, homes' energy usage, flights offset), and project distribution. Supports customizable logos and equivalent stat displays.
Quantifiable outcome
- 6x customer growth quarter-over-quarter after platform launch
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use CNaught
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CNaught technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability7 records
Feature6 records
CNaught partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor, core and flagship.
- OpenAImajorIntegration partner for CNaught's Operator solution enabling AI agents to purchase carbon credits. OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company whose mission is to ensure AGI benefits all humanity.
- GreenplacesmajorAll-in-one sustainability platform partnership. Greenplaces helps businesses track, reduce, and report carbon emissions. CNaught integration provides simple and trustworthy carbon credits as part of Greenplaces' sustainability solution.
- GreenFeetmajorCarbon accounting solution partnership. GreenFeet helps companies calculate Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions footprints and report progress. Partnership enables combined carbon accounting and offsetting solution.
- Green Builder MediaminorNorth America's leading green building and sustainable living media company. Partnership provides thought-leadership content and events on climate change, decarbonization, and electrification.
- AclymatemajorCarbon accounting partnership. Aclymate helps businesses on their journey to net zero with software tools. CNaught partnered with Aclymate to combine easy-to-use carbon accounting with trustworthy carbon credits for small- and mid-sized businesses.
- BeZero CarboncoreThird-party carbon rating agency. CNaught is one of only providers that work with all four major independent rating agencies to ensure trust in purchases. BeZero provides project ratings and risk assessments.
- SylveracoreThird-party carbon rating agency. CNaught incorporates Sylvera ratings into project due diligence process alongside Calyx, BeZero, and Renoster.
- CalyxcoreThird-party carbon rating agency. One of four major rating agencies integrated into CNaught's due diligence process for comprehensive project evaluation.
- RenostercoreThird-party carbon rating agency. Part of CNaught's four-agency rating integration for project quality assurance.
- World Economic Forum (WEF)flagshipIndustry partner in voluntary carbon market. CNaught's portfolio approach aligns with WEF recommendations for carbon credit purchasing.
- Oxford UniversityflagshipIndustry partner. CNaught's science-based approach embodies Oxford's Principles for Carbon Offsetting.
- ICVCM (Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market)majorIndustry partner defining and aligning with highest standards of integrity in voluntary carbon market.
- VCMI (Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative)majorIndustry partner working to define and align with highest standards of integrity in voluntary carbon market.
- VerracoreCarbon registry partner. Projects in CNaught's portfolio are certified by Verra's VCS program.
- Gold StandardcoreCarbon registry partner. Part of CNaught's industry partner ecosystem for defining integrity standards.
- American Carbon Registry (ACR)coreCarbon registry partner. Projects in CNaught's portfolio are certified by ACR.
- Climate Action Reserve (CAR)minorCarbon registry partner. Part of CNaught's industry partner ecosystem.
- IETA (International Emissions Trading Association)minorIndustry association partner in voluntary carbon market.
- Change ClimateminorIndustry partner. CNaught offers Change Climate Certification for brands.
- Puro.earthminorCarbon registry partner for carbon removal credits. MT1 biomass burial credits issued under Puro.earth's registry.
- IsometricminorCarbon registry partner. Part of CNaught's industry partner ecosystem.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
CNaught competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Patch: Patch is a carbon credit API and marketplace that enables businesses to embed carbon offsetting into their products and services. It is the closest direct competitor to CNaught, offering similar self-serve and API-first purchasing of vetted carbon credits for developers and enterprises.
- Cloverly: Cloverly provides a carbon offsetting API and marketplace for businesses, with an emphasis on integration into e-commerce, travel, and SaaS platforms. It directly overlaps with CNaught's API-first GTM motion and SMB/enterprise customer base.
- Watershed: Watershed is an enterprise climate platform that combines carbon accounting, reporting, and credit purchasing. It serves large enterprises (similar to CNaught's enterprise customers) and represents a more established, well-funded competitor in the integrated carbon management space.
- Pachama: Pachama is a carbon credit marketplace that uses satellite data and ML to verify forest and nature-based projects. Like CNaught, it focuses on high-quality, technology-verified credits and serves enterprise buyers seeking credible offsetting.
- Persefoni: Persefoni is a climate management and accounting platform used by enterprises for Scope 1-3 emissions measurement. It competes with CNaught's reporting and AB 1305 compliance capabilities while serving an overlapping enterprise buyer base.
- Terrapass: Terrapass is a carbon offset retailer selling verified credits to businesses and individuals. It is comparable to CNaught's SMB-facing marketplace but with a longer operating history and broader consumer footprint.
Broad incumbents
- South Pole: South Pole is one of the largest established voluntary carbon market players, offering project development, credit sales, and corporate climate advisory. It is comparable to CNaught at the credit purchasing layer but operates at much greater scale and breadth.
- Rubicon Carbon: Rubicon Carbon is a carbon credit dealer and asset manager focused on high-integrity voluntary credits for institutional buyers. It competes with CNaught in the credit curation space but with institutional rather than SMB/developer orientation.
Others
- Sylvera: Sylvera is an independent carbon credit rating agency that is one of CNaught's four key data partners. While not a direct competitor, it is adjacent infrastructure and a potential channel for buyers seeking ratings-driven credit selection.
Emerging players
- Greenly: Greenly is a carbon accounting platform for SMBs that combines emissions measurement with offsetting recommendations. It overlaps with CNaught's SMB segment and the AB 1305 reporting use case, though it is more Europe-focused.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CNaught social profiles
Digital presenceCNaught compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
CNaught financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CNaught leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
CNaught funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CNaught M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CNaught
What does CNaught do?
CNaught is an online platform that sells curated portfolios of high-integrity carbon credits to businesses. Customers purchase diversified portfolios (CNaught Impact and Impact Lite) sourced from Verra, Gold Standard, and American Carbon Registry-certified projects, evaluated against all four major third-party rating agencies (BeZero, Sylvera, Calyx, Renoster). Orders can be placed via a self-serve web dashboard, REST API/SDK, or checkout sessions, with every purchase backed by the CNaught Guarantee against project failure.
Is CNaught a public or private company?
CNaught is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was CNaught founded?
CNaught was founded in 2022. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CNaught based?
CNaught is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does CNaught make money?
One revenue line is on record: carbon Credit Sales.
Who are CNaught's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Patch, Cloverly, Watershed, Pachama, Persefoni and Terrapass. Broad incumbents are South Pole and Rubicon Carbon. Sylvera is listed as an others. Greenly is listed as an emerging player.
Does CNaught have an API?
Yes. CNaught provides a public REST API enabling organizations to integrate carbon credit purchasing into their products and services. The API supports placing carbon credit orders, retrieving project and portfolio details, managing subaccounts, creating checkout sessions, getting price quotes for various emission types (flights, ground transport, train, office space, air freight), retrieving climate impact data, and configuring hosted impact pages. Authentication uses Bearer tokens. The API includes idempotency key support and webhook notifications for order updates. A Node.js SDK (version 2.0.0+) based on fetch is available, compatible with Cloudflare Workers, Next.js Edge, Deno, and Bun runtimes. A sandbox environment was available but has been eliminated (as of January 2026). Developer documentation is at docs.cnaught.com.
What industry is CNaught in?
CNaught's product category is Carbon Credit Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUABAAAA, Carbon Registries & Issuance Platforms (Project/credit lifecycle, serials, issuance, retirement), with a secondary code of EUABAAAF, Market Access, Connectivity & Trading Technology (APIs, OMS/EMS, FIX connectivity, venue gateways). Its NAICS code is 541690 and its SIC code is 8731.