What Tesera Systems does

Tesera Systems Inc. is an employee-owned Canadian technology company founded in 1997 and headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. The company builds High Resolution Inventory Solutions (HRIS), an AI-driven forest and natural resource inventory platform that integrates Enhanced Forest Inventory (EFI) and Individual Tree Inventory (ITI) capabilities. HRIS applies machine learning algorithms (k-nearest neighbour, regularized linear regression, random forest, support vector machine, neural networks, XG boost) to LiDAR point clouds, multispectral and hyperspectral satellite imagery, and ground plot data, producing predictive forest attributes at microstand and gridcell resolution (~20m x 20m, average analysis unit of 0.04 ha). The platform runs on a cloud-native AWS architecture (S3, RDS PostgreSQL, EC2 Spot, ECS, SQS, Sagemaker) with Python/R processing and Git/GitHub version control, and is supplemented by automated change detection and the Locally Grounded Forest Carbon (LGFC) module launched in December 2025 in collaboration with Planet Labs.

Tesera monetizes through a project-based professional services model paired with managed inventory services. Every engagement begins with a "Discovery Sprint" scoping workshop, after which custom multi-year contracts are quoted based on project area, attributes required, precision targets, and data availability — pricing is not publicly disclosed. The customer base is concentrated in enterprise forestry companies, carbon credit developers, government agencies, and nature-based solutions organizations across Canada, the United States, and South Africa. Named clients include Seven Islands Land Company, Perimeter Forest (Verra VCS-registered Painted Forest and Taiga projects), Sky Harvest Carbon, ClimeCo, York Timbers Holdings, and the Yukon Forest Management Branch, with cumulative delivery across approximately 2 million acres. Distribution is entirely direct enterprise sales led by the President & CEO and senior leadership, supported by conference presentations (SilviLaser, Statistical Society of Canada), technical white papers, case studies, and the Solar Impulse Foundation Solutions Explorer listing.

The company's strategic posture has shifted toward the voluntary carbon market and recurring monitoring. The 2025 launch of Automated Multivariate Change Detection and the LGFC product (combining HRIS ground data with Planet Labs' Forest Carbon Planetary Variables) extend HRIS from a one-time inventory deliverable into a quarterly carbon monitoring service. Strategic technology partnerships with Planet Labs, Wyvern (hyperspectral), AWS, Safe Software, and Natural Resources Canada (via the Forest Innovation Program) underpin the technical stack, while GovAI Coalition membership (July 2025) signals intent to expand into public-sector channels. With a headcount of 1-10 employees, the firm relies heavily on domain expertise, partner leverage, and process automation to scale.

Name

Tesera Systems

Legal name

Tesera Systems Inc.

Website

https://tesera.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tesera Systems is an employee-owned Calgary-based technology company founded in 1997 that provides AI-driven High Resolution Inventory Solutions (HRIS) for forestry, carbon market, and government clients across North America and South Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Forest Inventory Software

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Forest Inventory, Mapping & Monitoring (GIS/Remote Sensing/MRV) (IMAMAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Timberland GIS, Remote Sensing & Data Analytics (AFAMAKAG), Monitoring, Survival Surveys & Carbon/MRV Services (Remote Sensing, Field Audits) (AFAMACAO)

Keywords

• Forest inventory solutions
• Remote sensing analytics
• Carbon measurement services
• Geospatial data processing
• Machine learning forestry

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom HRIS Project Engagements: Project-based professional services for developing High Resolution Inventory Solutions tailored to client-specific forest inventory needs. Engagements typically include Discovery Sprint scoping, data collection specifications, processing, analysis, and delivery of geospatial inventory databases. Projects range from small woodlands to extensive forest landscapes covering millions of acres.
2. Managed Forest Inventory Solutions: Ongoing inventory management services including periodic updates, change detection monitoring, and continuous inventory improvements. Clients receive quarterly updates (e.g., LGFC canopy height and cover data) and ongoing access to inventory systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Tesera delivers High Resolution Inventory Solutions (HRIS), an AI-based forest and natural resource inventory platform that integrates Enhanced Forest Inventory (EFI) and Individual Tree Inventory (ITI) capabilities. The platform uses machine learning to fuse LiDAR, multispectral/hyperspectral satellite imagery, and ground plot data into microstand-scale (average 0.04 ha / 0.1 acre) polygon datasets with comprehensive forest attributes. Services are delivered as custom project engagements and ongoing managed inventory updates for forestry companies, carbon market participants, and government agencies.

Product overview

Tesera Systems offers High Resolution Inventory Solutions (HRIS) as its core unified product, which integrates Enhanced Forest Inventory (EFI) and Individual Tree Inventory (ITI) capabilities in a single platform. HRIS uses Machine Learning-based AI to process LiDAR, multispectral/hyperspectral imagery, and ground plot data for accurate forest inventory at microstand scale. The product portfolio includes LGFC (Locally Grounded Forest Carbon), an add-on that combines HRIS ground measurements with Planet Labs satellite data for enhanced carbon quantification; Automated Change Detection for monitoring land disturbances over time; and Discovery Sprint, a consulting engagement to scope inventory projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HRIS (High Resolution Inventory Solutions): The company's primary technology platform combining Enhanced Forest Inventory (EFI) and Individual Tree Inventory (ITI) capabilities using AI-based machine learning for forest and natural resource inventory solutions.

Products and services

• High Resolution Inventory Solutions (HRIS) Tesera's primary AI-based forest and natural resource inventory solution integrating Enhanced Forest Inventory (EFI) and Individual Tree Inventory (ITI) capabilities. Uses Machine Learning-based AI with LiDAR, multispectral satellite imagery, ground plot data, and terrain data to provide accurate, scalable forest inventory at microstand and gridcell levels (average analysis unit size of 0.04 hectares / 0.1 acres). Designed for forestry companies, carbon market participants, and government agencies.
• Locally Grounded Forest Carbon (LGFC) New offering combining HRIS on-the-ground measurements with Planet Labs Forest Carbon datasets (Planetary Variables). Provides quarterly updates on canopy height, cover, and above-ground live carbon, with initial findings showing 15-30% reduction in prediction error compared to satellite-based Forest Carbon alone. Built for carbon project developers, compliance markets, and ESG reporting.
• Automated Change Detection Automated multivariate change detection solution using remote-sensing data and time-series satellite imagery. Provides rapid feedback on land disturbances, moisture content changes, vegetation cover, and forest health for operational, regulatory, security, and enforcement applications. Supports early warning of forest health issues and distinguishes between natural versus human-caused changes.
• Discovery Sprint Collaborative design thinking process that creates shared understanding of a project's challenges, outcomes, and value. Includes review of available data, use cases, and cost-effective options for forest inventory projects. Conducted through workshops with stakeholders to define project dimensions, data availability, use cases, and precision requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 66% increase in predictive accuracy (3x more accurate) compared to conventional ground plot-based inventory
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WyverncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Partnership to study impact of using hyperspectral imaging for precision silviculture. Wyvern's hyperspectral imaging (Dragonette-002 captured 5m GSD 31-band imagery) combined with Tesera's analytics for tree species identification and basal area estimation in mixed wood forests. Study focused on area north of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario using ENVI's Quick Atmospheric Correction.
• Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Natural Resources Canada (through Canadian Forest Service and Canadian Wood Fibre Centre) supported development of Automated Multivariate Change Detection solution via Forest Innovation Program (FIP). Solution quickly identifies disturbances, moisture changes, vegetation cover shifts, and forest health changes.
• GovAI CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Tesera joined the GovAI Coalition composed of government members from local, state, and federal agencies united in promoting responsible and purposeful AI in the public sector. Led by City of San José.
• Planet LabscoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic collaboration on new technologies, solutions and projects. Collaboration creates faster access to integrated solutions, reduced complexity and improved operational performance. Joint development of Locally Grounded Forest Carbon (LGFC) solution combining Planet's Forest Carbon Planetary Variables with Tesera's ground-measured HRIS data. Also collaborated on LLIS (Land Monitoring) solution briefs and HRIS overview documentation.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)coreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary cloud infrastructure provider for HRIS platform. Uses AWS S3 for data storage, RDS PostgreSQL for database, EC2/Spot Instances for processing, Sagemaker for machine learning, ECS for container orchestration, and SQS for task queue management. Cloud-native architecture enables scalable processing.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/tesera
• LinkedInca.linkedin.com/company/tesera-systems-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tesera Systems