Natural State

What Natural State does

Natural State is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization incorporated in both the United States (legal headquarters in Washington, DC) and Kenya, founded around 2020 and operating a primary field and operations hub in Nanyuki, Kenya, with a Research Centre at Mt. Kenya. The organization focuses on large-scale ecological restoration, rewilding, biodiversity monitoring, and carbon sequestration across African landscapes, and has stated intent to expand into Asia and the Americas. Its core activity is building scientific measurement, monitoring, and verification (MMV) infrastructure that translates ecological outcomes into investable nature-linked instruments.

The technology stack includes Kutuma, a field-to-cloud data capture application used by community rangers and field teams, and uKweli, an impact monitoring portal that aggregates field observations with environmental DNA, acoustic, and remote sensing inputs. The Carbon and Biodiversity Innovation Laboratory has produced proprietary AI models covering 133 bird call species (acoustic) and 24 vertebrate species (camera trap), alongside predictive above- and below-ground carbon models, drawing on a dataset that includes 90+ carbon plots, 18 gem plots, and 440 km² of LiDAR coverage. The Natural State Index, co-developed with the University of Oxford, attempts to quantify restoration outcomes, and a Grassland Management Tool Suite supports land stewards. Academic collaborators include Oxford, Cornell, and Purdue, and the organization has built a portfolio of nature-linked financial instruments: Rewilding Units, Custodian Credits, Nature Credits (with Social Carbon), the Lion Bond (with Lion Landscapes), and the Whale Bond (with Conservation Alpha and the Canadian Wildlife Federation).

Natural State is funded through donations, grants, and a professional services arm (Natural State Services); no pricing, contract values, or revenue figures are publicly disclosed. Its primary beneficiaries and partners include Mt. Kenya community conservancies, Nama communities in Namibia, Lion Landscapes, the Wildlife Ranger Challenge cohort, and conservation buyers of its nature-linked instruments. The organization also runs the Centre for the Nature Economy (CNE), a training initiative targeting 1,000+ graduates within five years and 20,000+ conservation leaders within a decade, and is one of six finalist teams in the Rainforest XPRIZE and a 2026 Conservation Finance Alliance Incubator participant.

Name

Natural State

Legal name

NATURAL STATE

Website

https://naturalstate.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Natural State is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization that builds AI-powered biodiversity and carbon measurement tools and nature-linked financial instruments to support large-scale restoration and rewilding for community conservancies, indigenous groups, and conservation partners across Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered in the US and Kenya, Natural State relies on donations and charitable contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporate donors to fund operations and programs.
2. Professional Services and Consulting: Natural State Services provides advice in the design phase of biodiversity, carbon, or ecosystem credits or bonds - helping clients understand which nature financing mechanisms and standards make sense for particular landscapes. The group also delivers verification services for biodiversity, carbon, water, and human wellbeing outcomes.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Natural State is a nonprofit that delivers large-scale nature restoration by combining proprietary impact-monitoring technology (Kutuma field-to-cloud data upload and uKweli monitoring portal), an advanced Carbon and Biodiversity Lab, and innovative financial instruments (Lion Bond, Whale Bond, Rewilding Units, Nature Credits, Custodian Credits), underpinned by training delivered through the Centre for the Nature Economy. Its core sellable units are the technology platforms, the financial products that monetize verified restoration outcomes, and the consulting/verification services that link partners to nature finance markets.

Product overview

Natural State offers a platform approach centered on impact monitoring technology with two core products: Kutuma (field-to-cloud data upload) and uKweli (monitoring and analytics portal), which together form an integrated field-to-insight system that ingests diverse data from sensors, camera traps, satellites, and acoustic monitors to track biodiversity, carbon, water, and human wellbeing. The platform is complemented by the Carbon and Biodiversity Innovation Laboratory for advanced sample analysis and AI-powered species identification. Financial mechanisms including Nature Credits, Lion Bond, Whale Bond, Rewilding Units, and Custodian Credits provide nature finance pathways. Training and capacity building are delivered through the Centre for the Nature Economy with programs including the Indigenous and Community Solutions Hub, all underpinned by the Natural State Index for ecosystem measurement and the Grassland Management Tool Suite for carbon verification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kutuma: Field-to-cloud data upload platform for rapid, reliable transfer of raw field data and metadata into secure cloud infrastructure.
• uKweli
• Centre for the Nature Economy
• African Centre for Nature Restoration and Resilience (ACNRR)
• Centre for Local and Indigenous Knowledge

Products and services

• Kutuma Field-to-cloud data upload application (Swahili for 'to send') that rapidly ingests and sorts data from remote sensors and AI, minimizing errors, ensuring transparency, and guaranteeing data provenance from the moment of upload. Supports multi-data type handling including qualitative observations, quantitative measurements, images, and audio files. Designed for restoration projects, conservation NGOs, and corporate ESG programmes in the Global South.
• uKweli Central Research and Monitoring portal (Swahili for 'truth') that ingests data from Kutuma and other sources including camera traps, satellite imagery, and sensor networks, then classifies, analyses, and presents results through intuitive dashboards and maps. Shows trends in biodiversity, carbon, water, and human wellbeing with digital fingerprinting for third-party audit. Sold/licensed to conservation NGOs, governments, and corporate nature-based solutions programmes.
• Carbon and Biodiversity Innovation Laboratory Advanced carbon and biodiversity lab in East Africa pioneering novel, cost-effective measurement of carbon sequestration and biodiversity increase at scale using sample scanning technology, remote sensing, drone data, machine learning classifiers, eDNA technology, and a physical and digital herbarium. Delivered as a service offering to conservation NGOs, governments, and corporate nature-based solutions clients.
• Nature Stewardship Credits (Nature Credits) Nature stewardship credits co-developed with Social Carbon that integrate biodiversity and social wellbeing into carbon credit markets, operating as standalone biodiversity credits or integrated with existing carbon projects. Designed for conservation NGOs, governments, and corporate investors seeking ESG-aligned, audit-grade nature credits.
• Lion Bond Human-lion co-existence impact bond pilot in southern Tanzania that funds custodian conservation through direct conditional payments to reward pastoralist communities for wildlife-friendly behaviors, reducing human-wildlife conflict. Targets impact investors, conservation NGOs, and government partners.
• Whale Bond Impact bond being designed with Conservation Alpha, Canadian Wildlife Federation, and Blue Bond Accelerator to reduce whale entanglement in fishing gear along Canada's east coast, with plans to replicate along African coastlines. Targeted at conservation NGOs, governments, and impact investors focused on marine biodiversity.
• Rewilding Units Novel financial instrument designed to secure new land for conservation and fund critical early years of protected area establishment through an escrow model that disburses funds only as verifiable conservation milestones are achieved, aligned with global 30x30 goals. Targeted at conservation NGOs, governments, and impact investors.
• Grassland Management Tool Suite Tool suite co-developed under Plan Vivo's PV Climate standard with The Landscapes and Livelihoods Group LLP and TerraCarbon LLC to enable grassland restoration projects worldwide to measure and verify belowground carbon outcomes in rangelands. Used by conservation NGOs and corporate carbon project developers operating in grassland biomes.
• Natural State Index Quantitative measure of ecosystem intactness developed with Oxford University based on energy flow, community structure, and community function, enabling consistent measurement across biomes with biome-specific thresholds. Sold/licensed to conservation NGOs, governments, and corporate nature-based solutions programmes as a measurement standard.
• Centre for the Nature Economy (CNE) Training Programs Training and enterprise support platform providing skills-based courses (online and on-site at the Laikipia, Kenya campus) and a restoration start-up incubator to help African leaders build and run large-scale nature restoration and regenerative agriculture projects, with focus on indigenous peoples, local communities, women, and youth. Includes the Indigenous and Community Solutions Hub co-located at the campus and bursary support for underrepresented groups.
• Natural State Services (Consulting and Verification) Professional services arm delivering advice on the design phase of biodiversity, carbon, or ecosystem credits or bonds, helping clients select the right nature financing mechanisms and standards for particular landscapes, plus verification services for biodiversity, carbon, water, and human wellbeing outcomes. Targeted at conservation NGOs, governments, corporate ESG teams, and impact investors.
• Custodian Credits Financial mechanism developed with Oxford University, Lion Landscapes, and WildCAT Trust to reward nature custodianship and productive wildlife coexistence, initially focused on communities living with lions in southern Tanzania. Targeted at conservation NGOs, governments, and impact investors seeking verified community-led conservation outcomes.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability9 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Purdue UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with Purdue University as part of the Rainforest XPRIZE team to develop state-of-the-art, automated systems to monitor rainforests using novel technologies.
• Illinois Institute of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the XPRIZE Rainforest team developing automated biodiversity monitoring systems combining remote sensing and AI.
• Morton ArboretumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerXPRIZE Rainforest collaboration partner contributing expertise in tree species identification and conservation.
• University of OxfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple collaborations including joint post-doctoral student for financial mechanisms development, Natural State Index development, and recognition as Oxford Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery Landscape partner.
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology (K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration for bioacoustic species classification and development of species-specific confidence thresholds for acoustic classifier predictions.
• WildCRU (Wildlife Conservation Research Unit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Lion Bond development in Tanzania's Selous-Nyerere landscape, deploying world-class science for wildlife conservation.
• Lion LandscapescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for Lion Bond impact bond development, focusing on human-lion coexistence in southern Tanzania.
• WildCAT TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Custodian Credits development rewarding nature custodianship and productive wildlife coexistence.
• African Leadership UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner for the Centre for the Nature Economy, helping African leaders build and run large-scale nature restoration projects.
• Wildlife Research Training Institute of Kenya (WRTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner collaborating on Centre for the Nature Economy development and restoration training programs.
• AgWildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Centre for the Nature Economy development and restoration enterprise support.
• WildTeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation and training partner for the Centre for the Nature Economy.
• World Agroforestry Center (CIFOR-ICRAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on carbon stock measurement using sample scanning technology coupled with remote sensing satellite and drone data.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to develop novel biodiversity monitoring tools, including species-specific confidence thresholds for acoustic classifiers and customized AI models for African species.
• Social CarboncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development of Nature Stewardship Credits designed to conserve and restore biodiversity while enhancing human wellbeing.
• Orange River Karoo Conservation Area (ORKCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot location for Rewilding Units in southern Namibia, working with local Nama conservancies to restore one of sub-Saharan Africa's largest arid landscapes.
• Conservation AlphacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Whale Bond design to reduce whale entanglement in fishing gear along Canada's east coast.
• Canadian Wildlife FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Whale Bond development for marine conservation.
• Blue Bond AcceleratorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in designing innovative bond mechanisms for whale conservation and sustainable fisheries.
• Tusk TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Wildlife Ranger Challenge initiative, raising crucial funds for ranger welfare, equipment, and training.
• Scheinberg Relief FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Wildlife Ranger Challenge, contributing to over $10 million raised for rangers during COVID crisis.
• The Landscapes and Livelihoods Group LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in co-developing the Grassland Management Tool Suite under Plan Vivo's PV Climate standard.
• TerraCarbon LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in co-developing the Grassland Management Tool Suite for grassland restoration projects worldwide.
• Plan VivocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproved data analytics provider for Plan Vivo Nature Framework, supporting projects seeking accreditation under this respected voluntary carbon market standard.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/naturalstateorg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC50qn5dPyLg8iHPimZazXxw
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=100069109572287
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/natural-state-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/naturalstate_org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Natural State