DISCLAIMER: This podcast is not an endorsement for this opportunity, nor is it an investment recommendation or investment advice.

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Scellec Teca

The Ask: Up to $60M EUR to acquire land and establish high value teak plantations in Colombia

Blurb: Today on Pitch Pod, I'm joined by Michael Hayden, CEO of Scellec Teca to explore the company’s investment model for developing high-quality teak plantations in Colombia. Building on a first project that has deployed €32 million across nearly 4,000 hectares, Michael introduces Project Two – a greenfield teak investment seeking up to €60 million in institutional capital. We discuss why Colombia’s Caribbean region offers attractive growing conditions for teak, Scellec's approach to land acquisition and plantation management, and the role of FSC certification and carbon credits in the investment model. Michael explains the long-term supply and demand dynamics behind teak, including opportunities in Asian roundwood markets and higher-value end uses. We also dig into projected returns, timber growth and price assumptions, land values, currency and operational risks, and potential exit pathways. Finally, Michael shares lessons learned from Project One and explains why strong relationships with employees and local communities are fundamental to managing forestry assets for the long term.

Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives

Sound Library

Ecology-Agriculture-Environment via Pixabay

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Forest Trends (LinkedIn)

Read the report

Today, I’m joined by Genevieve Bennett, Senior Advisor and Interim Director at Forest Trends’ Ecosystem Marketplace. In this conversation, we unpack findings from the State of Private Investment in Nature 2026 report and the numbers behind the rapid growth of natural capital investing. Genevieve explains why private investment in nature has grown five-fold over the past decade, where capital is being deployed, and how institutional participation has evolved. We discuss evidence that the repositioning of Timberland around natural capital is more than a branding exercise, with carbon and other natural capital revenues increasingly incorporated into forest investment strategies and underwriting. We also explore the growing sophistication of investors, why impact measurement and diligence can slow capital deployment, and the role of catalytic capital in building the next generation of nature investment opportunities.

00:00 Introduction

01:09 Genevieve Bennett and Forest Trends

06:05 Who benefits from Ecosystem Marketplace's data?

08:35 Why private investment in nature matters now

13:39 Defining nature finance: the six categories

19:13 Report methodology and data sources

21:41 Private investment in nature grows fivefold

23:08 Which nature finance strategies are growing?

28:44 The impact of large transactions and institutional investors

31:57 Forestry investment: three case studies

34:39 How forestry's share of nature investment has changed

38:47 Is natural capital changing forestry underwriting?

45:34 Investor priorities, impact and due diligence

49:40 Where is nature investment heading?

50:41 Looking ahead to 2036

55:33 The role of catalytic capital

59:19 Advice for new forest investors

01:00:29 Where to find the report and learn more

01:01:13 Closing

Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives

Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox.

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Forest Invest Connect – What’s happening in carbon markets? With Margaret Morales, Maria Filmanovic and Renat Heuberger. Attendance is limited. REGISTER HERE

When: Wednesday, September 30th, 16:00-17:00 CET

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Alder Point Capital on LinkedIn

Today, I’m joined by Chris Larson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Alder Point Capital. In this conversation, Chris shares the journey behind launching Alder Point and its approach to investing across timberland and farmland. We discuss where the team sees opportunities to create value in non-core and sub-institutional timberland markets through land aggregation, conservation transactions, carbon, and hands-on operational improvements. Chris explains Alder Point’s approach to impact investing, including its focus on biodiversity, climate resilience, and rural prosperity, and why intentionality matters when investing for environmental and social outcomes. We also explore the importance of showing up in rural communities, building trust with local stakeholders, and considering aligned exit opportunities with tribes, nonprofits, and community organizations. Finally, Chris reflects on moving from the allocator to the GP side of the table and shares his advice for investors considering their first allocation to forest investment.

00:33 – Welcome to Forest Invest

00:52 – Chris Larson and Alder Point Capital

04:54 – Why Alder Point Was Founded

06:15 – Launching a New Investment Strategy

09:16 – How Alder Point Creates Value

13:23 – Operational Improvements in Forestry

15:33 – A Look at a Timberland Investment

18:42 – Community Forests and Local Land Ownership

20:11 – Who Invests in Alder Point?

24:24 – Measuring Impact in Forest Investments

26:30 – What Makes Alder Point’s Impact Strategy Different?

29:41 – Finding Biodiversity Opportunities

30:51 – Where Alder Point Invests

33:38 – Managing Climate Risk

35:16 – Investing in Climate-Risky Areas

37:13 – Working With Rural Communities

42:23 – Building Relationships for Successful Exits

44:25 – Lessons From the Allocator Side

48:04 – What’s Next for Alder Point?

50:14 – One Piece of Advice for New Forest Investors

52:17 – Where to Learn More

52:41 – Closing

Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives

Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.