# Upstream Carbon

> Upstream Carbon is a Boston-based climate data and analytics company that uses AI and geospatial modeling to help landowners, municipalities, and organizations identify land conservation and carbon credit opportunities.

Company page on Leadbay: https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/company/upstreamcarbon.com · loaded 2026-10-29

## At a glance

- Website: https://upstreamcarbon.com
- Team based in: Boston (upstreamcarbon.com and 1 more)
- Founded: 2023 (upstreamcarbon.com and 1 more)
- Founders: Matt Sanda
- Industry: Climate Data and Analytics
- Employees: 2 (employees and founders, investors not counted; upstreamcarbon.com and 1 more)
- Backed by: Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, United States Department of Agriculture
- Seen in its site's code: Hotjar (static.hotjar.com), Webflow (data-wf-site=), Google Workspace (MX alt1.aspmx.l.google.com), SendGrid (TXT sendgrid.net) (read 2026-10-30)

## What it sells, to whom

- Upstream Carbon is a Boston-based climate data and analytics company that uses AI and geospatial modeling to help landowners, municipalities, and organizations identify land conservation and carbon credit opportunities. ([upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/), [linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/in/scottlindeman))

## Why it stands out

- $200,000 MassCEC AmplifyMass grant (2026) ([masscec.com](https://www.masscec.com/press/healey-driscoll-administration-awards-98-million-advance-climatetech-companies-and), [pubt.io](https://www.pubt.io/view/107B56D3C4622DDC8F04A5E52D4F2F34240DE576), [upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/post/massachusetts-awards-upstream-carbon-grant-for-land-use-decision-support))
- USDA Forest Service funding (Inflation Reduction Act Forest Landowner Support initiative) ([masscec.com](https://www.masscec.com/press/healey-driscoll-administration-awards-98-million-advance-climatetech-companies-and), [pubt.io](https://www.pubt.io/view/107B56D3C4622DDC8F04A5E52D4F2F34240DE576), [upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/post/massachusetts-awards-upstream-carbon-grant-for-land-use-decision-support))
- Competes with: ZeroSix ([linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/zerosixcarboncredit))

## Products and services

- Walden (land-use decision-support platform) ([upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/), [upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/carbon-credits), [upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/software-licensing))
- Forest carbon credits ([upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/), [upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/carbon-credits), [upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/software-licensing))
- Predictive geospatial land-use intelligence services ([upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/), [upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/carbon-credits), [upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/software-licensing))
- Strategic land-use consulting ([upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/), [upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/carbon-credits), [upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/software-licensing))

## Customers and markets

- **Customers**: Town of Plymouth, North County Land Trust ([upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/post/massachusetts-awards-upstream-carbon-grant-for-land-use-decision-support))
- **Markets**: Privately owned forestland owners (at least 30 acres). ([upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/), [upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/for-partners))
- **Markets**: Land trusts and conservation partners. ([upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/), [upstreamcarbon.com](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/for-partners))

## Team

- Matt Sanda, Founder
- Dani Hansen, Director, Strategic Partnerships & Growth
- Sarah Power, Head of Geospatial Science

Backed by: Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, United States Department of Agriculture

## Where to find more

- [This page in Markdown, for agents](https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/company/upstreamcarbon.com.md)

## Decision makers

- [Matt Sanda](https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/person/matt-sanda--upstreamcarbon.com.md), Founder
- [Dani Hansen](https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/person/dani-hansen--upstreamcarbon.com.md), Director, Strategic Partnerships & Growth
- [Sarah Power](https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/person/sarah-power--upstreamcarbon.com.md), Head of Geospatial Science

Work emails and direct phones come with a Leadbay account: https://wow.leadbay.ai/?register=true

Where it comes from: 13 sites read (upstreamcarbon.com, linkedin.com, fliarbi.com, climatebase.org, roanokecooperative.com, offshore-energy.biz, upstreamonline.com, tracxn.com, …).

## Best angle

2026-08-26 · Fundraising: Upstream Carbon reshared Matt Sanda: Good news everyone! Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded Upstream Carbon a $200k grant to enhance our AI maps - presenting the data behind our carbon program (2 sources)

## Signals: what happened

- 2026-10-22 · News: We need all the advice we can get from experts in the voluntary carbon market because we are a new carbon developer. That's why we formed our Quality Advisory Board! Who's on … (1 source: [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mattsanda_quality-advisory-board-conclusions-part-activity-7519055244383711233-g4eJ))
- 2026-10-01 · Traffic: Site visits up 255% in 3 months, 1,075 a month (1 source: [A company database](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/))
- 2026-08-26 · Fundraising: Upstream Carbon reshared Matt Sanda: Good news everyone! Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded Upstream Carbon a $200k grant to enhance our AI maps - presenting the data behind our carbon program (2 sources: [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/upstream-carbon_activity-7498367227599966208-rOaR), [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mattsanda_sustainabledevelopment-climateaction-landuse-activity-7498366672559362049-FLXP))
- 2026-06-08 · News: 🎉 We are thrilled to have Fiona Jordan join Upstream Carbon this summer as our Program & Partnerships Intern through the MassCEC Internships Clean Energy Internship Program. (1 source: [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dani-hansen-msph_we-are-thrilled-to-have-fiona-jordan-join-activity-7469811632395796480-MLZf))
- 2026-04-13 · News: Upstream Carbon is looking for a Head of Geospatial Science! (1 source: [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/upstream-carbon_head-of-geospatial-science-260409-activity-7449514410055839744-w9OP))
- 2026-03-10 · News: Carbon programs shouldn’t only be understandable to experts. I’ve learned that small-acreage landowners have a lot to gain from programs like ours — but they need information that's clear and approachable. (1 source: [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dani-hansen-msph_how-forests-carbon-credits-and-conservation-activity-7437238430838890496-6FVS))
- 2026-03-09 · News: How Forests, Carbon Credits and Conservation Can Work for North Carolina Landowners – Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project (1 source: [roanokecooperative.com](https://www.roanokecooperative.com/2026/03/how-forests-carbon-credits-and-conservation-can-work-for-north-carolina-landowners/))
- 2025-10-27 · News: 🌲 We're building forest carbon markets that work for everyone, especially American forest landowners. (1 source: [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/upstream-carbon_conservation-netzero-carboncredits-activity-7388563893427646464-soRN))
- 2025-05-15 · News: Upstream Carbon, Inc. (1 source: [climatebase.org](https://climatebase.org/company/1139721/upstream-carbon-inc))
- 2024-01-01 · News: Supplementary information to "Fewer entities need to comply with an upstream carbon accounting framework" (1 source: [doi.org](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26300851.v2))

## Working on now

- Expanding accessibility of Walden land-use platform in Massachusetts with state grant support.
- Developing avoided-conversion forest carbon projects under the TREE program.
- Assembling landowners for pilot projects with first carbon credit vintage expected in early 2027.
- Engaging with municipal planning departments, land trusts, and conservation commissions for platform feedback.

From: [Massachusetts awards Upstream Carbon grant for land-use decision support](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/post/massachusetts-awards-upstream-carbon-grant-for-land-use-decision-support), [Conservation Easements Explained: A Guide for Landowners](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/post/conservationeasements)

## Summary

Upstream Carbon is a climate-tech company that uses AI and geospatial modeling to identify forestland at risk of development. It operates a platform called Walden that provides land-use intelligence to municipalities and land trusts and manages a carbon program that generates avoided-conversion forest carbon credits. The company sells these credits to companies seeking to offset emissions while paying landowners for permanent conservation easements on their property. Founded in 2023 by Matt Sanda, the company received a $200,000 grant from Massachusetts in September 2026 to expand its platform. Its first carbon credit vintage is expected in early 2027.

[1]: https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/ "Forest Intelligence & High-Integrity Carbon Credits | Upstream Carbon"
[2]: https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/post/massachusetts-awards-upstream-carbon-grant-for-land-use-decision-support "Massachusetts awards Upstream Carbon grant for land-use decision support"
[3]: https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/for-companies "High-Integrity Forest Carbon Credits for Companies | Upstream Carbon"
[4]: https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/carbon-credits "Forest Carbon Credits for Landowners, Buyers & Partners | Upstream Carbon"
[5]: https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/for-partners "Carbon Funding for Land Trusts & Conservation Partners | Upstream Carbon"
[6]: https://climatebase.org/company/1139721/upstream-carbon-inc "Upstream Carbon, Inc. | Climatebase"
[7]: https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/for-landowners "Forest Carbon Credits for Landowners | Upstream Carbon"
[8]: https://www.roanokecooperative.com/2026/03/how-forests-carbon-credits-and-conservation-can-work-for-north-carolina-landowners/ "How Forests, Carbon Credits and Conservation Can Work for North Carolina Landowners – Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project"

## Sources

- [Upstream Carbon's website](https://upstreamcarbon.com)
- [Conservation Easements Explained: A Guide for Landowners](https://www.upstreamcarbon.com/post/conservationeasements)
- [2025 Climatebase Fellowship Wins + Apply to Cohort 9](https://stories.climatebase.org/p/2025-climatebase-fellowship-wins-apply-to-cohort-9)