MiON Forest’s Cutting-Edge Strategy for Tree Planting

MiON Forest, based in Hamilton, is at the forefront of innovating reforestation through advanced climate technology. Co-founded by Sanghyun Kim, the organization aims to address the inefficiencies of traditional tree-planting methods while increasing survival rates. Their suite of tools includes the MiON Pot, Smart Planting AI, and a pioneering tree-planting drone, setting them apart from other reforestation initiatives that often rely on seed-dropping or manual planting, which frequently yield poor results.

Kim's recognition of the urgent need for better reforestation strategies arose from witnessing the gap between ambitious environmental goals and the shortcomings of conventional methods. With a background in forest ecology and biotechnology gained through research experiences in Korea, Sweden, and Canada, he developed a system that implants actual young trees with precision rather than scattering seeds, significantly enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in large-scale reforestation efforts. Currently, MiON Forest is piloting its technology in regions such as Ontario, Quebec, and Michigan.

Kim's entrepreneurial journey in Hamilton has been marked by substantial support from the local community, particularly through McMaster University. His participation in the "Startup Survivor" competition provided essential resources such as funding, workshops, and mentorship. The university continued to aid MiON Forest by facilitating student internships and offering co-working space at McMaster Innovation Park, contributing to the company’s rapid growth. This backing led to several accolades, including a federal IDEA Fund grant and being recognized as one of Canada’s Top Student Entrepreneurs for 2025.

One key moment for Kim was realizing Hamilton's ecological potential, especially with its proximity to the Royal Botanical Gardens and fertile lands. He underscores Hamilton not just as a residence but as an ideal environment for MiON Forest to flourish.

Looking ahead, MiON Forest envisions itself as a transformative entity in global reforestation in the next two to three years. Rather than simply trying to plant more trees, the organization aims to demonstrate that healthy forests can be developed in even the toughest environments. They intend to challenge notions of feasibility in reforestation and engage with Indigenous and local communities to redefine how environmental restoration is approached, with a focus on incorporating scientific innovation and advanced technology.

Success to Kim is straightforward—it's about ensuring that planted trees thrive and restoring environments deemed impossible to recover. His ambitious vision even extends to future endeavors like planting trees on Mars, emphasizing the potential for growth in even the most inhospitable conditions.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those who are recent immigrants in Hamilton, Kim encourages taking the plunge into entrepreneurship without delay. He understands the initial hurdles that can seem daunting but believes that the opportunity to start a venture should not be postponed, emphasizing that influencing change starts now.

Overall, MiON Forest embodies a forward-thinking approach to one of the pressing issues of our time: reforestation and climate change, with innovative solutions that aim to reshape the future of ecological restoration globally.