Creating your first project on Ridge is the essential first step toward making your natural asset investment-ready. This guide walks you through adding your forest, farm, or conservation project to the platform, from initial setup to completion.
Before You Begin
Before creating a project, ensure you have:
- A verified Ridge account with completed organization profile
- Basic information about your natural asset (location, size, type)
- Access to supporting documents (ownership proof, permits) - optional but recommended
Step 1: Access the Project Dashboard
From your organization dashboard, click "Create New Project" in the top navigation or the project cards section. This launches the guided project creation workflow.
Step 2: Enter Basic Information
Provide fundamental details about your natural asset. Only the essentials are required at this stage - you can add more information later.
- Project Name: Choose a descriptive name that identifies your asset (e.g., "Alentejo Forest Estate")
- Asset Type: Select from forestry, agroforestry, farming, regenerative farming, conservation, rewilding, carbon farming, or wetland restoration
- Location: Enter the geographic location with country and region. GPS coordinates can be added later for precise mapping
- Size: Specify the total area in hectares
Step 3: Add Project Description
Write a brief description of your project. Include the key characteristics, any certifications (FSC, organic, regenerative), and what makes your asset unique. This description helps investors understand your project at a glance.
Step 4: Upload Supporting Documents (Optional)
While not required for initial project creation, uploading documents significantly improves your investment readiness score. Recommended documents include:
- Proof of ownership (property deed, land title)
- Property tax records or cadastral certificates
- Forest management plans or operational documents
- Sustainability certifications
- Recent photos or satellite imagery
Step 5: Review and Save
Review your entered information for accuracy. Click "Save as Draft" to save your progress, or "Create Project" to finalize. Your project will appear in your dashboard with a "Draft" status until you complete all required fields.
What Happens Next
After creating your project:
- Your project appears on your dashboard where you can track its status
- Ridge calculates an initial investment readiness score based on provided data
- You can progressively add more information to improve your score
- When ready, you can request Ridge compliance review for investor listing
Tips for Success
Projects with complete information receive higher investment readiness scores and attract more investor interest. Take time to provide accurate data - it forms the foundation of your investment case.
Summary
Creating your first project takes about 10-15 minutes. Remember, you can always return to add more details later. The more information you provide, the stronger your investment readiness score will be.