Vycarb, a climate technology start-up, has announced the successful raising of $5 million in seed funding to enhance its innovative, low-cost, water-based carbon capture and storage (CCS) system. Established in 2022 and based in Brooklyn, Vycarb is pioneering a novel approach to capturing carbon dioxide by converting it into dissolved bicarbonate within natural waters. This method leverages ocean-based chemistry alongside real-time sensor technology. The process utilises readily available minerals and continuous monitoring to ensure that the captured carbon is permanently stored and verifiable, which is crucial for the expanding carbon credit markets. Vycarb’s system is designed to be integrated at emission sources such as bioenergy facilities, power plants, cement and steel facilities, and coastal ports.
In addition to removing CO2 from the atmosphere, Vycarb’s process aims to mitigate ocean acidification. Unlike traditional CCS systems that depend on costly pipelines or gas compression, Vycarb’s modular approach can be implemented at industrial sites like cement plants, steel facilities, and ports, transforming existing water infrastructure into a climate solution.
Vycarb has successfully demonstrated its technology through field pilots, including a notable installation at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which captures CO2 from the East River. The company plans to utilise the new capital to accelerate development and expand its growing international deployment pipeline.
Dr. Garrett Boudinot, Founder and CEO of Vycarb, stated, “Our mission is to make CCS permanent, fully measurable, and scalable to address the urgency of the climate crisis. This investment enables us to further build our expert team and expand deployments at more sites worldwide, particularly where traditional carbon storage solutions are too expensive or infrastructure-intensive to be practical.”
The investment round was led by Twynam, with additional contributions from MOL Switch, Hatch Blue, Clocktower Ventures, Idemitsu, and SGInnovate. Johnny Kahlbetzer, CEO and Chair at Twynam, commented, “Decarbonising industry at scale demands bold solutions and that’s exactly what Vycarb delivers. Their system is elegant, effective, and deeply aligned with our vision to remove and permanently store CO2 at breakthrough unit economics.”
