Top Investors Behind Game-Changing 'Direct Air Capture' CO2 Tech

Learn about the major investors in DAC. Microsoft, Stripe, and United Airlines are accelerating innovation. Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates' philanthropic efforts.

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As we collectively strive to combat rising CO2 levels and emissions, the journey toward cleaner air demands time and substantial capital. However, a groundbreaking solution exists—one that mirrors the simple act of dusting your home to create a cleaner living space.

Imagine large-scale air cleaners or direct connections to chimneys swiftly and efficiently eliminating pollutants with minimal energy consumption.

This innovative technology, already proven in its effectiveness, allows for immediate action. Drawing a parallel to cleaning your home, we don't abandon it when dust accumulates; instead, we employ a duster to restore cleanliness. Similarly, large air cleaners, seamlessly integrated with chimneys, offer a low-energy, high-impact solution for cleaning our atmosphere.

Witnessing the success of this approach, investors are flocking to support pioneering companies at the forefront of this revolution. Notably, Ecol air (part of Norwegian Green Power) exemplifies the triumph of innovation in air purification. As the momentum grows and success stories unfold, investors are eager to align with companies driving real-time, efficient solutions to usher in a cleaner, healthier future.

In a calculated push towards climate innovation, Bill Gates has emerged as a pivotal player, strategically acquiring numerous companies at the forefront of air purification technology. His investments extend beyond technology, encompassing substantial stakes in farmland—an unexpected yet highly profitable avenue for carbon removal.

Bill Gates' multi-faceted approach not only positions him as a technology magnate but also as a shrewd investor in climate-resilient ventures. The removal of CO2 presents a dual advantage—substantial cost reduction for companies, shielding them from potential legal challenges, while simultaneously creating a lucrative market for trading in CO2 emissions. Savvy investors are discerning the patterns set by billionaires, understanding the vast opportunities embedded in

As of my last knowledge update in 2022, Bill Gates has been involved in supporting various initiatives related to carbon capture and clean energy, but the specific investments in Direct Air Capture (DAC) companies can change over time. Here are a few companies that Gates has been associated with in the clean energy and climate technology space:

1. Carbon Engineering Ltd: Based in Canada, Carbon Engineering is a leading company in the field of Direct Air Capture. They have developed technology to capture carbon dioxide directly from the air.
2. Climeworks AG: A Switzerland-based company, Climeworks is known for its innovative DAC technology. They aim to capture CO2 from the atmosphere for use in various applications.
3. CarbonCure Technologies: While not directly related to DAC, CarbonCure is a company that Gates has invested in. They focus on carbon capture in the concrete industry, helping reduce the carbon footprint of concrete production. this strategic landscape. One of the best and most proven solutions in the market comes from Colombia. The innovation was discovered many years ago by Mariana Pérez Palacio . Mr. Gates offered a ridiculous amount to buy out the young Colombian inventor to gain control of her patent, but she turned down his $25 million offer. I met with her several times to understand why, at the age of 26, she refused Bill Gates. She explained that her primary interest was in retaining control of the patent. It's important to note that while $25 million might seem like a substantial amount in the U.S., it holds even more significance for someone in Colombia.Mariana Pérez, the countrywoman from whom the Bill Gates Foundation wanted to buy her air treatment plantOne of the reasons behind her decision was that she found a strong partnership with Oslo-based Norwegian Green Power AS. The company has been highly successful in supporting startups in emerging markets. They've achieved success in various areas, ranging from solutions in waste management to cleaning ocean water with minimal energy consumption. Norwegian Green Power has played a pivotal role in numerous innovative and growth success stories.NGP - Eco-Lair has successfully implemented numerous working installations, partnering with leading companies such as Yamama, the Japanese multinational, among others. They are actively engaged in air purification projects for entire cities, achieving a remarkable 99% improvement in air quality for residents. Having personally visited several installations, I can attest to their impressive impact. What is even more noteworthy is that, over the past two years of operation, residents in the area have reported significantly fewer health issues, underscoring the innovation's invaluable contribution to large cities.It is essential to highlight that numerous other European capitals have acknowledged the potential of this technology to reduce healthcare costs and support the attainment of the Paris Agreement goals.

Despite the current challenges of cost and energy intensity, recent R&D investment influxes are propelling DAC toward scalable solutions capable of offsetting billions of tons of carbon emissions. As one of the key methods endorsed by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA), DAC holds the potential to capture 29 GtCO2 by 2100. However, with only 19 operational DAC plants capturing 0.01MtCO2 annually, rapid growth is imperative. The industry faces cost and technology readiness hurdles, currently at level 6 on the TRL scale.

Nevertheless, a surge in funding, including nearly USD$4bn in 2020 and notable investments from corporations like Microsoft, Stripe, and United Airlines, is accelerating innovation. Start-ups such as CarbonCapture, Climeworks AG, and Verdox are pioneering efficient, cost-effective DAC technologies. The momentum extends to philanthropic efforts, with Elon Musk's USD$100m prize and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative's USD$21m donation.

Norwegian Green Power is a leading player in the market. Additionally, several noteworthy companies are contributing to the DAC space:

Heirloom Carbon: Heirloom Carbon employs DAC mechanics to enhance carbon mineralization, utilizing magnesium or calcium oxides to react with CO2 and form carbonate materials. Their modular and automated approach aims for a cost-effective and scalable DAC solution.

Heirloom Carbon is partnering with leaders in climate technology, including logos from Ahren, Breakthrough Energy, Carbondirect, Lowcarbon, Microsoft, Grantham, Arpa, and Nsf. Our goal is to remove 1 billion tons of CO2 from the air by 2035 through the engineering of the most cost-effective and scalable direct air capture system.

Naturally occurring minerals, alongside forests, soils, and the ocean, serve as vital carbon sinks for our planet. Over geological timescales, carbon dioxide in the air and water chemically binds to these minerals, transforming them into stone permanently.

Heirloom Carbon technology enhances this natural process, known as carbon mineralization, accelerating the absorption of CO2 by minerals from the ambient air in days rather than years. By seamlessly combining the best of engineering and nature, we aim to provide the most cost-effective and scalable Direct Air Capture solution globally

1. Mission Zero: utilizes a novel carbon capture solvent that claims to be more efficient and requires 3-5 times less energy than traditional DAC technologies. Their modular form factor and reliance on solvents make it easier to power their technology entirely with renewables. Mission Zero is partnering with Mush Foundation and several others.Mission Zero turns on the UK’s first direct air capture plant to enable jet fuel made from air Our first commercially-funded direct air capture system will be used by the University of Sheffield to advance a critical Net Zero solution for decarbonizing UK aviation.
2. Sustaera: focuses on an alkali metal-based carbon capture agent powered by carbon-free electricity, boasting fast adsorption and desorption rates. As a recipient of Stripe’s recent CDR purchase, they are developing a pilot unit and plan to deploy their first commercial unit by the end of 2023Gates-Backed Fund Invests in Carbon Capture Startup Sustaera

1. Noya: Noya's innovative approach involves retrofitting existing cooling tower components on buildings to create a DAC unit. They offer to retrofit a business’s cooling tower for CO2 capture at no cost and pay the business for the captured CO2.
2. Verdox: Verdox is developing a DAC prototype using electrochemical cells for CO2 capture, employing quinone electrodes for a modular and renewable-powered solution.
3. Carbon Infinity: Carbon Infinity focuses on modular DAC units designed for mass production, envisioning large-scale manufacturing facilities to drive down costs.
4. Carbon Collect: Developed in partnership with Dr. Klaus Lackner’s team at Arizona State University, Carbon Collect's “Mechanical Trees (TM)” utilize passive air capture, claiming to be a thousand times more efficient than natural trees at removing CO2.
5. Carbon Capture: Co-founded by Bill Gross, Carbon Capture's DAC technology uses existing abundant capture materials, low-temperature solar thermal energy, and adaptable systems to improve efficiency and lower the cost of CO2 removal.

Amidst this momentum, Norwegian Green Power AS stands out as a leading growth company. Partnering with Manhattan-based Gleam Group , the company has become a hub for investors interested in DAC.

Have a look at the innovation:

The Director of Global Investment Relations, RJ Mollen ([email protected] ), plays a pivotal role in managing successful growth, expansion, and investment relations globally. As DAC gains traction, sustained investment across the supply chain and the establishment of a robust certification framework are essential for its continued success.

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