List of Carbon Capture and Utilization Startups

The Carbon Capture and Utilization Startup Landscape

The CCUS startup ecosystem has grown rapidly, with over 300 companies now developing technologies to capture CO2 from industrial sources or directly from the atmosphere and convert it into useful products or store it permanently. Global venture capital investment in the sector exceeded $700 million in 2024 alone, driven by regulatory incentives like the US Inflation Reduction Act’s 45Q tax credits and growing corporate net-zero commitments.

Key Technology Categories

Direct Air Capture (DAC)

Companies like Climeworks and Heirloom capture CO2 directly from ambient air. Climeworks uses chemical filter systems at its Mammoth plant in Iceland (36,000 tonnes/year capacity), while Heirloom accelerates natural limestone mineralization at its Tracy, California facility—America’s first commercial DAC plant.

Point-Source Capture

Startups such as Carbon Clean and Svante focus on capturing emissions at industrial facilities (cement, steel, power plants). Carbon Clean’s modular CycloneCC system reduces the physical footprint of capture equipment by up to 50%, while Svante’s solid sorbent filters can be manufactured at its Burnaby gigafactory at scale.

Carbon Utilization

CarbonCure injects captured CO2 into concrete, permanently mineralizing it while improving concrete strength. Other startups convert CO2 into fuels, chemicals, building materials, and carbon-negative plastics.

Funding and Market Trajectory

The global CCS market was valued at approximately $8.1 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $18.1 billion by 2032, growing at a 13% CAGR. The largest venture rounds include Climeworks ($650M Series E), Carbon Clean ($150M Series C), Heirloom ($150M Series B), and Svante ($145M Series E). Corporate investors—including Chevron, Samsung, United Airlines, and Microsoft—are increasingly active, driven by advance purchase agreements for carbon removal credits.

Regional Hotspots