Dutch start-up SeaO2 has received over EUR 2 million in new investments. Utilising its breakthrough Direct Ocean Capture (DOC) technology, the company wants to remove one megatonne of CO2 from seawater by 2030 and a gigatonne by 2045.
The DOC technology efficiently extracts CO2 from seawater. SeaO2 aims to mitigate climate change by returning carbon-free water to the ocean, enhancing its ability to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. The funding will accelerate the development of its pioneering technology to achieve the 2030 and 2045 goals. SeaO2 is located in the Netherlands in Amsterdam and Leeuwarden and has an R&D facility at the Afsluitdijk.
Also read: SeaO2 startup extracts CO2 from seawater
From prototype to pilot plant
The recent investment round attracted support from prominent investors, including DOEN Participaties, NEW-TTT fund, Future Tech Ventures, CarbonFix, angel investors Eduard Talman and Siddharth Kambe and others. The over EUR 2 million funding will facilitate the transition from prototype to pilot plant, enhance team capabilities, and implement a comprehensive Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification system.
The pilot plant is expected to have an annual capacity of 250 tonnes of CO2 and is scheduled for launch in the summer of 2025.
Ruben Brands, CEO and co-founder of SeaO2, says: ‘This investment recognises our team’s hard work and dedication. With this extra support, which so far included grants, subsidies, our own investments, and early customers, we can scale our operations and accelerate our impact on climate change even more rapidly. It is a crucial step towards our goal of removing a megatonne of CO2 by 2030 and a gigatonne by 2045, advancing our mission in the fight against climate change.’
Milestones and recognition
Aside from the funding round, the company has established strategic partnerships with organisations, such as XPRIZE Carbon Removal, TU Delft, Klarna, Wetsus and Redstack laying a solid foundation for their growth in the climate tech industry. These partnerships have been instrumental in the company’s technological development and market expansion, highlighting its potential to lead in the industry.
In addition, SeaO2 has recently achieved significant milestones and recognition. Notably, it participated in a successful carbon removal project with Paebbl in the Wadden Sea, was recognised in the top 100 of the XPRIZE competition, and delivered award-winning pitches at The Next Web, Tech Tour Oceans, and Tech Tour Water.
‘Obviously, we want to scale up as fast as possible,’ adds Brands. ‘That’s why we have participated in several accelerator programmes like CEEZER, Blue Invest, AirMiners, and Remove. Currently, we are learning a lot by participating in the PortXL, Creative destruction lab/Xprize CDR programme and Ocean Vision programmes.’
Furthermore, joining key coalitions such as the Carbon Business Council, the Negative Emissions Platform, and CCU Alliantie underscores the company’s commitment to advancing climate tech initiatives.
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