Kenyan startup Octavia Carbon has raised $3.9 million in seed funding to scale its innovative Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology, which aims to reduce carbon emissions by capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. The startup, founded just two years ago, is at the forefront of Africa’s efforts to address global climate change through cutting-edge technology.
Octavia’s CEO, Martin Freimüller, announced the funding at the ongoing GITEX Global tech expo in Dubai, revealing that the startup is expanding its operations after successfully capturing carbon earlier this year. The new funds, co-led by Lateral Frontiers and E4E Africa, will enable the company to build additional machines that capture CO2, with a goal of reaching 1,500 tons per year by 2025. This follows the success of Octavia’s existing machines, which have a capacity of 50 tons per year.
Expanding Carbon Capture in Africa
Octavia’s carbon capture technology works by removing CO2 from the air, liquefying it, and storing it underground in partnership with Cella Mineral Storage, a company specializing in carbon sequestration. Freimüller explained that the captured carbon will be injected into volcanic rock, where it will react with minerals to form stable compounds like limestone.
The startup plans to scale its carbon capture and storage operations across Kenya, where the geology of the Rift Valley region is ideal for CO2 storage. According to Freimüller, Kenya’s volcanic rocks have the capacity to store vast amounts of CO2, potentially enough to offset all of humanity’s cumulative emissions.
“Kenya’s unique geological conditions make it a prime location for our operations, and with the abundance of renewable energy, we have a competitive edge over similar projects in other regions,” Freimüller said.
A Global Push for Carbon Removal
Octavia’s work is part of a growing global effort to address climate change through DAC technology. With only a handful of large-scale DAC plants currently operational worldwide, including Climeworks’ Orca plant in Iceland and facilities in the U.S., Octavia’s entry into the market positions Africa as a key player in this emerging industry.
Globally, 130 DAC facilities are under development, with a goal of capturing 65 million tons of CO2 per year by 2030 to meet the targets for net zero emissions by 2050. Octavia aims to contribute significantly to these efforts, as the demand for carbon removal technologies continues to grow.
Freimüller, who co-founded Octavia with mechanical engineer Duncan Kariuki, previously worked at Dalberg, where he saw firsthand the opportunities presented by the climate sector. Octavia now employs a team of 60, with 40 engineers dedicated to research and development.
A Growing Market for Carbon Credits
In addition to its DAC operations, Octavia has also been generating revenue through the sale of carbon credits. The startup has already secured $1.1 million in advance sales and counts Danish marketplace Klimate among its major clients. As the company scales, it plans to offer more carbon credits to meet the rising demand for sustainable solutions.
Freimüller emphasized that while scaling DAC technology is challenging, it is an achievable goal. “It’s not easy, but with the power of engineering, we can push the boundaries of what’s possible,” he said.
As one of the finalists in the Xprize Carbon Removal competition, Octavia is poised to play a significant role in the fight against climate change, helping to accelerate carbon removal efforts in Africa and beyond.
