Carbonsate

No Clay? No Problem. Last weekend, Pia Heinemann from the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung discussed a promising idea: burying trees in clay for long-term CO2 storage, inspired by research by Ning Zeng and his team at the University of Maryland. We at Carbonsate, however, use the same principle but an approach that does not require clay in order to work. Our focus is on creating artificial carbon sinks to bury unused biomass, and we’ve designed a system that can be deployed wherever biomass is available. This flexibility means our method is adaptable to a wide range of environments, without relying on specialized infrastructure. While clay might be a great solution where it's naturally available, our method shows that carbon storage can be just as effective without it. We are encouraged to see more discussions around biomass carbon storage, and we believe that versatility is key to making CO2 removal scalable. If you’re interested in learning more about our approach, feel free to reach out. Johanna Bröll, Fabian Sperling #netzero #carbonremoval #trees

Why we are not like other ClimateTech Startups.   At Carbonsate, we believe there’s more than one way to tackle carbon removal. While many focus on software or capex-heavy industrial methods, we chose a different path—decentralized, biomass-based carbon storage. It’s a solution that works where unused biomass is available, storing carbon locally, efficiently, and affordably. The decision to go this route wasn’t easy. We knew early on that if we wanted to make carbon removal truly scalable and accessible, we had to think beyond traditional models. It meant more complexity in planning but also much more flexibility to operate in more diverse locations and scenarios. What we’ve learned is that thinking differently leads to surprising solutions that fit real-world needs. Our approach may not be what you'd expect from a climate startup, but that’s exactly why it works. Our customers appreciate the effectiveness of decentralized biomass storage, and we’re proud to offer them an option that aligns with their net-zero goals. Curious how this model works? Let’s connect! 🌱 #carbonremoval #biomass #greentech

No One Thought We Would Make It This Far! 🎉 One year of Carbonsate, and WOW – what a journey! 🚀 From navigating dozens of investor talks to finally securing the backing we needed, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. But when we focused on becoming the most efficient and affordable solution in the CDR market, everything changed. In just 12 months, we have secured our first investors, won grants, developed breakthrough technology, and proven our concept. It’s been an incredible ride, full of challenges and victories, but we are only just getting started. What’s next? Currently, we are implementing a pilot project in Germany and expanding international partnerships. Big things are coming! Thanks to our investors, partners and supporters, Carbonsate has been able to thrive and innovate in the past year. We look forward to continuing our success in the years to come. Happy Birthday, Carbonsate! 🎉 #carbonremoval #birthday #startup

We are thrilled to announce that Carbonsate has secured a grant from the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (#BMWK) through their IGP program! This grant will support our pilot project in Germany, helping us advance our biomass storage carbon removal technology across Europe. Grants like this are critical for early-stage companies like ours. They provide the resources needed to scale innovation, de-risk technologies, and accelerate progress. Most importantly, they reflect a shared commitment to tackling climate change by investing in groundbreaking solutions. This grant brings us one step closer to making a lasting impact on carbon removal and advancing sustainable solutions in Europe. Exciting times ahead! #ClimateTech #CarbonRemoval #Innovation Johanna Broell Fabian Sperling

We almost became investors this week... here's what we learned.   During Finance Week at SpinLab - The HHL Accelerator, we had the unique opportunity to step into the shoes of an investor and look at startup investments from a completely new perspective. This role-playing exercise pushed us to think like those who would invest in our business, helping us see typical pitfalls and how to avoid them. Crafting a financial strategy can be overwhelming, and there are so many things you can do wrong. With tailored mentoring, brainstorming around our specific business model, and a solution sprint to refine our financial strategy, we’re now more prepared than ever. A big shoutout to SpinLab - The HHL Accelerator and the fantastic mentors and coaches Gwendolyn Schröter, Bjoern Bauermeister, CFA, Hendrik Schulze, David Blazek, and Eric Weber for their invaluable insights and challenging questions, which helped us untangle the complexities of finding the best financial strategy for our startup.

Feeling the Burn. Over the weekend, we witnessed a stark reminder of the immediate effects of #climatechange. While attending the Future Forest Initiative Forum in Blankenburg, a forest fire struck the region. The forum was an inspiring event that brought together stakeholders from across the forestry sector to discuss the critical role of forests in climate protection. We made valuable connections that will help Carbonsate advance our mission in carbon removal. The forest fire in the Harz was a stark reminder of climate change's immediate impacts, highlighting the urgency of our work in protecting forests and advancing biomass storage to mitigate these risks. Collaboration between sectors is essential to create lasting climate solutions, and we’re proud to be part of this effort. It was great to see familiar faces Uwe Buchholz 🌿, Johannes Simons von Bockum Dolffs, Ole Seidenberg, Lucas von Fürstenberg and meet new friends Lawrence Mukum Annoh, Fanso F. , David Hasert, Niklas Veltmann, Antonia Burchard-Levine and many more! #forest #climateimpact #carbonremoval

Highlights from our incredible first week at SpinLab - The HHL Accelerator! We started by getting to know the other startups of class #17, expanding our network, and sharing inspiring conversations about solutions to the most pressing problems of our times. Building these connections is truly invaluable on our startup journey. certflow, coobi, Upgreen, OnkoPass, windfire, NIMBLE Diagnostics, JustHealth, clever bioTechnologies, The Academy for Climate Jobs We've been deeply engaged in discussions about the "Path to the Rainbow," a concept that helps us focus on the essential activities and KPIs for our current phase. This guidance is already proving to be a game-changer. As we get ready for Mentors Day today, we are excited to meet and learn from SpinLab's incredible network of mentors. Their insights and support will be pivotal as we scale biomass storage for carbon removal. Excited for what's ahead! 🚀✨ #carbonremoval #startups #mentoring

🌱 Unlocking the Secrets of Decomposition 🌱 Understanding how biomass decomposes is essential for managing our carbon storage. During decomposition, methane—a potent greenhouse gas—is released in small quantities, making it difficult to detect. The challenge is not only in developing sensitive sensor technology but also in managing the energy required for precise measurements. Our advanced system accurately measures critical decomposition parameters, providing valuable insights into the conditions within our storage chambers after site closure. This enhances our ability to monitor and manage these environments effectively. #MethaneDetection #EnvironmentalMonitoring #CarbonRemoval

🌟 Yesterday, we had a productive and insightful workshop with GuD Geotechnik und Dynamik Consult GmbH, a leading civil engineering firm in Germany, diving deep into the civil engineering design of our biomass storage projects. 🏗️   From regulation to cost structures in construction projects, we covered crucial topics that enhance our projects' efficiency and sustainability.   Our discussions focused on:   ✅ Specific design of our storage chambers ✅ Water management strategies ✅ potential synergies with infrastructure construction projects   A special thanks to Matthias Römer from GUD Consult for sharing his wealth of experience and providing valuable insights. We feel confident and well-supported in our ongoing and future projects. 🚀🤝   #carbonremoval #startup #construction

🌿 Exciting Day at Our Proof-of-Concept Site in Dresden! 🌿 Today, our team visited our proof-of-concept project site again. It was an incredible experience to excavate the stored woody biomass and assess its potential decomposition. We stored the wood underground over a year ago and are happy to report that our unique storage site design limited the decomposition effectively. These findings increase our confidence that biomass storage is a powerful and promising method to store carbon underground durably. A special shoutout to our amazing interns Lizette Crooks, Brandon Tran and Pia Richmond who weren't afraid to get their hands dirty and dive into the hard work. #engineering  #carbonremoval #biomass