Cleantech Startup Octavia Secures $5 Million for CO2 Removal and Storage Facility

Kenyan cleantech startup Octavia Carbon has made significant strides in the battle against climate change by raising $5 million in seed funding to enhance its carbon capture and storage capabilities. This funding will allow the company to scale its innovative Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology and build a large-scale CO2 storage facility in Naivasha, Kenya. The company aims to remove 1,000 tons of CO2 per year from the atmosphere through its “Project Hummingbird,” making it a pioneering force in carbon reduction for the Global South. The funds will also support Octavia’s growth and further advancements in its DAC technology .

DAC technology works by capturing CO2 directly from the air, addressing the overwhelming need to reduce atmospheric carbon levels. Octavia’s system is uniquely positioned, leveraging Kenya’s geothermal energy to power the energy-intensive DAC process. With the country’s abundant renewable energy resources, particularly in the Rift Valley, Octavia can operate at a lower cost compared to other regions. As a result, the company has built five at-scale DAC machines and is preparing for mass production .

The startup’s project will partner with Cella Mineral Storage, injecting the captured CO2 into basalt rock formations, where it will eventually mineralize. This method of permanent carbon sequestration is a major breakthrough in sustainable carbon capture, and the company’s work contributes to a growing carbon credit market that is expected to hit $50 billion by 2030 . Octavia’s initiatives not only address climate challenges but also create green jobs for local communities and contribute to climate innovation across the region.