YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS LEADING CLIMATE TECH INNOVATION

By Glenn Ongalo 13 Dec, 2024 3 mins read 15 views

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Executive Summary

We highlight innovations in carbon removal (biochar and direct-air-capture) and sustainable development (organic fertilizer, off-grid solar). Key additions include CarbonZero.Eco (USA), Noya (USA), Heirloom Carbon (USA), Safi Organics (Kenya), and Easy Solar (Sierra Leone). Collectively these companies demonstrate measurable impacts – for example, CarbonZero's first plant will convert ~1.5 million tons of almond waste into biochar, sequestering ~1.5 million tons of CO₂, and Easy Solar's pay-as-you-go systems now reach ~350,000 people in West Africa. The expanded evidence shows more diverse geography (North America and Africa), a surge in carbon-capture tech (biochar, modular DAC), and new synergies between climate goals and local development (farm incomes, jobs, energy access).

Our overall findings underscore that young-led startups are pushing both carbon-centric and equity-focused solutions. For instance, modular DAC companies (Noya, Heirloom) aim for megaton-scale CO₂ removal, while rural-focused innovators like Safi and Easy Solar improve yields and lighting for thousands of households. These ventures are also attracting significant funding (several million in seed funding or large-scale investments) and creating new green jobs. In sum, the expanded survey confirms that cutting-edge climate technologies now span a wider range of regions and sectors, integrating environmental impact with social and economic benefits.

Introduction and Background

Climate change poses urgent challenges that demand innovative solutions across energy, agriculture, and industry. In recent years a new generation of entrepreneurs (often under age 35) has founded startups delivering climate-positive technologies – from renewable power to carbon capture and sustainable farming. The original report catalogued several such companies; this update incorporates additional examples to reflect current trends. We retain the previous background on climate imperatives and the need for emission reduction and resilience. Now, alongside older cases, we introduce new startups from North America and Africa that leverage biochar, direct-air capture (DAC), off-grid solar, and other approaches. The background context remains the same: global targets require both cutting emissions and actively removing CO₂, while ensuring equitable access to clean energy and livelihoods.

Data and Analysis

The table below summarizes each startup's name, founders, country, solution, and impact metrics. Impact metrics include CO₂ removed, energy or resource access provided, waste diverted, jobs created, number of users/farmers served, and funding raised. Each entry is cited to credible sources.

CarbonZero.Eco (USA) – Co-founded by Harper Moss (CEO, 16 years old) and Gregory Ray in 2022. This Silicon Valley company produces biochar from agricultural waste to enable regenerative farming and carbon sequestration. Its first biochar plant (Colusa County, CA) will convert ~1.5 million tons of almond shells into biochar annually, preventing ~1.5 million tons of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere. CarbonZero has secured ~$7 million in farm contracts (300+ almond growers) and $3.5 million in seed funding to scale its operations.¹

Noya (USA) – Founded in 2020 by MIT alumni Josh Santos (CEO) and Daniel Cavero (CTO). Noya develops modular, low-energy direct-air capture (DAC) units that can be stacked like "LEGO bricks" to scale CO₂ removal. The company's pilot DAC facility is under construction, and its first full-scale system is planned to capture "millions of tons" of CO₂ per year. Noya has raised venture backing and lined up carbon-credit customers: it reports already securing "millions of dollars in presales" of carbon removal credits from partners (e.g. Shopify, Watershed) to fund its build-out.²

Heirloom Carbon (USA) – Founded in 2020 by Shashank Samala, a PhD engineer. Heirloom applies an accelerated limestone-based DAC process. Its first commercial plant (Tracy, CA) opened in late 2023 and can capture up to 1,000 tons CO₂ per year. A second major facility is planned: the company announced a $475 million investment (with U.S. DOE support) to build another DAC plant in Louisiana. The Louisiana project alone is expected to create 81 new permanent jobs. Heirloom markets its technology as a low-cost, scalable route to permanent CO₂ removal, aiming ultimately for billion-ton impact.³⁴

Safi Organics (Kenya) – Co-founded by Kevin Kung (MIT PhD) and Samuel Rigu, Safi creates carbon-negative organic fertilizer from local crop residues (e.g. rice husks). The biochar-based soil amendments neutralize acidity and boost nutrients. Field trials show ~30% yield increases in farmers' crops from a single application. Over 5,000 smallholder farmers in Kenya have purchased Safi's fertilizers to date. Safi's product also sequesters carbon: its biochar stays inert in soil for centuries, roughly 1.7 tons of CO₂ removed per acre of use. The company is using MIT-developed torrefaction reactors, and seeks to expand across Africa and South Asia.⁵⁶

Easy Solar (Sierra Leone) – Co-founded in 2016 by Enyonam N. Mosia and Alexandre Tourre (Columbia SIPA grads). Easy Solar distributes off-grid pay-as-you-go solar systems (lanterns, home kits) via agents and mobile payments. Customers make micro-payments to unlock light and phone charging. As of 2020, Easy Solar had reached ~50,000 households (~350,000 people) in Sierra Leone and Liberia, employing over 500 local staff. This brought reliable lighting to remote communities, saving them more than $5 million per year in energy costs. The company has won social entrepreneurship awards and continues scaling its network of shops and finance options across West Africa.⁷⁸

Key Findings

Global & Regional Reach: The expanded list now spans North America and Africa. U.S. startups (CarbonZero, Noya, Heirloom) focus on cutting-edge carbon removal tech, while African firms (Safi, Easy Solar) address local energy and food security. For example, Safi Organics' Kenya-based solution leverages local ag-waste to improve smallholder yields, and Easy Solar's Sierra Leone network brings electricity to hundreds of thousands. This broadens the report's scope to include challenges and innovations in developing regions, highlighting climate-tech entrepreneurship beyond Western markets.

Carbon Capture Innovations: New carbon removal approaches emerge. CarbonZero.Eco uses biochar to lock carbon in soil while aiding farming (turning 1.5M tons of waste into 1.5M tons CO₂ avoided). Noya and Heirloom pursue direct air capture at scale: Noya's modular units aim for "millions of tons" of CO₂/year, and Heirloom's limestone DAC already operates at 1,000 tCO₂/yr. The presence of these startups, along with funding rounds (e.g. Heirloom's $475M project), signals growing momentum in carbon removal R&D and deployment.

Energy Access & Ag Innovation: Off-grid solar and sustainable agriculture are prominent. Easy Solar's PAYG model demonstrates how tech financing can electrify rural communities cost-effectively. Safi Organics shows that local circular agriculture can boost yields and sequester carbon simultaneously. These cases highlight synergies between climate and development goals: improved crop income and clean energy access can reinforce climate action.

Social Impact & Jobs: Many of these startups emphasize equity. Easy Solar has created ~500 jobs for Sierra Leoneans, while Safi's sales have lifted farmer incomes by enabling more harvest revenue. CarbonZero works directly with hundreds of farmers for feedstock. Heirloom's DAC projects also promise workforce development (e.g. 81 jobs in Louisiana). In summary, the innovations generate economic opportunities in addition to environmental gains, aligning climate innovation with social equity.

Investment & Scaling: The new data show substantial financing flowing to climate startups. CarbonZero raised $3.5M in seed funds; Noya and Heirloom have attracted private capital and government support; and Easy Solar and Safi likely leverage grants and impact investments (exact figures vary). Such funding reflects investor confidence in young innovators and suggests a healthy pipeline for scaling these technologies.

Recommendations

Support Emerging Carbon Removal: Encourage R&D and scale-up of carbon sequestration innovations (biochar, DAC). This could include public grants or incentives for projects like CarbonZero.Eco's biochar plants and Heirloom's DAC hubs. Policies that credit permanent removal (e.g. soil carbon credits) will help these startups thrive.

Expand Off-Grid Energy Financing: Promote pay-as-you-go and micro-finance models for solar solutions in underserved regions. Government or development funding can back platforms like Easy Solar's online portal and agent networks, accelerating clean energy access and local entrepreneurship.

Integrate Climate-Agriculture Solutions: Support agritech that combines productivity with carbon benefits. For example, provide extension services or pilot programs for carbon-negative fertilizers (like Safi's) and regenerative farming. Agricultural subsidies or carbon-offset schemes could reward practices that improve yields and sequester CO₂.

Invest in Youth-Led Innovation: Many founders are under 35; dedicated accelerator and mentorship programs can amplify their impact. Funding mechanisms (competitions, seed funds) targeting young entrepreneurs in climate tech – especially in the Global South – will foster more diverse solutions.

Foster Public-Private Collaboration: Encourage partnerships between startups, large firms, and governments. For instance, offtake agreements (like Noya's corporate presales) and public funding (as in Heirloom's DOE-backed projects) are key. Collaborative R&D with universities or industry can help commercialize new technologies.

Monitor Social & Environmental Co-Benefits: Ensure that climate investments also drive local development. When evaluating projects (like solar deployment or DAC plants), include metrics for job creation, income growth, or community impact. This holistic approach will maximize both climate and societal benefits.

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