Brineworks raises €6.8 million:Funding Powers Game-Changing Carbon Capture Innovation

Amsterdam-based startup Brineworks just secured €6.8 million in funding that could revolutionize how we capture carbon from the atmosphere. This climate technology breakthrough comes at exactly the right moment when the world desperately needs scalable solutions for decarbonization.

Brineworks Secures €6.8 Million Series A Funding Led by SeaX Ventures for Climate Technology

SeaX Ventures led this impressive funding round, bringing together heavyweight investors including Pale Blue Dot, First Momentum, AiiM Partners, Energie360°, and Katapult. This isn’t just money changing hands – it’s serious players betting on breakthrough climate technology that could genuinely shift how we tackle carbon emissions. Dr. Kid Parchariyanon from SeaX Ventures highlighted their focus on “visionary founders solving massive problems with science-backed solutions,” which perfectly describes what Brineworks represents for the climate tech sector.

Revolutionary Direct Air Capture Technology Targets Sub-€100 per Ton CO₂ Breakthrough

Here’s where things get absolutely incredible! Brineworks has cracked the code on ultra-low-cost Direct Air Capture using a patented electrolyzer that simultaneously produces hydrogen while capturing CO₂ directly from atmospheric air. They’re targeting costs below €100 per ton of captured carbon – that’s the holy grail number the entire industry has been chasing for years. Dr. Joseph Perryman, co-founder and Stanford-trained electrochemist, confirmed they’ve “proven a clear path to capturing CO₂ directly from air at below $100 per ton.” Their system works intermittently with renewable energy, solving the massive challenge of making DAC economically viable with solar and wind power.

European Innovation Council Awards Additional €1.8 Million Grant for Breakthrough Innovation

The European Union just threw serious weight behind Brineworks with a €1.8 million grant through the prestigious EIC Accelerator program – the EU’s flagship initiative for breakthrough innovations. This brings their total recent funding to over €8.6 million combined with the Series A round. Getting EIC backing means European innovation experts have examined their climate technology and given it their official stamp of approval. The grant specifically supports R&D advancement and pilot deployment, positioning Brineworks for rapid commercialization of their revolutionary carbon capture system.

Decarbonizing Aviation and Shipping Industries Through Sustainable E-Fuels Production

Brineworks is targeting the hardest-to-decarbonize sectors with their climate technology – aviation and maritime shipping. Aviation contributes 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions while shipping adds over 3%, and both industries have been struggling to find scalable carbon-neutral alternatives. The captured CO₂ and co-produced hydrogen create the essential building blocks for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and e-methanol for shipping. This approach enables any nation to produce clean fuels locally, provided they have renewable energy capacity, opening doors to energy independence and decentralized fuel production across the globe.

Amsterdam Startup Plans Commercial Deployment by 2026 with Renewable-Powered Electrolyzer

Since launching in late 2023, Brineworks has moved at lightning speed from concept to prototype validation, now targeting commercial readiness by end of 2026. The new funding accelerates scaling their system to pilot level, potentially enabling airlines to fly on carbon-neutral fuels before 2030. CEO Gudfinnur Sveinsson, a Columbia University graduate, emphasized that “renewable energy is becoming cheaper faster than anyone predicted,” with their electrolyzer designed to capitalize on this trend by running flexibly when renewable power is abundant and pausing when it’s not available.

The combination of Sveinsson’s climate policy expertise and Dr. Perryman’s Stanford electrochemistry background creates the perfect blend of understanding what needs to happen and knowing exactly how to make it reality. This represents a new wave of climate technology that’s both environmentally crucial and economically smart.

business model of Brineworks

Aspect	Details
How Company Started	Founded in late 2023 by CEO Gudfinnur Sveinsson (Columbia University graduate with climate policy background) and CTO Dr. Joseph Perryman (Stanford postdoctoral electrochemist). Started with breakthrough concept of combining Direct Air Capture with hydrogen production using patented electrolyzer technology.
Present Condition	Just secured €6.8M Series A funding led by SeaX Ventures plus €1.8M EU EIC grant. Successfully moved from concept to prototype validation in under 2 years. Based in Amsterdam with proven technology targeting sub-€100/ton CO₂ capture costs – a major industry breakthrough.
Future of Company & Industry	Targeting commercial deployment by end of 2026. If successful, could enable carbon-neutral aviation fuels before 2030. DAC market projected to reach $7.8 billion by 2028. Industry desperately needs cost-effective solutions for aviation (2.5% global emissions) and shipping (3%+ emissions).
Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs	Massive climate tech sector growing rapidly with increasing investor interest. Opportunities in renewable energy integration, sustainable fuels, carbon utilization technologies, and industrial decarbonization. Strong government support through EU programs and climate funding initiatives.
Market Share	Early-stage startup in emerging DAC market currently dominated by companies like Climeworks and Carbon Engineering. Addressable market includes $150B+ aviation fuel market and $125B+ marine fuel market seeking sustainable alternatives.
MOAT (Competitive Advantage)	Patented electrolyzer technology that co-produces hydrogen while capturing CO₂. Unique intermittent operation capability matching renewable energy availability. Sub-€100/ton cost target significantly lower than current DAC competitors. Dual-output system reduces overall production costs.
How Company Makes Money	Plans to sell captured CO₂ and hydrogen to e-fuel producers. Revenue from sustainable aviation fuel feedstocks and shipping e-methanol building blocks. Potential licensing of electrolyzer technology. Future carbon credit markets and direct industrial CO₂ sales.