CleanTechies Podcast #232 Why Google Bet Big on This Carbon Capture Startup—And Why It’s Cheaper | Anca Timofte (Holocene)
In this issue:
* How Holocene Landed Google as a Carbon Removal Customer: Discover how this startup secured a groundbreaking deal at $100/ton and what it means for the future of carbon credits.
* The Secret Behind Continuous Carbon Capture: Learn how Holocene’s liquid-based DAC technology is rewriting the rules with low energy costs and round-the-clock efficiency.
* From Climeworks to Holocene: Anca Timofte shares insider lessons from 12+ years in carbon capture and why she left a leading startup to build something even bigger.
Listen Time: Full Show 49:30 (no ads) | Free Preview 33:50
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In This Episode
In today’s episode of CleanTechies, we’re joined by Anca Timofte, the CEO and Founder of Holocene, a direct air capture (DAC) company revolutionizing carbon removal through a continuous-loop liquid system. With over a decade of experience in carbon capture—including being one of the first employees at Climeworks—Anca offers unparalleled insight into the challenges and opportunities of building climate solutions.
Anca walks us through:
* How Holocene’s novel organic chemistry enables a continuous carbon capture process that operates at low temperatures, drastically reducing energy costs.
* The differences between solid and liquid-based DAC technologies and why Holocene's system is a game-changer for scaling carbon removal.
* Holocene’s impressive milestones, including securing Google as a major customer and advancing pilot and demonstration projects.
* The lessons Anca has learned about building a startup, from co-founder alignment to hiring a mission-driven team in Knoxville, Tennessee.
* Why direct air capture is crucial, even in a decarbonized world, and how this industry can impact both legacy and ongoing emissions.
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📝 Show Notes:
Topics
(time stamps are accurate for the full episode and approximate for the free preview)
* 00:00 Intro
* 02:51 Understanding Direct Air Capture
* 05:54 Business Model and Customer Segments
* 08:54 Partnerships and Market Dynamics
* 11:48 Scaling and Project Deployment
* 15:06 Founding Story and Entrepreneurial Journey
* 24:52 Navigating Co-Founder Dynamics
* 25:48 Adapting to Political Changes
* 27:09 Embracing Uncertainty in Entrepreneurship
* 28:30 Bipartisan Support for Carbon Capture
—(Free Version ends here)—
* 30:19 Public Perception of Carbon Capture
* 32:15 Survival vs. Success in Carbon Capture
* 34:01 Building a Team in Knoxville
* 39:30 Engaging with the Local Community
* 41:07 Hiring Lessons Learned
* 43:20 Balancing Parenthood and Entrepreneurship
* 45:13 Unexpected Challenges in the Startup Journey
* 46:31 Valuing Team Dynamics
* 47:26 Resources for Climate Tech Founders
* 48:36 Encouragement for Carbon Capture Startups
Links
* Learn more about Holocene and their mission to scale carbon removal.
* Read the DOE report on direct air capture technologies here.
* Participate in the CleanTechies Listener Survey: Take Survey.
* Follow Anca Timofte on LinkedIn.
* Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn
* Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn
* Recommended Book: Horizon by Barry Lopez – A lyrical exploration of travel, nature, and climate.
* This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.
Highlights
* Continuous Carbon Capture: Holocene’s liquid-based system eliminates the interruptions seen in cartridge-based systems, allowing for seamless operation akin to a chemical production plant.
* Energy Efficiency: Operating at temperatures as low as 70°C, Holocene can tap into waste heat from industrial sources and data centers to power its systems.
* Partnership with Google: Holocene secured a landmark deal with Google outside of the Frontier Fund, selling carbon removal credits at the competitive price of $100/ton.
* Scaling Through Demonstration Projects: Following successful pilots, Holocene is engineering a 200-500x scale demonstration facility, aiming to advance toward full commercial operations.
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