A Microbial Approach to Carbon Removal

Sep 7, 2023

Gonzalo Fuenzalida-Meriz, CEO of Andes, discusses how their startup uses microorganisms to remove carbon from the atmosphere. They introduce microbes into soil alongside agricultural seeds to expedite CO2 transformation. Andes also genetically modifies microorganisms to improve nitrogen fixation in crops, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. The podcast explores the significance of organic carbon in soil, the challenges of decomposing it, and the process of applying microbes for carbon removal.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Microbes: Transforming Agriculture and Fighting Climate Change

01:43 • 19min

Exploring Target Market and Soil Carbon Reservoirs

20:15 • 2min

The Importance of Organic Carbon in Soil

22:26 • 7min

Applying Microbes for Carbon Removal

29:24 • 12min

Financing and Scaling Challenges for a Carbon Removal Company

41:32 • 2min

Starting a Startup Company and the Intersection of Climate and Biology

43:48 • 2min

Gonzalo Fuenzalida-Meriz is the CEO and co-founder of Andes, a startup that employs microorganisms to tackle CO2 removal. Specifically, they introduce microorganisms into soil alongside agricultural seeds. As these microorganisms grow with plant roots, they expedite the transformation of CO2 into minerals, which contributes to soil inorganic carbon.

The MCJ pod has featured startups exploring methods to amend soil for carbon removal, including biochar and enhanced rock weathering. It’s intriguing to hear how Andes utilizes microorganisms to achieve a similar result.

Gonzalo and Cody delve into the company's origins, revealing their initial focus on enhancing crop resiliency, and their transition to carbon removal. Beyond the concept of microbial carbon mineralization, Andes also harnesses a different microorganism, one they genetically modify, to increase corn's ability to affix nitrogen into the soil and thus reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers. There's a lot to unpack in this one.

In this episode, we cover:

[02:08]: An overview of Andes and its origins
[05:45]: Current challenges in crop resiliency
[07:52]: Natural history of microbes and their relation to plants and humans
[12:37]: Andes' two programs: microbes for nitrogen and CO2 capture
[15:22]: In-depth look at Andes' nitrogen program
[20:41]: Andes' second program and overview of organic carbon
[24:57]: Soil inorganic carbon and the role of lime in farming and carbon capture
[29:25]: How Andes' solutions are applied on farms and economics of business model
[34:54]: Andes' Microbial Carbon Mineralization (MCM) methodology and potential for carbon credits
[39:49]: How Gonzalo thinks about scaling and fundraising
[43:48]: His advice for entrepreneurs looking for opportunities in this space

Get connected:

Gonzalo Fuenzalida-Meriz LinkedIn
Cody Simms X / LinkedIn
MCJ Podcast / Collective

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Episode recorded on Aug 29, 2023 (Published on Sep 7, 2023)

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant