This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit cleantechies.substack.com

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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