Austin's getting another tech HQ.
Zurich-based climate tech company Climeworks said March 13 that it has opened its U.S. headquarters in Austin. The 13,291-square-foot space is at 2043 S Lamar Blvd., near the intersection with West Oltorf Street.
The company, which also has offices in New York and Washington, D.C., plus in California, has more than 450 total employees worldwide. It currently has 31 employees in the U.S., though not all are permanently located in Austin. It plans to triple its U.S. headcount, with a majority of the hiring for its Austin office, which will be led by Douglas Chan, its chief operations officer.
Climeworks plans to hire for roles in engineering, project management, supply chain and more. It currently has 26 Austin-based roles listed on its website.
Climeworks said it picked Austin for its headquarters because of its talent pool, central location and quality of life.
The company, founded in 2009, specializes in direct air capture carbon removal. Its plants and turbines suck carbon dioxide out of the air and put it in the ground for storage. Eventually, it essentially becomes rock.
Microsoft and Shopify are among big corporate customers who have purchased future carbon removal services. Individuals can also purchase carbon removal from the company to help offset their personal carbon footprint.
In 2022, Climeworks landed $650 million in equity funding co-led by Partners Group and GIC. Other investors include venture capitalist John Doerr and insurance company Swiss Re Group.
Last year, the U.S. Department of Energy announced three projects the company has worked on in Louisiana, North Dakota and California would be eligible for more than $600 million in government backing.
Climeworks recently announced a partnership with Swiss International Air Lines and the Lufthansa Group to accelerate the scale-up of carbon removal and signed a catalytic carbon removal agreement that's active through 2030.
