A Denver-based hydrogen exploration startup that’s raised some $337 million to date plans to establish a new lab at Ohio State University.
Tom Darrah, a professor of earth sciences, co-founded Koloma three years ago in the basement of Ohio State’s Mendenhall Laboratory, Peter Mohler, executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge, told trustees last week. Darrah, who also serves as the startup’s chief technology officer, is still a professor at Ohio State and director of the university’s Global Water Institute.
“In alignment with our goals to retain our scientists and science here in Ohio, we’re excited to announce Koloma will represent one of the first tenants in the [Ohio State] Energy Advancement and Innovation Center,” Mohler said. “It’s a great privilege to have [a] front-row seat to see our research and innovation ecosystem evolve in real time.”
Koloma has developed technology to find plentiful hydrogen in deep underground rocks and extract it without creating more greenhouse gases, creating a cost-effective way to produce the clean-burning fuel. Earlier this month, Koloma raised $245.7 million and a $900,000 research grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
OSU Energy Advancement and Innovation Center
The 66,000-square-foot Energy Advancement building at Ohio State is designed for industry-academic collaboration. The center opened in December as a hub for research on renewable energy, smart energy systems and green mobility. Faculty and students are expected to rub shoulders with entrepreneurs leading spinoffs, like Koloma, and engineers from large corporations.
Koloma was incorporated in Dublin but is headquartered in Denver along Grant Street, according to previous reporting. It has maintained a Columbus laboratory.
The company is excited to expand its research and development operations with lab space in the energy center, Paul Harraka, Koloma’s chief business officer, said via email.
Lease details are not yet finalized.
