Editor note: In our 2022 Startups to Watch feature, the Silicon Valley Business Journal and San Francisco Business Times present startups and founders doing unique things in the San Francisco Bay Area. Living Carbon is one of 20 that we have profiled — to read more about our mission and the other startups we're featuring, click here.
When it comes to mitigating human-driven carbon emissions, electric vehicles, energy-efficient buildings and cell-cultured meats are all the rage these days. But Living Carbon CEO and co-founder Maddie Hall saw another opportunity: photosynthesis-enhanced trees.
“Let’s apply plant biotechnology to help solve climate change," she thought.
The company is trying to improve the natural — and complicated and inefficient — photosynthesis process in trees so they can absorb carbon dioxide more quickly from the atmosphere. It's beginning with large forest projects and then plans to expand beyond trees.
"We aim to be a biotech climate hub," Hall said.
It's not a trivial effort. The world is currently on track to warm by 2.7 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, well beyond the 1.5 to 2 degrees that many world leaders and experts have called for to slow down the impacts of climate change.
The Department of Energy gave the company a $500,000 grant. The company is staying tight-lipped about its future plans, but it plans on launching publicly this year.
Living Carbon
- Founded: 2019
- Founders: CEO Maddie Hall and CTO Patrick Mellor
- What it does: Bioengineers trees to absorb more carbon dioxide quicker
- HQ: San Francisco
- Employees: 12
- Total funding: undisclosed
What are the tree species that Living Carbon is currently working with? Poplar and Loblolly Pine
And are you able to share any details about what’s next beyond trees? Where has your research taken you? Our current and future R&D focuses on photosynthesis enhancement, growth rate increase, heavy metal accumulation, fungal disease resistance, drought tolerance, salt tolerance, phytoremediation and permanent carbon storage.
How different is the company you have today compared with the company you first envisioned? Our business model has changed as carbon markets are growing rapidly. We have also expanded beyond trees and our initial research areas.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in building your startup? Building a company during the Covid-19 pandemic was an unexpected challenge. We learned the power of routine and how adaptive companies must be to changing circumstances.
Why did you base your company where you did? My co-founder Patrick (Mellor) and I are both Bay Area-based, and the Bay Area is also home to many great universities with plant biotech programs. Researcher talent is very important to us.
