May 22,2025: New Delhi: Climate-tech startup Alt Carbon has raised $12 million in seed funding to expand its carbon dioxide removal operations across India and the Global South, with a focus on scaling Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) and boosting agricultural regeneration.
The funding will be used to accelerate scientific research, scale hardware development, and grow field operations aimed at long-term carbon capture and rural climate adaptation. The company is targeting the deployment of ERW, a process that uses basalt rock dust to permanently remove atmospheric CO₂, on farmland across key regions in India.
Alt Carbon to Tackle Climate and Soil Crisis in Global South
“Enhanced Rock Weathering is scientifically promising but vastly underbuilt. We’re building advanced labs and infrastructure to change that, especially in the Global South,” said Shrey Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of Alt Carbon.
Alt Carbon’s flagship initiative, the Darjeeling Revival Project, combines large-scale CO₂ removal with restoration of degraded soils, aiming to support tea-based livelihoods while preserving local ecology.
Founded just 18 months ago, the startup has already developed proprietary models, set up a specialized lab, and launched pilot operations. The team is focused on enabling gigaton-scale carbon removal and building durable agricultural infrastructure aligned with climate goals.
The $12 million seed round was led by Lachy Groom, a noted early-stage investor who has backed companies including OpenAI, Figma, Ramp, and Notion. Existing investors also participated in the round.
“Alt Carbon’s science-led approach and regional focus set it apart. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to scale carbon removal while creating real impact in frontline communities,” said Groom.
