Reflections on building – Utshav Bhattarai, Carbon Eaters
In this blog post, Startup Foundation grantee Utshav Bhattarai shares experiences in building Carbon Eaters, a company that helps industries achieve their decarbonisation goals through the power of microalgae photobioreactors.
The Journey of Carbon Eaters: Harnessing Algae for Decarbonization
“All great achievements require time.”
– Maya Angelou
This quote has been a guiding principle for my co-founder, Clio, and me as we embark on the challenge of decarbonizing the world using one of nature’s most powerful tools—algae. Together, we are Carbon Eaters.
How It All Started
My name is Utshav, though you can call me Ubi. I am a recent graduate from Aalto University with a background in Mechanical Engineering. For the past few years, I’ve been working on developing a carbon-sequestering product called a microalgae photobioreactor. Though it sounds complex, at its core, it is a system where algae are housed in glass chambers and fed CO2, turning it into a “carbon-eating machine.”
The inspiration for Carbon Eaters came from two main sources: a UK-based company called The Brilliant Planet and a group of Nepalese entrepreneurs who had created and installed an algae bioreactor in a city in Nepal. Upon meeting them during a trip home, I became captivated by the potential of algae for carbon capture. When I returned to Aalto, I began working on this idea through the university's renowned Product Development Project (PDP) course. This was the start of what eventually became Carbon Eaters.
While The Brilliant Planet, the Nepalese entrepreneurs, and Carbon Eaters all operate on the same fundamental principle—photosynthesis—the use cases were different. As the buzz around industrial decarbonization grew, I began to explore the idea of developing our system specifically for industrial applications.
During the 9-month PDP course, our team of seven students—including experts in biotechnology, algae, mechanical engineering, and product development—worked tirelessly to create a working prototype of the microalgae photobioreactor. The technical progress was remarkable, but we realized we had barely scratched the surface of business development. Despite numerous attempts, it was challenging to connect with potential industrial customers, although we did manage to gather valuable feedback from a similar scale-up.
Meeting Clio: The Perfect Match
Though the course ended, my journey didn’t stop there. I continued attending entrepreneurship events and seeking insights into product-market fit. Around this time, I received a grant from the Startup Foundation, and soon after, I met Clio through a mutual contact. At the time, Clio was pursuing a PhD at the University of Helsinki, studying the impact of climate change on plankton in the Baltic Sea.
Our partnership was a perfect match. While I had developed the prototype, Clio brought deep knowledge of algae biology. Together, we shared a common belief: microalgae would play a crucial role in addressing the world’s carbon problem.
During this time, we’ve participated in several accelerator programs, including the Biosphere Incubator, and attended multiple industry summits such as the Nordeep Summit. These events have been instrumental in connecting us with key stakeholders from various industries, as well as with aspiring entrepreneurs. In addition, we launched our website, www.carboneaters.fi, which has significantly increased our visibility. As a result, we’ve generated numerous leads and engaged in discussions with people worldwide who are working on similar innovations. Notably, we’ve had productive conversations with individuals from South India and a university in Australia.
One of the most exciting moments in our journey came when a representative from a venture capital (VC) firm in Amsterdam expressed interest in our project. Although the discussions didn’t lead to immediate funding, it was a major milestone for us. The lengthy meeting allowed us to present our product concept in detail and gain valuable insights into the business side of things, which gave us a better understanding of what investors seek in early-stage ventures like ours.
We’ve also had the opportunity to meet with former founders of a company that had worked on a similar concept in the past. This company, a spin-off from the University of Helsinki, had focused on using industrial wastewater as a feedstock for algae, producing biomass as a byproduct. They shared with us the challenges they faced in developing their concept further, particularly the difficulty of securing enough funding to build a demonstrative product that could showcase the system's efficiency. They emphasized that, for projects like ours, the cost of building a working demonstration is substantial, and funders often expect a return on investment—something that can’t be promised immediately in this type of innovation.
Understanding the Market Needs
One of the most pivotal moments in our journey came when we interviewed a representative from a leading energy technology firm in Finland. Their clients, primarily in electricity and district heating, are among the largest emitters of CO2 and are actively seeking carbon capture solutions. Current methods, like flue gas treatment and CO2 storage in underground sites, are seen as temporary fixes—there is a growing need for more sustainable and scalable solutions.
This conversation significantly shaped our strategy. We now plan to attend several key events this fall and winter, including the CCUS Summit, to deepen our understanding of the industry’s needs and explore partnerships that could help propel us forward.
The Road Ahead
While our journey is still in its early stages, we are more committed than ever to making a real impact in the world of decarbonization. With the support of industry leaders, researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs, we are confident that Carbon Eaters will play a role in shaping the future of carbon capture technology. We look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead, and we invite you to join us on this exciting journey!
- Utshav Bhattarai