Canadian Startup Secures $40M from Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy for Carbon Removal

Montreal-based climate tech startup Deep Sky has received a $40 million grant from Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Catalyst to advance its efforts in carbon dioxide removal through Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology.

Deep Sky is developing a pioneering DAC testing site in Alberta, Canada, designed to evaluate how this technology performs in extreme cold climates. DAC technology captures CO₂ directly from the atmosphere, addressing the urgent need highlighted by UN scientists to remove billions of tonnes of CO₂ annually while also reducing ongoing emissions.

Challenges and Potential of DAC

While DAC holds immense promise for large-scale CO₂ removal, its adoption is hindered by high costs, energy demands, and technological limitations. Deep Sky’s Alberta site, known as the "Alpha" DAC test ground, aims to overcome these barriers by enabling up to eight companies to refine their technologies.

Participating companies include Airhive, Mission Zero, Skyrenu, Skytree, NEG8 Carbon, Greenlyte, and Phlair. These firms aim to develop scalable solutions for commercial plants capable of capturing CO₂ at greater volumes.

Backing by Breakthrough Energy Catalyst

Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, a division of Gates’ climate fund, supports early-stage clean technology companies. Its goal is to make green innovations more cost-effective and commercially viable, with the Deep Sky grant representing a significant step in advancing DAC as a climate solution.

As Deep Sky accelerates its development stages, the startup is positioned to play a key role in scaling DAC technology, essential for combating climate change and achieving global carbon removal goals.