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§ Private Profile · Mountain View, CA, USA
Direct Air Capture technology developer removing atmospheric CO2 for the carbon dioxide removal market, utilizing industrial waste heat.
Mountain View, California-based 280 Earth develops and operates direct air capture technology that utilizes industrial waste heat to permanently remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Spun out from Alphabet's X, the company operates a continuous flow process system that currently captures 500 tons of carbon dioxide annually at its Oregon pilot facility, with plans to scale capacity beyond 20,000 tons per year. The enterprise operates with nine employees and has raised $50 million in venture funding from investors including Builders VC and Alphabet. 280 Earth generates revenue by selling carbon removal credits and recently secured $40 million in offtake agreements to remove 61,571 tons of carbon dioxide for Frontier consortium buyers such as Google and Meta. The company was founded in 2022 by Darren Bonnstetter, John Pimentel, and Jacques Gagne.
280 Earth has raised $50.0M across 1 funding round.
280 Earth has raised $50.0M in total across 1 funding round.
280 Earth has raised $50.0M in total across 1 funding round.
280 Earth's investors include Builders VC, Formation 8, Prefix Capital, Steve Chen, Gideon Yu, Alphabet.
280 Earth has raised $50.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $50.0M Series B in May 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2024 | $50M Series B | Builders VC | Formation 8, Prefix Capital, Steve Chen, Gideon YU, Alphabet | Announced |
280 Earth is a direct air capture (DAC) technology company that permanently removes carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere using a novel, low-cost system powered by industrial waste heat or clean electricity, while also producing clean water as a byproduct.[1][3][4] It serves industrial sectors like data centers needing carbon removal and cooling solutions, addressing climate change by targeting costs one-third lower than existing DAC methods with potential to scale to 12 gigatons of CO₂ removal annually.[1][2][4] The company operates a pilot plant in The Dalles, Oregon, capturing 500 tons of CO₂ per year, with plans for expansion including a 5,000-ton Phase II facility in 2025 and additional sites for 20,000 tons total.[1][3] In 2024, it secured $40 million in offtake agreements through Frontier (backed by Stripe, Alphabet, Meta, Shopify, and McKinsey) to remove 61,571 tons of CO₂ by 2030, alongside $50 million in Series B funding.[2][4]
280 Earth originated as a project in 2018 at X, Google's Moonshot Factory, where the team developed its proprietary DAC technology over five years, focusing on a continuous capture process using a stable sorbent and commercially available components.[1][4] It spun out as an independent company in 2022 (with CB Insights listing formal founding that year), graduating fully from X in 2024 to operate its first plant in The Dalles, Oregon.[1][2][4] Early traction included partnerships with equipment manufacturers and engineering firms during incubation, enabling rapid deployment of the 500-ton pilot; pivotal moments were the 2024 Frontier deals and Series B raise from investors like Google Ventures, Gideon Yu, Builders VC, and X.[2][4] This evolution shifted focus from R&D at X to commercial scaling next to industrial sites.[1][3]
280 Earth rides the DAC megatrend in climate tech, where demand for gigaton-scale carbon removal surges amid net-zero commitments, enabled by falling clean energy costs and industrial waste heat availability.[1][4] Timing aligns with 2024 policy tailwinds like U.S. tax credits (e.g., 45Q) and corporate offtake markets via Frontier, positioning it ahead of competitors like AirCapture by leveraging X's moonshot R&D for faster commercialization.[2][4] Market forces favor co-location with data centers—projected to consume 8% of global power by 2030—using their heat and providing cooling water, creating symbiotic ecosystems that lower DAC energy barriers.[1][4] It influences the landscape by validating waste-heat DAC, inspiring modular designs, and accelerating industry scale-up through early deals demonstrating viability.[2][3]
280 Earth is primed for explosive growth with its 2025 Phase II buildout, additional Dalles facilities targeting 20,000 tons/year, and global expansion next to industrial hubs, fueled by $50M funding and locked-in revenue.[1][2][3] Trends like AI-driven data center boom (needing heat disposal and cooling) and rising carbon markets will amplify its edge, potentially hitting multi-gigaton ambitions if costs sustain.[1][4] Influence may evolve from X spinout pioneer to DAC infrastructure leader, shaping ecosystems via partnerships—watch for more Frontier-scale deals and tech licensing. This moonshot directly tackles atmospheric CO₂ at scale, fulfilling its promise to improve the climate for generations.[1]