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§ Private Profile · 6015 Gleneagles Cir, San Jose, California, 95138, United States
Startup developing patent-pending technology to produce sustainable high-strength aggregates for lower-carbon concrete, reducing CO2 emissions.
Based in Silicon Valley, California, ClimateCrete is a sustainable construction technology company that develops a patent-pending process to modify abundant local sand into high-strength aggregates for commercial and industrial concrete production. This proprietary method allows building material producers to utilize previously unsuitable local desert sand, thereby reducing overall cement consumption, lowering carbon dioxide emissions, and eliminating the need for long-distance material transportation. To scale its operations, the venture-backed startup closed a $3.3 million Series A funding round in December 2023. This initial financing was led by investment firm Capital K with strategic participation from KAUST Innovation Ventures, coinciding with the formal appointment of Peter Hadrovic as chief executive officer. The enterprise was officially founded in 2023 as a commercial spinout from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology by co-founders Jorge Gascon and William McDonough.
ClimateCrete has raised $3.0M across 1 funding round.
ClimateCrete has raised $3.0M in total across 1 funding round.
ClimateCrete is a Series A startup founded in 2023 that develops technology to produce sustainable concrete by converting abundant local sand and desert aggregates into high-quality concrete-ready materials, reducing reliance on scarce river sand imports.[1][2][3] It serves the global construction industry, particularly in sand-scarce regions like Saudi Arabia, by solving supply chain vulnerabilities, cutting CO2 emissions through lower cement use and eliminated transport, and delivering stronger concrete at competitive prices.[1][3][4] The company has raised $3.3M in funding, with a KAUST pilot program demonstrating early traction toward regional scaling.[1][2]
ClimateCrete emerged from a collaboration at Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), where chemical engineer Dr. Jorge Gascon and renowned architect William McDonough (named one of TIME's 100 most innovative climate leaders) developed the core technology over years of research on resource depletion and emissions.[2][3][4] Gascon's expertise enabled surface modification of sand particles to create angular, durable aggregates, while McDonough championed sustainable design; the KAUST spinout formalized in 2023 as a US-based company in San Jose, California.[1][3][4] Early momentum included a $3.3M raise led by Capital K in December 2023, appointment of Silicon Valley veteran Peter Hadrovic as CEO, and a pilot in Saudi Arabia to prove scalability.[1][2][4]
ClimateCrete rides the sustainable materials wave in construction, a sector responsible for 8% of global CO2 emissions amid sand depletion (50 billion tonnes used yearly, stripping rivers and beaches).[3] Timing aligns with Saudi Vision 2030's deep-tech push—KAUST has supported 300+ startups—and global net-zero mandates, amplified by sand scarcity driving up costs.[1][2][3] It influences the ecosystem by enabling localized production in deserts (e.g., Middle East, Africa), fostering circular economies, and competing with rivals like CarbiCrete's CO2-cured alternatives, potentially reshaping supply chains for megaprojects.[1][2]
ClimateCrete is primed for explosive growth via Saudi pilots scaling to regional dominance, with global expansion as sand crises intensify and regulations favor low-carbon concrete.[1][2][3] Trends like AI-optimized materials and carbon pricing will accelerate adoption, evolving its role from KAUST spinout to industry standard-setter in green construction. This innovation not only secures supply chains but redefines concrete as a planetary ally, echoing its origins in transforming "unusable" sand into a sustainable powerhouse.[3][4]
ClimateCrete has raised $3.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $3.0M Series A in December 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1, 2023 | $3M Series A | Patrick Suel | Monta Vista Capital, Social Capital, Kaust Innovation Ventures | Announced |
ClimateCrete has raised $3.0M in total across 1 funding round.
ClimateCrete's investors include Patrick Suel, Monta Vista Capital, Social Capital, KAUST Innovation Ventures.