Kerala-based deep-tech startup Carbelim has raised ₹10 crore from the IIT Madras Unicorn Frontier Fund. The company will use the funds to scale its microalgae-based carbon capture technology and expand its team. Industry observers will monitor how the startup proves the commercial viability of its industrial-scale air purification systems.
Carbelim, a deep-tech company based in Kerala, has raised ₹10 crore in a funding round led by the IIT Madras Unicorn Frontier Fund. This investment is aimed at helping the startup transition its proprietary microalgae-based carbon capture and air purification technology from laboratory testing to industrial-scale application.
The company has developed a solution branded as Liquid Trees. These units are designed to capture carbon dioxide from the air while releasing oxygen. With 13 patents already registered across India and the United States, the startup focuses on creating modular hardware that can be installed in urban centers and industrial zones. The goal is to provide a physical method for lowering the carbon footprint in crowded or highly polluted areas.
Challenges in Deep-Tech Hardware Scaling
Unlike software startups, hardware-focused climate tech firms like Carbelim often face significant hurdles when scaling up. The primary challenge for the company will be proving that its bio-integrated systems are cost-effective when compared to traditional air purification methods used by factories and municipalities. Hardware manufacturing requires substantial money for research, testing, and initial setup. Investors and industry stakeholders will likely track how effectively the company manages these costs as it aims for its revenue target of ₹100 crore.
Strategic Support and Expansion
The funding comes from the IIT Madras Unicorn Frontier Fund, a collaboration involving the IIT Madras Research Park and Unicorn India Ventures. This fund was specifically set up to support deep-tech startups in India that often find it difficult to secure capital during their early, research-heavy stages. With this new capital, the founders, Karthika Gopi and Rahul Babu, plan to increase their workforce by 50 new hires. The company also intends to look at international markets, where the demand for industrial air purification is growing.
The success of this initiative could set a precedent for other Indian hardware startups in the climate-tech space. As the government continues to signal interest in supporting indigenous technology, the focus for Carbelim will be on execution. The next critical update for the company will involve the successful deployment of its units in large-scale industrial settings and the ability to convert these pilot projects into long-term commercial contracts.