Carbon to Value
Year 3

Innovation Scope

We’re seeking groundbreaking carbontech startups between TRL 4 and TRL 7 that are developing differentiated and scalable solutions that capture carbon and/or incorporate captured carbon as a major input for valorization. 

Technology areas include, but are not limited to:

• Carbon Capture, such as atmospheric (e.g. DAC) or point source from flue gas (esp. from hard-to-decarbonize sectors)

• Carbon Conversion to Added-Value Products, such as CO2 mineralization into building materials, CO2 conversion to fuels (e.g. SAF), and chemicals (and related feedstocks like syngas)

• Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), such as ocean alkalinity enhancement, enhanced rock weathering, etc.

• Enabling Technologies, such as Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems for carbontech (software and/or hardware), financing and insurance, carbon markets

These categories are not exhaustive, and overlap is possible. Startups with a novel carbontech innovation are encouraged to apply even if their technology is not listed above.

Interested in applying?

Applications for Year 3 have closed. Find out more information through our Applicant FAQs and our Call for Applications.

Interested in learning more? Watch our info session for startups.

Year 3 Timeline

About the Program

The Carbon to Value (C2V) Initiative—a unique partnership among Urban Future Lab at New York University-Tandon, Greentown Labs, and Fraunhofer USA, and supported by NYSERDA— is unlocking a new carbontech economy, bringing innovative solutions to scale as rapidly as possible through the creation of a robust, powerful, and collaborative new ecosystem.

Building on its first two successful years with 230+ applications and 18 selected startups (Cohort 1; Cohort 2), Year 3 of the C2V Initiative returns with its world-class partnership accelerator program, bringing exclusive access to industry leaders and nonprofit experts who are shaping the carbontech marketplace of tomorrow.

Startups selected to participate in the program will have the opportunity to engage with the Carbontech Leadership Council, an invitation-only group of executive leaders across diverse industry sectors driving the future of carbontech. Startups will gain market insights and explore collaboration opportunities with CLC members to unlock this trillion-dollar market. Specifically, startups will have the opportunity to hear firsthand from CLC members about their carbontech strategies, to present to them directly, and to access experts and industry knowledge from within the participating corporations. Cohort startups will also gain access to the C2V Initiative’s extended network of startup alumni, investors, government funders and ecosystem supporters, allowing them to overcome their specific barriers and significantly raise their visibility profile in the carbon management industry. 

Since its launch in 2020, the C2V Initiative has facilitated over 150 connections between its 18 startup alumni, CLC members and C2V’s rich carbontech network and other carbontech ecosystem players. C2V startups have collectively raised over $340 million in funding during and following their participation in the program. 

We are committed to increasing diversity and maintaining an inclusive community culture. We welcome all applications from founders and teams of all backgrounds, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or whether or not they have a disability.