Climeworks: From ETH Zurich Lab to Global Carbon Removal Leader

Celebrating 15 years of the Top100 Swiss Startup Award, we spotlight pioneers who shaped their industries. Among them is Climeworks, ranked early on among the Top100 Swiss Startups, a Venture Leaders alumnus, and a Venture Kick funding recipient. Since its beginnings as an ETH Zurich spin-off in 2009, Climeworks has grown into the global leader in carbon removal, securing more than USD 1 billion in funding to scale its Direct Air Capture technology worldwide. Co-founders Christoph Gebald and Jan Wurzbacher explain how the company turned bold climate ambitions into large-scale solutions.

As Top100 celebrates its 15th anniversary, Climeworks shows how a Swiss engineering spin-off can translate ambitious climate goals into measurable impact. Christoph Gebald and Jan Wurzbacher share how the company evolved from university lab prototypes to large-scale plants such as Orca and Mammoth in Iceland, building technology that removes CO2 from the atmosphere and supports companies on their path to net zero. This journey is backed by over USD 1 billion+ in funding to scale globally.

"Although Climeworks has grown into a mature scale-up,
it continues to stay rooted in its purpose."
 

Every journey has a first step. Do you remember the moment you built your first CO2 capture machine, and what it meant to you? 
Absolutely. I will never forget plugging in our first prototype after countless hours of assembly. To our surprise, it did not work at first. The CO2 was leaking from the measurement point. A quick fix solved the issue, and suddenly it worked. That moment proved the physics were sound. More than dramatic unveilings, however, this has been a journey of incremental wins. We moved from capturing milligrams of CO2 in 2009 to a kiloton in 2025. That represents an increase by a factor of a trillion. It has been a steady upward learning curve, supported by breakthroughs such as our new sorbent technology, which lasts ten times longer and halves energy use.

Earliest pic of the Co-Founders Jan Wurzbacher and Christoph Gebald in their first lab

Innovation starts with trial and error. What was your first prototype or test installation like?
Our early prototypes were humble. In the lab, we tested filter materials, fans, sealing, and heat-release cycles. Many tests failed in different ways. We encountered leaks, inefficiencies, and slow regeneration. Each failure, however, led to breakthroughs such as more efficient sorbents, improved thermal management, and reliable airflow. These improvements allowed us to capture more carbon dioxide while using less energy. 

Our first commercial-scale installation in Hinwil, Switzerland, was small but transformative. It taught us lessons that only field deployment can provide, including system integration, reliability, permitting, partnerships, and operations. That learning mindset continues today with Mammoth, which was deliberately built in phases to maximize technical progress at scale. 

"Leaks, inefficiencies, slow regeneration: Many tests failed."

How is Climeworks evolving at 350 employees?
Climeworks has developed into a mature scale-up. With 350 employees, we have built deep expertise across engineering, operations, commercial, and policy functions. We are structured to scale, with dedicated teams focused on innovation, deployment, and customer-centric solutions. Our culture remains rooted in purpose and agility, supported by the systems and leadership required to deliver impact at gigaton scale. We have also strongly internationalized the team to support a robust pipeline of projects in regions such as Canada, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the US, where energy availability and storage capacity align with supportive policy frameworks.

Climeworks team

What strategies are driving its customer acquisition and funding success?
Climeworks has a unique differentiator that sets us apart. We combine decades of operational experience in direct air capture, where we are recognized as the global leader, with tailored carbon removal portfolio services (Climeworks Solutions). This means we use our unparalleled knowledge to offer portfolios of best-in-class engineered and nature-based carbon removal solutions. No other company in the industry offers this combination, and it plays a crucial role in building trust and credibility with customers and investors.
 

"Scaling while innovating is hard."

Another key driver of trust is our relentless focus on cost reduction. Direct air capture will only become a global reality if costs fall significantly, and this is our top priority. We are uniquely positioned to deliver on this roadmap through unparalleled testing and R&D capabilities, field-deployed facilities, and world-class engineering talent. These factors enable us to accelerate innovation and scale efficiently.

From ETH spin-off to climate unicorn. Which milestones marked Climeworks’ rise to global recognition?
Several moments stand out. Founding Climeworks in 2009 as ETH PhD students was the first. In 2017, we launched the first commercial DAC plant in Hinwil. In 2021, Orca in Iceland became the world’s first DAC and storage plant. In 2024, Mammoth demonstrated the path toward scaling. We also reached important credibility milestones, including certifications, major customer contracts, and a Triple A rating from BeZero Carbon. The launch of Climeworks Solutions in 2024 further expanded our impact and positioned us as a strategic partner for corporate net-zero journeys.

Building trust and solving tech challenges. Which was harder: engineering breakthroughs or convincing the world of carbon credits?
Both are difficult. Engineering demands precision, persistence, and continuous innovation. Scaling while innovating is particularly challenging. Convincing the world that carbon removal is real, durable, and necessary is a different kind of challenge. It is shaped by social, political, and regulatory dynamics and is therefore less predictable. As an engineer, I find technology more predictable. Building trust is the steeper climb. That said, demand for high-quality carbon removal is growing significantly as businesses look for credible portfolios.

Climeworks Direct Air Capture & Storage Mammoth Plant

Redefining climate action. How has Climeworks changed the way the world thinks about carbon removal?
Climeworks has helped move carbon removal from a fringe concept to a mainstream carbon management solution. It is now embedded in scientific climate pathways and recognized as essential for achieving net zero. We have shown that carbon removal is not theoretical. It is already a reality. While it remains one of the most complex engineering challenges of our time, it is solvable with the right policy frameworks, sustained investment, and strong corporate involvement. Our work demonstrates that scaling carbon removal is not only possible, but already underway.
 

"We secured USD 162M during one of
the most challenging economic environments
in recent history."

Looking to 2050. Can direct air capture truly make a measurable contribution to global climate goals?
Not only can it, it must. There are no credible pathways to limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius without several gigatons of carbon removal. No single engineered or nature-based solution can achieve this alone. Direct air capture will play a crucial role, but success depends on relentless cost reduction. This remains Climeworks’ top priority. We are investing heavily in innovation and testing capabilities, leveraging our field-deployed plants, world-class engineering teams, and advanced R&D infrastructure. These efforts allow us to accelerate breakthroughs that reduce costs and enable large-scale deployment. 

Pride in progress. Which Climeworks project or plant are you most proud of so far?
Each plant represents a milestone. Hinwil proved that DAC works outside the lab. Orca pioneered permanent storage. Mammoth serves as a test bed for technology at a scale not attempted before. Beyond technological achievements, we are proud that Climeworks secured USD 162 million in funding during one of the most challenging economic environments in recent history. This reflects the confidence investors place in our mission and our leadership in the carbon removal industry. We are also about to launch the Climeworks DAC Innovation Center, the world’s largest and most advanced R&D and testing hub dedicated to direct air capture. This marks a major milestone in the development of DAC technology.