ecoLocked receives 4 million euros

The Berlin-based climate tech start-up ecoLocked has raised 4 million euros to reduce the construction industry's carbon footprint. Using carbon-negative building materials, ecoLocked aims to make buildings the largest carbon sink

Berlin, June 3, 2024 - Berlin-based climate tech startup ecoLocked has successfully closed a seed financing round and raised 4 million euros. The financing round was led by Matterwave Ventures and Climentum Capital. Existing investors such as Counteract, SFO, Sabanci Building Solutions and Voyagers also participated.

Carbon-negative building materials

ecoLocked develops carbon-negative building materials to reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects. The startup uses carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies, focusing primarily on Biochar Carbon Removal (BCR). This method accounts for 94% of the CO2 certificates issued in 2023. By converting sequestered carbon into building materials, ecoLocked aims to turn buildings and infrastructure into the largest man-made carbon sink.

We looked at many technologies and chose ecoLocked because their solution works today and integrates well with future decarbonization technologies.

Dörte Hirschberg, Climentum Capital

eLM Zero product line

ecoLocked's first product, eLM Zero, is an additive for carbon-neutral concrete. Several concrete manufacturers in the DACH region and the Netherlands have already included eLM Zero in their portfolio. The company is also working with leading players in the cement industry, municipalities and real estate developers to reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects.

To limit global warming to well below 2 degrees, we need to remove carbon from the air and store it safely. Biochar is one of the most cost-effective and scalable solutions

Ines Kolmsee from Matterwave Ventures

Plans for the future

With the new funding, ecoLocked plans to expand its production facilities, introduce new product lines and increase demand for its products. The research and development team is also to be expanded. In particular, ecoLocked's AI-driven platform will be further developed to efficiently utilize the variability of raw materials and produce high-quality products.

The future of carbon capture lies in the development of products that store carbon in the long term and transform it into valuable resources

Dr. Mario Schmitt, CEO of ecoLocked

ecoLocked was founded in 2021 by Mario Schmitt, Micheil Gordon and Stefanie Gerhart. The team consists of 18 employees from 13 nations with expertise in sustainability, materials science, construction and economics. The start-up is based in Berlin, with the production facility and laboratory located in Bernau.