sequestra secures 1.1 million euros pre-seed

With an investment of 1.1 million euros, sequestra is driving forward its technology for binding CO₂ in steelworks slag & co. A key to reducing emissions in heavy industry.

Vienna, February 4, 2025 - The Viennese climate tech startup sequestra has successfully completed a pre-seed financing round of 1.1 million euros. The capital will be used to further develop the company's patented technology platform, which uses industrial residues to permanently bind CO₂.

CO₂ capture for sustainable industrial processes

sequestra has developed a technology platform that makes it possible to permanently store CO₂ in industrial by-products such as steel mill slag, waste incineration ash or concrete demolition waste. The carbonated materials can then be used for construction applications. The process combines a specialized analysis facility, a data-based model and industrial process technologies.

With our technology, we make CO₂ storage usable on an industrial scale and offer a scalable solution for emission-intensive industries

Lukas Höber, Co-Founder sequestra

The method not only offers an environmentally friendly alternative to the disposal of residual materials, but also contributes to the reduction of CO₂ emissions. Scientific publications put the technology's potential at 4 to 8.5 billion tons of CO₂ - that corresponds to up to 20% of global emissions.

From research to market maturity

sequestra was founded in 2024 by Lukas Höber, Roberto Lerche and Gero Schwarz. The three founders have many years of experience in research, industrial plant engineering and management consulting. They recognized the potential of CO₂ binding in industrial residues during their studies at the University of Leoben.

Since the start of the project in September 2023, sequestra has already achieved several successes: The startup has been accepted into renowned accelerator programs, including INiTS, EIT Climate KIC and the Greenstart program of the Climate and Energy Fund.

Investors back sequestra

The financing round was supported by a group of investors with a focus on climate protection, industry and deep tech. The investors include, among others:

• Carbon Drawdown Initiative, a fund for long-term CO₂ reduction technologies
• VSE Beteiligungs-GmbH, an industrial investor
• Climate Founders, a leading climate tech accelerator with a strategic network

With the new financing, sequestra plans to

• Further development of the platform for data-based CO₂ sequestration
• Construction of a rapid-testing facility for material analysis by the end of 2025
• Industrialization of the technology for large-scale applications
• Researching potential uses for carbonated materials in the construction sector

With these steps, sequestra is bringing its technology one step closer to large-scale industrial application - and making an important contribution to the decarbonization of heavy industry.