Halifax-based pHathom Technologies has raised $4M in seed funding to advance its marine carbon capture technology designed for coastal bioenergy facilities.
The capital will be used to pilot the company’s system across Atlantic Canada as it works toward commercial-scale deployment by 2030.
Turning bioenergy emissions into durable carbon storage
Founded in 2024, pHathom focuses on removing CO₂ from ocean-based bioenergy plants that generate renewable power and heat from marine biomass such as seaweed and algae. While these facilities reduce reliance on fossil fuels, they still emit CO₂ during combustion.
The technology integrates directly with existing plants, capturing CO₂ before it reaches the atmosphere. The captured emissions are processed using a limestone and seawater slurry, converting the CO₂ into bicarbonate through a reaction that mirrors natural ocean chemistry. Bicarbonate already exists in seawater and allows carbon to be stored long-term without increasing ocean acidity.
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Backed by climate-focused investors and public funding
The seed round was led by Propeller Ventures, with additional backing from the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, Invest Nova Scotia, and Belgian strategic investor Carmeuse Ventures. Including expected public funding tied to its role in the Ocean Supercluster-supported Carbon Capture and Marine Storage Project, pHathom says it now has more than $12M in committed capital.
Pilots as a pathway to commercial scale
The company plans to use the new funding to deploy pilot projects with coastal bioenergy operators in Atlantic Canada. These pilots are intended to validate performance, measurement, and verification, and to refine the technology ahead of broader rollout.
According to founder and CEO Kimberly Gilbert, the goal is to demonstrate a carbon capture pathway that is durable, scientifically robust, and compatible with existing infrastructure and regulatory frameworks.
Building toward deployment by 2030
pHathom is already collaborating with sustainable biomass producers, research institutions, and verification specialists to support scaling. The startup has also been selected for advance purchase programs focused on carbon removal and has received recognition within Canada’s cleantech ecosystem.
With pilot projects now planned, pHathom aims to move from validation to full commercial deployment later this decade.
About pHathom Technologies
pHathom Technologies is a Halifax-based climate tech company developing marine carbon removal solutions for coastal bioenergy facilities. By capturing CO₂ emissions and converting them into stable bicarbonate stored in the ocean, pHathom aims to deliver durable, verifiable carbon removal that integrates seamlessly with existing renewable energy infrastructure.
