A Washington state startup has secured $600,000 in pre-seed funding to advance its innovative carbon capture technology that transforms atmospheric CO₂ into valuable graphite. The company, Homeostasis, based in Tacoma, is developing a system that utilizes aqueous mineralization capture to remove carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into crystalline carbon.
This latest funding round follows a $700,000 grant awarded to Homeostasis by the Washington State Department of Commerce through the Climate Commitment Act in September. The investment came from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Kayak Ventures, and various angel investors.
The startup’s technology addresses two critical challenges: reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and producing graphite, a material designated as a critical mineral by both the U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Defense. Currently, graphite production is predominantly controlled by China and relies heavily on mining operations.
“We’re transforming what’s traditionally considered waste into a valuable resource for our energy infrastructure,” explained Julien Lombardi, the company’s chief scientist and co-founder. The material has widespread applications, including use in battery manufacturing, nuclear power facilities, steel production, and defense-related industries.
Homeostasis conducts its engineering, testing, and business operations from its Tacoma headquarters, while maintaining additional research facilities in New York focused on graphite characterization. The company has established a partnership with the Clean Energy Testbeds at the University of Washington to further develop its technology.
With a working prototype already developed, Homeostasis aims to begin pilot project deployments with customers either later this year or in early 2026. The company’s initial strategy involves selling their systems to industrial customers seeking carbon removal solutions, with long-term plans to operate their own facilities for both industrial carbon capture and direct air capture.
The leadership team brings together diverse expertise. CEO and co-founder Makoto Eyre’s background includes founding a previous carbon capture venture, working as a space architect at Blue Origin, and studying neuroengineering. Lombardi contributes his expertise as a chemistry Ph.D. and research scientist.
Despite a 40% decline in carbon and emissions technology investment in 2024, with the sector raising $12.2 billion according to PitchBook, Homeostasis remains optimistic about its market potential. Eyre emphasized the critical need for domestic graphite production, stating, “The current graphite market faces significant geopolitical risks, supply chain volatility, and high costs. Our technology provides the U.S. with a reliable and affordable domestic source.”
Homeostasis joins a growing cluster of Pacific Northwest companies working on carbon capture and removal technologies, including CarbonQuest, Banyu Carbon, Svante Technologies, and Ebb Carbon. This regional hub of innovation has emerged as a significant player in the development of climate technology solutions.
The company’s approach represents a shift in thinking about carbon dioxide management, viewing it not merely as an environmental liability but as a potential resource that can be transformed into valuable industrial materials. This dual-benefit strategy – addressing both environmental concerns and industrial needs – positions Homeostasis at the intersection of sustainability and practical market demands.
The technology’s potential to create a domestic source of graphite while simultaneously addressing carbon emissions could prove particularly significant given current global supply chain challenges and increasing focus on reducing dependency on foreign materials sources.