Spiritus is a US-based climate technology startup that specializing in direct air capture (DAC) technology.
Direct air capture technologies have long been considered a potential game changer in the battle against climate change. However, high operational costs have historically limited their deployment. Spiritus aims to disrupt this paradigm by combining its proprietary “Spiritus Sorbent” with a modular approach known as the “Spiritus Carbon Orchard.” This dual strategy not only enhances the efficiency of CO₂ capture but also enables a scalable, cost-effective solution that could bring costs down from approximately $1,000 per ton to an ambitious target of $100 per ton. Such a breakthrough would dramatically increase the viability of carbon removal on an industrial scale, addressing one of the most pressing challenges in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
To drive this noble objectives, the company has successfully raised $30 million in Series A funding. This fund amongst other things is so significant milestone that could reshape the landscape of industrial decarbonization. The funding round was led by Aramco Ventures, with notable participation from Khosla Ventures, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, and TDK Ventures. This new capital raise is set to speed up the development and scaling of Spiritus’ innovative DAC technology, which promises to lower the cost of capturing atmospheric CO₂ and making carbon removal economically feasible at large scale.
With the fresh infusion of $30 million, Spiritus plans to rev the deployment of three major carbon removal projects:
1. New Mexico Pilot Facility
This project is designed as a 1,000-ton DAC site, the facility will serve as an industrial-scale pilot project to demonstrate the feasibility of Spiritus’ technology. The rapid deployment—expected within months—will provide critical operational data and validate the scalability of the system.
2. Orchard One in Wyoming
Orchard One is set to be a full-scale “Carbon Orchard” capable of separate 2 megatons of CO₂ annually. This facility combines permanent geological separations with a modular design that can be repeated across multiple sites, significantly boosting overall carbon removal capacity.
3. International Expansion with Aramco Partnership
In a move that emphasizes the global ambition of Spiritus, the funding round includes plans to leverage a strategic partnership with Aramco Ventures. This collaboration is intended not only to scale Spiritus’ DAC technology within the United States but also to facilitate deployments in international markets, including strategic projects in Saudi Arabia. Such international expansion is critical for establishing global standards in industrial decarbonization and supporting the worldwide transition to low-carbon economies.
The leadership at Spiritus is optimistic about the potential impact of this funding round. Charles Cadieu, CEO and co-founder, remarked, “We’re seeing soaring demand for data centers and heavy industries, yet we can’t ignore the carbon that comes with it. Our DAC technology brings large-scale decarbonization within reach. This funding advances our vision of supporting America’s explosive growth while keeping emissions in check.” His comments highlight the pressing need for sustainable industrial practices amid rapid economic expansion, particularly in energy-intensive sectors such as AI-driven data centers and large-scale infrastructure construction.
Bruce Niven, Executive Managing Director of Strategic Venturing at Aramco Ventures, echoed this sentiment by emphasizing the breakthrough nature of Spiritus’ approach. “Direct Air Capture has the potential to play an important role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors of the economy, but until now, it has been too expensive to be meaningful. Breakthrough approaches like Spiritus are needed. We are excited to partner with Spiritus and bring this important technology to market.”
The successful completion of this Series A funding round represents more than just a financial milestone for Spiritus—it signals a broader shift in how investors and industry leaders are approaching climate change. By providing the necessary capital to scale innovative DAC technologies, this investment could play a critical role in enabling sustainable growth across energy and industrial sectors. As governments and corporations worldwide grapple with the challenge of reducing carbon emissions without hindering economic development, Spiritus’ technology offers a tangible path forward.
As I close, the strategic backing from heavyweight investors like Aramco Ventures not only validates Spiritus’ technology but also underscores the increasing importance of public–private partnerships in driving climate action. With global carbon removal emerging as a critical component of many nations’ decarbonization strategies, Spiritus is well-positioned to lead the charge toward more sustainable, scalable solutions in the fight against climate change.
