Why Investors Are Doubling Down on Carbon and Water Tech

Capture6 lands fresh funding to scale tech that removes CO₂ while producing fresh water from salty waste

27 Mar 2025

A California-based climate technology start-up has raised new funding to expand a system that removes carbon dioxide from the air while converting industrial brine into fresh water, as companies seek ways to address climate and water risks at the same time.

Capture6 said the financing would be used to scale its technology, which is designed to work alongside existing infrastructure such as desalination plants and industrial facilities. The process treats salty waste streams, producing potable water and enabling the capture of CO₂ without requiring major changes to current operations.

The funding round was led by Tetrad, with participation from Hyundai Motor Group’s ZER01NE Ventures and Energy Capital Ventures, reflecting growing investor interest in technologies that can be deployed quickly and at industrial scale.

“This is about more than just removing carbon. It’s about building resilient communities with better access to water,” said Ethan Cohen-Cole, chief executive of Capture6.

The company’s first large-scale deployment is under way with a California water district. The project is expected to benefit from state and federal incentives for water reuse as well as US tax credits aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

Water scarcity and carbon management are increasingly linked concerns, particularly in arid regions where desalination and industrial activity produce large volumes of concentrated brine. Managing that waste is costly and energy-intensive, while freshwater supplies are under pressure from population growth and climate change.

Capture6’s approach seeks to address both problems by turning brine into an input rather than a disposal challenge. The company argues that this can lower costs for industrial partners while helping them meet environmental targets.

Challenges remain, including navigating local regulations, differences in water chemistry and the development of markets for recycled water. Analysts also note that scaling such systems will depend on long-term policy support and predictable pricing for carbon removal.

Even so, interest in integrated climate solutions is rising, as governments and investors look for technologies that combine environmental benefits with clear economic use cases.