Pfronten-based climate tech startup autarkize has raised €2.3 million in seed funding to expand its technology for renewable gas and biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More production. Led by High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), this round also included contributions from Fair Capital Impact Fund, Interface Capital, Innovation for Impact, and Floris Capital, along with business angels Lucas von Fürstenberg and Ulrich Blessing.

autarkize’s technology transforms organic waste materials like wood, shells, and fermentation by-products into renewable gas—primarily methane and hydrogen—as well as biochar. The renewable gas serves as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels in industrial processes, while biochar acts as a carbon sink, reducing CO₂ in the atmosphere. Each autarkize plant can sequester up to 5,500 tons of CO₂ annually and generate up to 10 GWh of renewable energy.

The company’s modular systems, built in sea containers, can be easily integrated into existing biogas facilities, municipal heating networks, and other industrial settings. This design allows autarkize to quickly scale its technology and support decarbonization in sectors requiring high heat output.

HTGF’s Maximilian Scholz noted that autarkize’s approach taps into previously underutilized biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More resources, turning them into climate-neutral energy sources. Investors like Patrick Knodel and Michelle de Rijk emphasized the alignment of autarkize’s technology with sustainable goals, seeing it as a key tool for advancing circular, resilient energy solutions amidst climate challenges.

LEARN MORE: German climate tech autarkize raises €2.3 million to drive sustainable energy transition