Climate technology startup Save the Farms has entered into a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mondragon University (Mondragon Universidad) and its Mondragon Team Academy (MTA) in Bilbao, Spain. This agreement establishes a formal framework for global industry-academic cooperation focused on the research, development, and commercialization of biochar-based solutions. By securing a foothold in the Basque Country, the South Korean startup aims to integrate its technical capabilities directly into the European industrial ecosystem. The partnership facilitates the establishment of a local Spanish subsidiary and provides a platform for the company to scale its operations within the European Union’s carbon-neutral market.

The primary challenge addressed by this initiative is the increasing regulatory pressure and market demand for efficient organic waste resource utilization and high-integrity carbon credit procurement in Europe. As the region implements some of the world’s strictest carbon-neutral regulations, industries such as agriculture and marine sectors face a growing need for sustainable Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) solutions. Furthermore, entering a foreign market often presents significant hurdles regarding regulatory compliance and capital efficiency for emerging climate tech ventures.

To solve these issues, Save the Farms is leveraging Mondragon University’s “Teampreneur” system—a practical entrepreneurship training model—to implant its 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 technology into local Spanish industries. The collaboration focuses on “carbon assetization,” which involves converting agricultural and marine by-products into high-value biochar and subsequent carbon credits. The entities will jointly apply for public R&D grants and innovation incentives provided by the Spanish government and the EU. This strategy secures non-dilutive capital, reducing the financial risk associated with international expansion while ensuring the technology is optimized for local agricultural and urban regeneration projects.

The outcomes of this partnership include the successful establishment of a demonstration base for carbon removal technology in a key European hub. By aligning with the extensive industrial network of the Mondragon Group, Save the Farms has secured a “letter of credit” for the European market, attracting interest from venture capital investors who prioritize capital-efficient growth. The collaboration is expected to dismantle existing barriers to entry, allowing for the rapid deployment of circular economy models that combine waste processing with the generation of verifiable carbon assets.