Mote, Inc., a company specialising in carbon-negative energy production, has raised $7 million in the first phase of its Series A funding round, led by Nella Next and Preston-Werner Ventures. Additional investors, including Counteract and other strategic partners, have contributed to the round, which is targeting a total of $15 million.
The company’s technology focuses on converting agricultural and forestry waste into hydrogen and other energy outputs, while permanently capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂). This Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) process offers a scalable approach to reducing emissions and improving energy security by utilising wood waste.
Mote’s process converts biomass waste into hydrogen while sequestering CO₂, with patented innovations aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing emissions.
CEO Joshuah Stolaroff said, “Mote addresses both sustainability and energy security, bringing critically needed innovation to the US energy landscape. This initial Series A investment reflects continued demand for carbon-negative energy solutions, reinforcing that clean energy can be economically viable and contribute to US energy leadership.”
The US Department of Energy estimates that up to 1.5 billion dry tons of biomass are available annually for energy production, presenting a significant opportunity for low-carbon hydrogen. The global low-carbon hydrogen market is projected to grow from approximately $26.39 billion in 2024 to $113.13 billion by 2034 (Precedence Research), driven by increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions.
The funds from the Series A round will support Mote’s first commercial-scale facility, strengthen its engineering capabilities, and advance partnerships across the hydrogen, forestry, and energy sectors. Seaport Global is advising on placement.
Travis Lane, CEO of Nella Next said, “Clean domestic energy infrastructure will continue to be critical, and Mote’s ability to bring hydrogen and other energy outputs to meet energy demands while providing climate value is exactly the kind of approach that can scale and produce attractive returns.”
Tom Preston-Werner of Preston-Werner Ventures added, “Mote’s technology turns waste into value—delivering clean energy while addressing critical environmental challenges. We see this as an investment in both economic resilience and climate action, as well as supporting the great need today for smart forestry management and waste disposal.”
Mote’s BiCRS process is based on research from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and has received backing from agencies including the US Department of Energy, CalFire, and the US Forest Service.
With demand for hydrogen growing in transportation, industrial manufacturing, and energy storage, the technology presents a potential pathway for decarbonisation. By working with agricultural and forestry industries, Mote aims to contribute to a circular economy, strengthening energy resilience, improving land management, and supporting wildfire prevention.
