Mati Carbon wins top prize in Musk-backed XPRIZE carbon removal competition

Mati Carbon uses enhanced rock weathering to win $50M carbon removal prize. (Photo: Mati Carbon)

The winner of the $100 million XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition has been announced. Houston-based startup Mati Carbon has taken the top prize with $50 million for its use of Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) technology. The solution not only delivers long-term carbon sequestration, but also improves soil health and crop yields for smallholder farmers.

Comprehensive carbon removal monitoring key to Mati Carbon’s win

The competition, funded by the Musk Foundation, tasked participants with three key objectives: demonstrate the ability to remove at least 1,000 tons of CO₂ per year, estimate the costs required to scale that solution to 1 million tons per year, and propose a viable pathway to eventually remove 1 billion tons.