Massey start-up a finalist in environmental sustainability accelerator
23rd May 2024
Captivate Technology has been selected as one of 10 finalists for the 2024 PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator: APAC Sustainability Edition.
Above: Captivate Technology and other finalists in the 2024 PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator: APAC Sustainability Edition
PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator is a mentorship-based program pairing innovative startups with PepsiCo executives, designed to help startups in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region develop through business advisory and collaboration. The programme focus is to invest in start-ups that are working to advance the circular economy and sustainable agriculture, and mitigate the impacts of climate change - supporting a more sustainable future for all.
Finalists receive personal one-to-one mentorship to access insights and resources in all aspects of business development. Captivate Technology was selected as one of 10 finalists from 190 entries and they were the only finalist to be selected from New Zealand.
Captivate Technology is a spin-out company from Massey University, led by founder and inventor, Professor Shane Telfer. The company is entering the carbon capture market and commercialising its novel material, MUF-16, a sponge-like material that captures carbon dioxide from industrial and biogenic sources. The technology is based on years of research at Massey University and was spun-out in 2022 by Massey Ventures, the commercialisation arm of the university.
In 2023, Captivate Technology announced raising a $750,000 seed round, led by Matū Karihi, with co-investors Massey Ventures, New Zealand Growth Capital Partners, and the Booster Innovation Fund.
Since formation, the Captivate Technology team has made significant progress, beginning industrial trials, scaling manufacturing, and forming international connections including the PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator programme.
Above: Business Development Manager Nigel Campbell from Captivate Technology.
Business Development Manager Nigel Campbell from Captivate Technology says they are honoured to be selected amongst the cohort of exceptional companies in this programme.
“Being part of the programme, we hope to receive advice, guidance, mentorship and opportunities for deployment with PepsiCo. We look forward to the opportunity to fast-forward our carbon capture technology!”
Massey Ventures’ Commercialisation Manager Dr Dan Carlisle says the programme is a fantastic opportunity for Captivate Technology to showcase their technology.
“It’s amazing to see innovative start-ups like Captivate Technology representing Massey University and New Zealand on the world stage. The team at Captivate have some amazing technology behind them with the potential to make significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions. We’re looking forward to following their journey through the programme and beyond.”
