Terraton Wants to Be the McDonald’s of Biochar
When you hear McDonald’s, you think of consistency—franchises that look and operate the same no matter where you go. Now, Terraton wants to be the McDonald’s of biochar, applying that same playbook to carbon removal. The company is betting that a franchise-style system could scale biochar production faster than ever before.
Image Credits:Rene Notenbomer / Getty Images
Biochar is a powerful climate technology that transforms agricultural waste into a carbon-sequestering fertilizer. But despite its potential, adoption has been slow because building biochar facilities is complex and costly. Terraton believes its “business-in-a-box” model can change that.
A Franchise for Carbon Removal
Terraton recently raised an $11.5 million seed round to bring its biochar franchise vision to life. The round was led by Lowercarbon Capital and Gigascale Capital, with ANA Holdings’ Future Frontier Fund, East Japan Railway’s Co-Benefits Fund, and several prominent angel investors, including Google’s Jeff Dean and OpenAI board member Bret Taylor.
The funding will help Terraton roll out turnkey biochar projects, complete with equipment, software, and a playbook—similar to how McDonald’s provides franchisees with a proven system.
Why Biochar Needs a McDonald’s
“Most biochar facilities, people have only ever built one,” explained Terraton co-founder Greg D’Alesandre. “They’ve never learned and progressed.”
This fragmented approach has kept supply low, even as demand for carbon removal soars. Terraton aims to solve this by creating repeatable, cloneable biochar facilities that partners can deploy anywhere in the world. The company’s SaaS platform will manage plant operations, track carbon credits, and connect with corporate buyers looking to offset emissions.
The Science Behind Biochar
Terraton’s model isn’t just about scaling—it’s about making biochar accessible. The process itself is simple but powerful: waste plant material is heated in the absence of oxygen, producing a black, charcoal-like substance. When added to soil, it can lock away carbon for centuries while boosting soil health and crop yields.
“The science is settled. It’s reliable, it’s affordable, and it’s available today,” said Terraton CEO Kevin Gibbs. “The challenge is scaling supply. There’s just not enough of it to meet demand.”
The Big Picture
By positioning itself as the McDonald’s of biochar, Terraton hopes to turn climate tech into a scalable, repeatable business model. If successful, its franchise-style system could rapidly expand biochar adoption, remove gigatons of carbon from the atmosphere, and help companies meet climate commitments.
For Terraton, the recipe is clear: take proven science, add a business-in-a-box model, and scale carbon removal like fast food.
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