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remove India Carbon Removal Accelerator

A CDR-only accelerator for startups in India: coaching, buyer access and a EUR 15,000 purchase agreement, no equity.

Overview

The remove India Carbon Removal Accelerator is an accelerator focused only on carbon dioxide removal (CDR), run by remove, the program arm of the non-profit Carbon Removal Foundation. It helps India-based CDR founders make sense of a nascent market through two stages: Foundations and Leap.

Foundations is a fast-paced program on India-relevant carbon markets and CDR policy, the buyer's perspective and MRV, with 1:1 coaching and expert sessions to sharpen the value proposition. It ends with a Pitch Day that serves as the application to Leap, a global second stage where a selected group of startups works on TEA and LCA, fundraising and valuations, and meets buyers and funders. Leap startups receive a EUR 15,000 purchase agreement (a recoverable grant for enablers). remove takes no equity.

remove started in Europe and has since expanded to India, Africa (with ACRA) and Latin America. Alumni quoted on its site include neustark, Airhive, Alt Carbon, Everest Carbon and Takachar.

Who it is for

  • Carbon dioxide removal is front and center of the company you are building.
  • Your solution is grounded in science, not hype.
  • You want to be an active part of the India CDR ecosystem.
  • You have founded, or plan to found, a company located in India.
  • Founders own (or will own) at least 70% of the shares.

Check your startup’s fit

Check your eligibility for remove India Carbon Removal Accelerator

Admissions and application

Apply through the online form on the program page when a cohort is open. Selection for the Foundations stage is competitive; the Foundations Pitch Day is part of the application to the Leap stage, and only a selected group advances. remove says it evaluates solutions on scientific soundness and on their contribution to the CDR field as a whole. 2026 applications are closed; an interest list is open for the 2027 cohort, with no dates published.

Benefits

  • Foundations stage: a fast-paced program on India-relevant carbon markets and CDR policy, the buyer's perspective, MRV, and value proposition, with 1:1 coaching and expert sessions.
  • A Pitch Day that doubles as the application to Leap, remove's global second stage.
  • Leap stage (selected startups): deep dives on TEA and LCA, fundraising and valuations, plus introductions to buyers and funders, and a EUR 15,000 purchase agreement (a recoverable grant for enabler companies).
  • Access to remove's global CDR community (Slack) of experts, buyers, funders and founders.

Timeline

Annual cohorts. 2026 applications are closed; an interest list is open for the 2027 cohort, with no dates published.

What came of it

Alumni quoted on remove's site include neustark, Airhive, Alt Carbon, Takachar, Everest Carbon, Cotierra (Terra Preta), Dowmann, AirZyme and MORFO. neustark's founder credits the program with helping it bring its first tons of removal to market.

How to go about it

  1. Read what it asks for

    Who can apply, how people get in and whether it is open right now.

  2. Have something to show

    Programs pick people whose work they can already point to. Put yours where it can be found.

  3. Apply the way the program asks

    The program has not published how to apply. Terms and dates change. Check the official page before you act.

What it pays

No equity is taken. Startups selected for the Leap stage get a EUR 15,000 purchase agreement (carbon removal purchase); enabler companies get a recoverable grant instead. remove is run by the Carbon Removal Foundation, a non-profit funded by philanthropic partners, so there is no fee.

Questions about this program

What is the remove India Carbon Removal Accelerator?

A CDR-only accelerator for startups in India, run by remove (the Carbon Removal Foundation). It has a Foundations stage and, for selected startups, the global Leap stage.

Does remove take equity?

No. remove is funded by philanthropic partners and takes no equity. Leap startups get a EUR 15,000 purchase agreement; enabler companies get a recoverable grant.

Who is eligible?

Companies (or founders planning one) located in India whose business is centered on carbon dioxide removal, with science-based solutions and founders owning at least 70% of the shares.

Are emission-reduction or avoidance startups eligible?

No. remove only supports carbon removal (and other greenhouse gas removal); CDR must be central to the company.

Is it open now?

2026 applications are closed; an interest list is open for the 2027 cohort, with no dates published.

How is the program structured?

Foundations covers markets, policy, buyers, MRV and value proposition through coaching and expert sessions, ending with a Pitch Day. The Pitch Day is part of the application to Leap, a global stage with TEA, LCA, fundraising and buyer introductions.

Which startups have gone through remove?

Alumni quoted on remove's site include neustark, Airhive, Alt Carbon, Everest Carbon, Cotierra, Dowmann, Takachar, AirZyme and MORFO.

Who runs remove?

The Carbon Removal Foundation, a non-profit certified by NGOsource as equivalent to a US public charity, with programs in Europe, India, Africa and Latin America.

About remove

remove

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