Ki 13 Raises $5M for Biomass Electrolysis Fuel Tech

UK-based cleantech innovator, Ki 13, has successfully closed a $5 million seed funding round aimed at commercializing its groundbreaking biomass electrolysis technology. The investment, spearheaded by HICO Investment Group, with significant backing from Burgest, Triple Impact Ventures, GiTV, and Desai Ventures, alongside crucial non-dilutive support from Innovate UK, will fund the construction of an industrial pilot plant. This facility is designed to demonstrate the scaled production of green hydrogen and biogenic carbon dioxide derived from organic waste streams.

The core of Ki 13's innovation lies in its proprietary electrochemical process, which efficiently transforms lignocellulosic biomass into distinct streams of hydrogen and CO₂. These outputs are critical building blocks for a new generation of synthetic fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF), e-methanol, and e-methane. This approach directly addresses a major bottleneck in the synthetic fuels market: the high cost and energy intensity of producing essential feedstocks.

Traditional methods for generating green hydrogen often rely on water electrolysis, which can demand up to 50 kWh of electricity per kilogram of hydrogen. Similarly, capturing biogenic CO₂ typically involves energy-intensive direct air capture (DAC) technologies, requiring between 2,000 to 3,000 kWh per tonne of CO₂. In stark contrast, Ki 13 reports its biomass electrolysis process utilizes approximately 25 kWh per kilogram of hydrogen and a mere 300 kWh per tonne of CO₂, representing a substantial leap in efficiency and cost reduction.

“Economics drive meaningful change, and the world needs a radical cost difference in how synthetic fuels and chemicals are made to drive the transition at scale and at pace,” stated Koji Muto, co-founder and CEO of Ki 13. The company's strategy focuses on utilizing residual biomass from agricultural and forestry sectors, avoiding competition with food production and ensuring a sustainable feedstock supply chain. This focus on waste valorization is a key differentiator in the burgeoning circular economy.

The strategic importance of this funding round is amplified by the growing global demand for sustainable fuels, driven by decarbonization mandates across transportation and industrial sectors. The International Energy Agency projects significant growth in the green hydrogen market, underscoring the potential impact of technologies that can lower production costs. Ki 13's ability to simultaneously produce hydrogen and CO₂ from a single, low-cost feedstock positions it as a potentially disruptive force in this rapidly evolving market.

Christopher Hartnoll, CEO and Managing Director of HICO Investment Group, highlighted the firm's continued conviction in Ki 13's vision. “We have long held the view that the biggest barrier to scaling green hydrogen and synthetic fuels is not demand, but economics. By fundamentally rethinking how hydrogen and biogenic CO₂ are produced, Ki 13 has the potential to materially reduce feedstock costs and unlock a more commercial path to scale.” The successful seed round, with participation from established investors like Desai Ventures who also backed the company at the pre-seed stage, signals strong market confidence in Ki 13's technological advancements and commercialization roadmap.