Carbelim bags International SEFFY Social Impact Award
Kochi / March 19, 2026
Kochi, March 19: Kerala-based startup Carbelim Private Limited has won the prestigious SEFFY Social Impact Award at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2026).
Carbelim, a startup registered with the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) and a notable company in the climate-tech sector, has been incubated at the IIT Madras Incubation Cell and the IIM Lucknow Enterprise Incubation Centre.
Carbelim has developed nature-based carbon capture solutions aimed at reducing industrial carbon emissions. Its technology uses a blend of eleven types of special microalgae that efficiently absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen. In addition, the system can filter heath hazardous air pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides.
The device, which can be installed both indoors and outdoors, is currently under patent application. Their flagship product, the “Carbelim Biomimetic Facade,” is a living wall system that ensures real-time monitoring using artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.
Carbelim was founded by Dr. Karthika Gopi, who holds a PhD in nature-based carbon sequestration from UAE University. A rank holder in Marine Biology from Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), she brings over a decade of experience in algal biotechnology.
Dr. Gopi has previously worked as a carbon scientist with leading organisations including Dendra Systems and has led multiple pilot projects across Europe and the Gulf region focused on combating climate change.
Carbelim is transforming this secondary product, microalgae biomass, into engineered biochar by combining flue gas purification and water treatment processes from industrial plants. This biochar is converted into internationally recognised carbon credits on the global carbon credit market.
With this, Carbelim is proposing a new green business model that can generate a long-term source of revenue for industries that previously saw pollution as a liability. In addition, Carbelim has now collaborated with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) to begin field trials of a bio-stimulant using their patented microalgae consortium. This research, which aims to stimulate the health and growth of plant roots (Root Enhancement), is building a historic bridge between organic farming and the carbon economy.
Earlier, the startup had received several accolades, including the ‘Product of the Year 2025’ award from the World Filtration Institute, recognition as a finalist in the MIT Solve Global Challenge, and a sustainability grant of ₹20 lakh from Startup India.
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