The Birth of Helios: From research to real-world carbon capture

Global Climate Crisis: Responsibility and Impact

Our planet is approaching a critical breaking point; a stage where the impacts of climate change can no longer be ignored or pushed aside. With global CO2 emissions hitting an all time high of 37.8 gigatons CO2 in 2024 which is 50% higher than pre-industrial levels, the world is failing to meet the net-zero targets set by Paris Agreement to keep warming below 2 ºC. Crossing this threshold can trigger irreversible and permanent changes rapid melting of ice, rising sea levels, and the collapse of forest and ocean ecosystems. Ranking among the chief contributors to this crisis, heavy industries (steel, cement, energy etc.) require urgent and scalable carbon-capturing technologies to reduce emissions.

Among the innovative players tackling this challenge, Helios emerged as a key player pioneering the use of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) to capture and store carbon at the origin of the pollution. In December 2023, TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) announced the names of only 157 projects nationwide deemed eligible to receive support under the 1812 Investment-Based Entrepreneurship (BiGG) fund and Helios was one of them. Earning the prestigious Excellence Seal, Helios was nationally recognized for its technological and environmental potential and it emerged as a credible clean-tech startup. With 1812 seed funding, the research-driven project quickly evolved into a startup capable of synthesizing advanced materials, testing industry adoption and scalability, and collaborating with industry partners. The program offered valuable networking channels as well as mentorship which helped Helios to connect with other innovative startups and investors to achieve long-term sustainable strategy planning. Benefitting from the visibility 1812 offered, Helios' journey has only just begun, with the pursuit of a cleaner and more sustainable future still unfolding.