"A testament to the years of hard work our team has invested"

Direct Carbon AB, the Sweden-based developer of modular carbon capture systems for indoor agriculture, has won the Startup Pitch Competition at this year's AVF Summit, held from 3-4 September in Munich.

CEO Mattias Karls pitched the company's Wunderpumpe-2 (WP-2), which it describes as "a small-scale, cost-efficient carbon capture system built specifically for indoor growers." The solution impressed judges and attendees with its potential to help growers reduce reliance on fossil-based CO2 and transition to what the company calls "green CO2."

© Direct Carbon AB

Recognition and next steps
"This recognition is more than just a trophy; it's a testament to the years of hard work our team has invested in building a cost-efficient, modular, and scalable solution," said Ankur Garg, Commercial Head at Direct Carbon.

The company was one of ten finalists selected for the AVF Startup Challenge 2025, organized by the Association for Vertical Farming (AVF) in partnership with VertiFarm. Finalists pitched innovations ranging from aquaponic systems and fogponics to urban farming, LED lighting, and CO2 valorization.

© Direct Carbon AB
The Direct Carbon team

Expanding industry ties
According to the AVF, the competition spotlighted "practical, real-world solutions for food and farming," with finalists showcasing innovations with applications across areas like urban food production, nutrient recycling, faster plant growth, and aquaculture.

Direct Carbon has also joined the Association for Vertical Farming as a new member, marking what it described as "the beginning of deeper collaborations with growers, innovators, and change-makers worldwide."

For more information:© Direct Carbon AB
Direct Carbon AB
Ankur Garg, Commercial Head
+91 9772 111 419
[email protected]
www.direct-carbon.com