Shantanu Agarwal

Shantanu Agarwal is entrepreneur working on rejuvenating soils and improving sustainability and resilience of smallholder farmers by increasing their incomes. He is the founder of Mati Carbon, a company specializing in carbon removal and climate technology. With a background in engineering and business, Agarwal has focused on developing scalable, science-driven approaches for carbon sequestration, positioning Mati Carbon within the global effort to achieve net-zero emissions.

Mati Carbon won the 2024 $50 million grand prize in the XPRIZE Carbon Removal Competition for its enhanced rock weathering technology, which uses crushed volcanic rock spread on agricultural fields to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. The process permanently sequesters carbon and improves soil health, with benefits for smallholder farmers in the Global South, particularly in places like India and Africa.

Agarwal’s career combines technical expertise with strategic vision, supporting the launch and growth of ventures in the sustainability sector. Under his leadership, Mati Carbon has gained recognition for its methodologies in carbon capture and for collaborations with international partners, governments, and environmental organizations. His work has been featured in industry forums and climate conferences, where he shares insights on technology, policy, and environmental impact.

As a public speaker, Agarwal addresses audiences at industry events, discussing the challenges and opportunities in the carbon removal sector. He highlights issues faced by climate entrepreneurs, such as regulatory barriers and the need for increased investment in climate innovation, offering a perspective grounded in practical experience and industry knowledge.