Baton Rouge Startup Encore CO2 Secures NSF Grant for Innovative CO2 Conversion Technology

Groundbreaking Funding for Climate Tech

Baton Rouge-based climate tech startup Encore CO2 has recently been awarded a $275,000 Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation. This funding will support the electrolytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Innovative Technology

Encore's electrolyzer technology is designed to transform CO2 and water into ethanol or vinegar. Ethanol has various applications, including use as fuels, disinfectants, and even in liquor production. On the other hand, vinegar can serve as a feedstock for microorganisms, potentially converting it into proteins or medicines, addressing the significant global emissions associated with food production and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

“Food and medicine are essential for life, but we can do better when it comes to how we produce them,” says Encore co-founder William McGehee.

Sustainable Product Development

Encore's technology is rooted in research conducted at LSU and focuses on recycling CO2 for creating other carbon-based products. This approach serves as an alternative to underground sequestration, utilizing CO2 captured directly from the atmosphere.

With the grant funds, Encore plans to launch new products, including the Electra brand of hard seltzers within the next year, exemplifying a sustainable product made from CO2. McGehee is optimistic about future developments, stating that proteins and medicines could follow soon.

About the Co-Founder

William McGehee, co-founder of Encore CO, established the company in 2022 and previously owned Doug Olinde Event Rentals since 2017. He was also the owner of Tin Roof Brewing Co. until its sale in October. Recognized as a “Forty Under 40” honoree by Business Report in 2018, McGehee continues to push the boundaries of sustainable innovation in Baton Rouge.