Meeting the moment: The Claros Trajectory

Portfolio Company Profile

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“...this convertible note is not just a vote of confidence from our investors, but a critical enabler of our ability to scale quickly and meet the urgency of the moment.”

 ~Michelle Bellanca 

CEO and Co-Founder of Claros Technologies

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At a time when policymakers in the U.S. and Europe are sharpening their focus on the dangers of PFAS and the need to destroy it effectively, Claros Technologies is operating ahead of the curve. Claros’ years of R&D and commercial pilot work have generated unprecedented results. Partnering with Daikin America, which has committed to capturing and destroying 99.9% of PFAS in the manufacturing process of its fluoropolymer, Claros recently completed a commercial-scale pilot of its ClarosTechUV™ suite. It demonstrated the capability to treat hundreds of gallons per minute, destroying PFAS at 99.99% efficiency, creating a landmark breakthrough that demonstrates the technology’s readiness for high-throughput industrial applications to eradicate long, short, ultra-short PFAS chains. This milestone validates what regulators, communities, and industries have been waiting for: a solution that can move beyond lab theory to reliable and scalable impact.

In complement to their PFAS destruction technology, Claros launched Claros Labs™, positioning the company as the global benchmark for PFAS detection and analysis. Housing one of the most advanced analytical teams and mobile testing capabilities in the world, Claros Labs™ ensures that destruction efforts begin with precision detection; screening more than 9,000 PFAS compounds and delivering forensic-level insight into liability, compliance, and remediation strategies. Claros can run tests for Labs clients under attorney-client privilege, creating a legally safe space for clients to understand their PFAS challenges and identify a path to comprehensively addressing them. 

INVESTORS ARE RESPONDING

Claros announced the close of a $10 million convertible note financing, capital earmarked to accelerate the global deployment of its destruction technology. In addition to Groundswell Ventures, investors included American Century Private Investments and other health and climate investors. The raise underscores overwhelming market confidence that Claros has built the right platform at the right time. As CEO Michelle Bellanca notes, this is about funding growth and matching the urgency of the political and environmental moment. Governments worldwide, including the United States, are rolling out stronger mandates for PFAS remediation. Claros’ momentum suggests the alignment of science, policy, and capital; a convergence that could turn the tide on the famed “forever chemicals.” 

ClarosTechUV™

WHY WE ARE EXCITED

Groundswell invested in Claros’ seed round in 2020, excited about the company’s technology platform and its many applications. Our appreciation and respect for the team have only grown as the company has, and we are very pleased with the company’s progress in commercializing their PFAS destruction technology. Claros Technologies has other exciting projects in their platform, and they are only going to get busier and more impactful as time goes on.