COE/E Program Helps Student Transform Energy Innovation into Scalable Business Venture
Tackling one of the world’s most pressing energy challenges takes more than just technical expertise; it takes vision and determination. That’s exactly what led Mansoura University (MU) engineering student Mohab Mohamed to create Carbonless, an innovative solution to reduce harmful emissions. Driven by the goal of eliminating internal combustion engine drawbacks, Mohamed developed the idea for a system that captures carbon dioxide directly from engines, liquefies it, and repurposes it for industrial applications, supported by his mentor MU Professor Dr. Mohamed Tawfik.
Originally his undergraduate capstone project, Carbonless evolved into a viable venture that marked a major milestone on November 16, 2024, by participating remotely in the Arizona State University (ASU) Venture Devils Fall 2024 Demo Day competition. Despite limited preparation time, Mohamed delivered a compelling pitch against 52 top ASU-affiliated ventures, all vying for funding and support. His presentation highlighted the solution’s potential to transform maritime emissions, and his efforts were rewarded with $1,000 in seed funding. Mohamed plans to invest this funding in developing Carbonless’ minimum viable product. This success, made possible through the support of the USAID-funded Center of Excellence for Energy (COE/E), brought his vision to an international stage. It broadened his perspective and opened up new opportunities for collaboration, funding, and impact in addressing global emissions challenges.
Initially focused on semi-trucks, Mohamed shifted his focus to the maritime industry upon realizing its role in contributing 3% of global CO₂ emissions. Egypt’s strategic location along the Suez Canal further inspired him to position Carbonless as a logistical advantage for addressing long-haul emissions. However, Mohamed encountered technical challenges, regulatory barriers, and limited resources—all of which tested his resolve.
The journey toward achieving his vision began in October 2023 when he and his teammates joined COE/E’s Entrepreneurship and Venture Development Program, led by Dr. Brent Sebold, Director of Entrepreneurship + Innovation in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU. Carbonless was selected as one of six student and faculty teams to receive mentorship and intensive virtual incubation, outshining 30 other submitted proposals. Months of virtual training helped the team refine their project and gave them the confidence to elevate it further. In February 2024, Mohamed and his co-founder pitched their fully developed business proposal during the Center’s Venture Demo Day, earning first place and $2,000 in seed funding, which helped improve their prototype design.
The program was a turning point, equipping Mohamed with essential entrepreneurial skills that complemented his technical expertise. Under the guidance of Dr. Sebold, he learned how to transform an idea into a scalable business. “Dr. Sebold changed the way I see things,” Mohamed shared. “He wasn’t just a mentor; he was the best person to guide Carbonless. He helped us take it out of the lab and into the marketplace.”
Mohamed credits COE/E and Dr. Sebold’s mentorship with giving him the confidence to pursue more opportunities to help fund and scale Carbonless, including two nationwide competitions for Egyptian student startups.
Over the past few months, the team has expanded to 14 members, all committed to decarbonizing the maritime industry in Egypt and globally. As Carbonless grows, its vision remains clear: turning carbon emissions from a problem into a resource. “Every bag of chips you open, every can, there’s carbon dioxide in it,” Mohamed said. “Our goal is to redirect carbon into a closed loop, turning it into an opportunity. Why not make money and save the world at the same time?”
Find out more about the COE/E Entrepreneurship and Venture Development Program.