Viji Thomas
CEO, Sinkco Labs
Viji Thomas joins the Breakthrough Energy Fellows program from Sinkco Labs in Lisbon, Portugal. Viji is the Chief Executive Officer of Sinkco Labs and leads a multidisciplinary team working on a novel marine carbon dioxide removal (CDR). His career began in the food and beverage industry as a consultant, where he was tasked with addressing sustainability challenges. This work inspired him to pursue self-directed studies in Biotechnology, Marine Biology, Bio-process Engineering, and Earth systems – giving him the diverse expertise needed to guide a team working at the intersection of these fields.
The ocean – earth’s largest carbon sink – offers untapped potential for carbon dioxide removal. Sinkco Labs has developed an efficient and safe delivery system for micro-injecting organic carbon into marine sediments. These sediments undergo compaction, a natural phenomenon that prevents microbial movement within the matrix, thus preserving the organic carbon and ensuring its permanent, environmentally safe storage. The Fellows program will provide catalytic support for Sinkco Labs’ technology innovation and their pilot storage and verification work in the Gulf of Mexico.
In his free time, Viji enjoys piloting, reading, kayaking, and the thrill of “aha!” moments when everything clicks. Viji’s hands-on experience as an executive leader has allowed him to develop a strong network of mentors and advisors across various sectors. During his fellowship with the BMW Foundation, he engaged with global experts at multiple UN Climate Conferences to address pressing global challenges.
Q&A
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
“Impatience with your actions and patience with the result” from Naval Ravikant.
Share a fun fact about yourself
I built a bioreactor in my tiny apartment in Paris during the Covid-19 lockdown and ended up creating anhydrous bioethanol from fruit waste from local supermarkets.
Who has had the greatest impact on your career path?
Jim Collins, the business writer. We had a letter correspondence through the ideation phase of the company, which helped me with my vision of technology.
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