About
Mike Bwondera is the Research and Development Lead at Octavia Carbon, Global South’s first DAC company based in Nairobi, Kenya. With a background in mechanical engineering, Mike oversees a multidisciplinary team specializing in materials science, chemical and process engineering, instrumentation and controls. Under his leadership, the team has achieved several milestones, including open-sourcing the designs of Octavia’s first prototype, which forms the basis of the Open-Air Collective’s ‘Project Epiphyte’ work.
Additionally, he has established valuable partnerships with renowned researchers in the DAC space, enriching the company's technical capabilities and expanding its global network. A significant achievement during his tenure is securing a machine design patent, which has further solidified Octavia Carbon’s innovative position, and protected its intellectual property. Mike aims to fast-track the advancement of materials science and the scaling of innovative materials, understanding their critical importance in enhancing the efficiency of DAC technology.
In his previous work, Mike focused on clean water and sanitation projects, where he designed automated small-scale water treatment systems. His experience tackling engineering challenges has honed his ability to translate theoretical concepts into practical, impactful solutions.
Joined
October 2024
