From researcher to entrepreneur: A conversation with Arthi Gopalakrishnan of PEACH DACquiri Inc.

Stepping into the role of a startup CEO is a leap few researchers envision, but it’s one that Dr. Arthi Gopalakrishnan, PhD, has embraced with curiosity and determination. 

As a postdoctoral researcher in the Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary, she found herself working to turn groundbreaking carbon capture technology into a scalable business. Now leading PEACH DACquiri Inc., Gopalakrishnan shares how she transitioned from the lab to entrepreneurship, the challenges she’s tackled and why she believes researchers are uniquely equipped to become successful founders.

How did you come to co-found PEACH DACquiri Inc.?

After finishing my PhD in India, I was eager to work on big environmental problems. This is what brought me to Canada to work with Dr. Steve Larter’s PEACH group. I joined as a postdoctoral researcher in October 2022 to help develop an ion-battery approach for carbon capture.

Along with Prathap Suba and key technical advisors, we worked on proving whether the battery could effectively enhance ocean alkalinity to capture and store CO₂ safely at lab scale. After some key breakthroughs, Dr. Larter saw its potential and suggested that we take the next step by developing the idea as a startup. PEACH DACquiri Inc. was born!

He then recommended that I take on the role of CEO.

How did you feel when you were presented with the possibility of being the CEO?

I was so surprised! Then stressed, intrigued and excited.

For at least the last five years, I’ve wanted to work on a large research project that develops and realizes major climate solutions. But I always imagined my role would be as a lab researcher, developing solutions which others would implement.

I never considered the possibility of being that person, the one bringing the solution to markets.

But here I am!

What does PEACH DACquiri Inc. do?

PEACH DACquiri is solving a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) problem at the gigaton scale with half the cost and maintenance requirements compared to current CDR technologies. Our flexible technology uses renewable electricity and saltwater as resources to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it either in the ocean or geological subsurface.

At its core, our technology uses an ion-battery approach to process various saline water sources for carbon capture and storage. The battery processes saline water — like ocean water or brines from oil and gas operations — and renewable electricity to produce acid and base solutions. The base is then used to increase the alkalinity, which accelerates its ability to capture and safely store CO₂ as bicarbonate.

What excites you most about the future of PEACH DACquiri?

I’m excited about the potential of our technology to contribute to global carbon removal efforts. Climate change is obviously a massive challenge, and I believe our approach can make a meaningful difference on the gigaton scale with much greater energy efficiency and lower capital and operating costs than existing solutions.

What qualities do you think make for a successful entrepreneur?

Communication is critical. You might have an amazing idea, but if you can’t explain its value in clear, engaging terms, people won’t see its potential.

Resilience is also key. You’re going to face challenges and setbacks, but those are opportunities to learn and adapt.

Finally, you need to be focused and organized. There’s a lot to juggle when running a startup, from the technical side to business strategy, but staying clear on your priorities can help you move forward effectively.

What qualities make for a successful CEO?

A successful CEO primarily needs to balance two things: a deep technical understanding of the company’s technology and strong business acumen to build connections and secure investment. You need to know your solution inside out, but you also have to be able to communicate its value to the business world.

That’s why I think researchers can make ideal founders and CEOs for deep-tech startups. As researchers, we know our solutions, our science and our technology better than anyone else. That level of understanding is a key quality of a successful CEO in this space.

What’s been the most challenging part of becoming an entrepreneur?

One of the biggest challenges has been shifting my mindset from an academic perspective to an entrepreneurial one. In research, you focus on the technical details, but as an entrepreneur, you need to understand the broader picture: How does this technology provide value? Who are the customers? What’s the best way to communicate its impact?

That said, I’ve embraced the challenge. Programs like Aeir have been invaluable in helping me refine these skills. I’ve learned how to pitch our technology effectively, conduct market research and think strategically about scaling our business.

How do you think you’ve grown personally since taking on this role?

This journey has been incredibly rewarding. A year ago, I was hesitant to approach people or start conversations. I’ve always considered myself a very shy person. Pursuing entrepreneurship has been transformative in making me more confident talking to people.

Programs like Aeir, e2i, the UCeed Cenovus EDI Accelerator program and Lab2Market have been key to this. We also just recently entered Creative Destruction Lab Vancouver’s climate stream. All these programs pushed me way out of my comfort zone. But they simultaneously supported me along the way. It’s a great way to grow!

Now, I’m more confident and comfortable sharing our vision with investors, collaborators and the public. I’ve also gained a solid understanding of business fundamentals — like market analysis, customer discovery and value propositions. I didn’t know much about these areas before, but I was eager to learn and now I can confidently make decisions and lead our team forward.

What advice would you give to other researchers considering entrepreneurship?

 Be brave and take the leap! You don’t have to have all the answers up front — entrepreneurship is a learning process, and you’ll grow as you go.

Also, don’t hesitate to seek guidance. Programs like Aeir can help you successfully navigate the challenges.

I hope my journey shows other researchers that they can make the leap from the lab to entrepreneurship. If I can do it, they can too!

Call to action

Stay connected with UCalgary’s innovation ecosystem Ahead of Tomorrow to follow the journeys of Arthi Gopalakrishnan and other Aeir-supported startups.

For academics with entrepreneurial aspirations, the Aeir mentorship program, powered by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, offers them support in growing their research impact by connecting them with stellar mentors, academics who have successfully ventured into the entrepreneurial landscape themselves. Participants receive tailored, ongoing one-on-one and objectives-based guidance and gain access to premier resources like exclusive networks and purpose-built tools, giving them a leg up as they turn their discoveries into impactful ventures.