By: Lennard James

JAMAICA — CarbonX Solutions, a carbon capture startup originating from the University of Houston, has been awarded first place at the ICE (International Competiton for Entrepreneurs) Competition held in Jamaica this year. The event, organized by ICE founder Bryan Winston, showcased a range of ideas across the technology and sustainability sectors, with CarbonX’s innovative decarbonization solution emerging as one of the standout developments.

Founded by DJ Buenaventura and Samantha Maldonado, CarbonX Solutions is working to redefine what carbon capture can achieve in heavy industry, starting with one of the world’s largest CO₂ emitters: the cement sector. Supported by academic researchers and partners, the team has developed a scalable technology that captures carbon dioxide directly from industrial exhaust and converts it into a usable material for cement production.

“The ICE Competition serves as a platform for highlighting ideas that could shape our future,” said Bryan Winston, ICE founder and visionary entrepreneur. “CarbonX Solutions embodies exactly the type of innovation we seek to support—technological advancements that could have a tangible impact. Their solution has the potential to shift the way we think about emissions on a global scale.”

Cement manufacturing is responsible for approximately 7% of global CO₂ emissions, making it a critical target for decarbonization efforts. However, many carbon capture methods currently available are expensive, energy-intensive, and slow to implement. CarbonX offers an alternative by providing a plug-and-play solution that requires no additional energy input, no plant downtime, and minimal delays in retrofitting.

What makes CarbonX distinctive is its circular model: the captured carbon is repurposed into a valuable byproduct that helps offset raw material costs in cement production. This approach offers both environmental and economic benefits, making the technology both scalable and financially viable.

“Our goal was never simply to reduce emissions; it was to create a carbon capture system that heavy industry could realistically adopt and benefit from,” said co-founder DJ Buenaventura. “Winning the ICE Competition is an important recognition of that vision.”

The competition in Jamaica gathered startups, investors, and thought leaders from across the Caribbean and the U.S., offering a space for innovators to showcase ideas that merge sustainability, profitability, and global relevance. CarbonX’s win not only signals a significant step forward for decarbonization strategies in the cement industry, but also highlights the increasing demand for climate technologies that are actionable today, not just in the distant future.

CarbonX’s leadership credits their University of Houston background for shaping their science-driven, results-oriented approach. “This award is not just for us,” said Samantha Maldonado. “It’s for the communities affected by climate change, the engineers working toward sustainability, and for all those searching for practical, real-world solutions.”

As Bryan Winston emphasized during the awards ceremony: “We’re not just celebrating ideas—we’re investing in futures. CarbonX Solutions serves as an example of how sustainability and entrepreneurship can come together.”

For more information about CarbonX Solutions and its award-winning technology, visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/carbonx-solutions/.