Oakland City University is facing a severe financial crisis, leading to the suspension of undergraduate programs and mass layoffs. In an attempt to stabilize its finances, the school claimed it was seeking to sell a patent for a new carbon capture technology developed by a former professor. While the university hoped the carbon capture intellectual property would attract investors, the deal failed to materialize. The situation highlights the high risk and speculative nature of early stage climate tech patents when used as a primary financial lifeline for institutions.
