Meet David Gory
A climate-focused engineer shaped by lived experience, David Gory has spent his life turning personal challenges into regenerative solutions for communities worldwide. His work bridges empathy, innovation, and a deep belief that clean air and clean water should be universal rights. Guided by a strong sense of responsibility and a passion for sustainable transformation, David continues to design systems and strategies that not only solve problems but also empower the people most affected by environmental change. His mission is rooted in creating long-term impact, solutions that restore, regenerate, and ensure a healthier planet for generations to come.
There are people who build technology, and there are people who build hope. David Onajite Gory does both. As the Co-founder and CEO of Airbuild Inc, he carries a mission rooted not in corporate ambition but in early memories of polluted waterways, fragile infrastructure, and the quiet resolve born from witnessing how environmental challenges shape human possibility.
Early Journey
David grew up in Nigeria, in a community where clean water was not a guarantee but a daily negotiation. His family relied on well water because natural sources were too polluted to trust—an experience that carved early questions about fairness, access, and the systems that determine who thrives and who struggles.
At sixteen, he immigrated to the United States to study mechanical engineering, carrying both ambition and the weight of what he hoped to change. His studies eventually expanded into systems engineering, cybersecurity, automation, and climate technology.
“I immigrated from Nigeria to the United States at 16 to pursue mechanical engineering, driven by a desire to improve the systems that support human well-being,”
That desire would define every chapter of his journey.
The Turning Point
For years, David’s work centered on solving isolated technical problems. But with time, he began seeing how deeply environmental issues were interconnected—how polluted water, waste systems, carbon emissions, and failing infrastructure formed a single web affecting communities across the world, especially the most vulnerable.
A personal realization followed: the environmental challenges he witnessed in Nigeria were global, deeply systemic, and often overlooked. “I chose this path because climate resilience and water security shouldn’t be luxuries,” he says.
“What started as a personal loss became a lifelong commitment to preventative, regenerative infrastructure.”
Immigration challenges, limited resources, and entering industries dominated by legacy systems added emotional and structural hurdles. But David built forward. “Each stage required learning quickly, finding allies, and refusing to accept that ‘the way things have always been done’ was the only way forward.”
The milestones that came later, Techstars in 2023, a major technology pivot in 2024, and the 2025 Green River demonstration, were not just professional accomplishments. They were confirmations that persistence, creativity, and purpose could reshape an entire field.
“The path is often grueling, lonely, and demands thick skin and real sacrifice, but for me and my team, the impact we’re creating makes every step worth it.”
Their Work Today
Airbuild is David’s response to decades of environmental inequity. Through autonomous BioPods that clean polluted water, convert organic waste into biochar, and capture carbon—all without heavy infrastructure—he is redefining what sustainable systems can look like.
“Our systems clean contaminated water while converting organic waste into biochar,
“For communities, this translates to cleaner water, healthier environments, and new uses for waste streams that once posed environmental risks.”
Airbuild’s approach shows that climate solutions don’t need to be extractive or expensive, they can be regenerative, accessible, and life-giving.
For David, the true measure of success lies in longevity and community impact.
“If decades from now Airbuild’s infrastructure is still cleaning water, preventing waste, and locking carbon away, then the mission was fulfilled.”
His work is a tribute to where he came from and a promise to future generations.
A Tribute to the Team Behind the Mission
David is the first to emphasize that none of this work happens in isolation.
“I could not have done this alone,” he says. “My team are the real climate heroes.”
Behind every breakthrough, every prototype, and every field demonstration is a group of builders, engineers, scientists, and community partners who share his belief that regenerative systems can reshape the future. Their dedication, resilience, and creativity continue to transform Airbuild’s vision into reality, proving that meaningful climate action is always a collective effort.
Closing Reflection
David leads with the clarity that environmental justice and human dignity are deeply intertwined. His journey, from Nigeria’s polluted waterways to pioneering regenerative infrastructure reminds us that purpose-driven work often begins with lived experience. By building systems that restore ecosystems and strengthen communities, David is not just developing technology; he is creating pathways toward a more resilient future.
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