Mantle8 funding news – Grenoble-based Mantle8 Secures €3.4 Million in Seed Funding

The round was backed by Kiko Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures Europe (BEV-E), and several angel investors.

Emmanuel Masini, Founder and CEO of Mantle8 said, “Our science-first approach represents a paradigm shift in hydrogen exploration. It makes hydrogen discovery more scalable, accurate, faster and profitable, Our technology was founded on broad and intimate collaboration with the scientific community. The next step was finding the right partners that would enable us to deliver this technology boldly. With the support of our investors, we now have the fuel to move at the necessary pace.”

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Mantle8’s technology helps find the best natural hydrogen sources and aims to produce hydrogen at €0.77/kg, which could transform the clean energy market.

The new funds will be used to run a pilot project that will map and measure hydrogen systems underground. Mantle8 will also work on expanding its technology internationally and hire more experts in AI and geochemistry.

Natural hydrogen is made when water reacts with iron-rich rocks underground. Unlike traditional hydrogen methods, it doesn’t require energy-heavy processes.

Although low-carbon options like electrolysis from renewable energy are available, Mantle8 believes they are still too expensive. As industries such as steel, cement, and aviation look for sustainable solutions, natural hydrogen could help remove the extra cost and become a key solution for reaching net-zero goals.

Rob Trezona from Kiko Ventures said, “Most existing approaches to natural hydrogen extraction are based on trial and error, but Mantle8’s proprietary technology is based on rigorous science, We are big believers in the hydrogen economy and exited our last investment in hydrogen at over a billion; this could be even more valuable.”

It claims to be the first company focused on natural hydrogen exploration using geology. While some companies drill for natural hydrogen based on surface signs, Mantle8 takes a more scientific approach, like in oil or mining exploration, by studying the Earth’s subsurface to find reliable hydrogen sources.

Their technology can be used globally, and its precision cuts the time and cost of natural hydrogen exploration in half.

By 2030, it plans to find 10 million tonnes of natural hydrogen, matching the EU's goal of producing and importing the same amount from renewable energy.

Carmichael Roberts of Breakthrough Energy Ventures said, “Mantle8’s expansive regional knowledge and geology-based approach to natural hydrogen exploration puts the company in a strong position to make affordable hydrogen a reality in Europe, With its team of experienced geologists and its bottom-up exploration approach, Mantle8 will have a significant impact on transforming hydrogen discovery."

About Mantle8

Mantle8 was founded in 2024 and has a team of geologists with 20 years of experience. They have developed unique geological models and imaging technologies that can accurately find the best locations for natural hydrogen.