Genomines, a pioneering biotech startup redefining how metals are sourced, has successfully raised $45 million in Series A funding. The round was led by a powerhouse group of investors including Engine Ventures, Forbion, DTCF | DeepTech & Climate Funds, Wind, Hyundai Motor Group, Teampact Ventures, Prospect Innovation, Raise Phiture, AlphaTech Investment Group, Lowercarbon Capital, Entrepreneurs First, Elemental Impact, and Salida B.V.

Founded by Fabien Koutchekian and Dali Rashid, PhD, Genomines is advancing the use of biotechnology to extract critical metals from plants  -  a revolutionary process known as bio-mining. This approach could transform mining into a low-impact, climate-aligned industry, reducing the need for destructive extraction methods.

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The Vision Behind Genomines

Traditional mining is one of the world’s most environmentally damaging industries, responsible for 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions (IEA, 2023) and widespread ecosystem disruption. Genomines are tackling this head-on by engineering plants that naturally absorb metals from the soil. These metals can then be harvested sustainably, creating a circular and low-emission alternative to conventional mining.

By focusing on metals essential to the clean energy transition  -  including nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements  -  Genomines positions itself at the heart of the global push for renewable energy, electric vehicles (EVs), and energy storage systems.

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Why This Raise Matters Now

The urgency of climate change and the clean energy revolution has created an unprecedented demand for critical metals. The World Bank estimates that demand for minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel could increase by 500% by 2050 due to clean energy technologies.

Meanwhile, supply chains remain fragile. Traditional mining faces growing regulatory, environmental, and social challenges. This creates a perfect moment for disruptive alternatives like Genomines. For founders, the deeper signal here is that markets don’t just reward innovation  -  they reward innovation timed to collide with inevitability. You don’t have to convince industries of the problem when demand curves are skyrocketing and supply chains are breaking. What you do have to prove is scalability. That’s the ultra-lesson: investors back inevitability when it’s paired with execution. If you’re building where global demand is compounding and legacy models are collapsing under their own weight, your startup moves from “interesting” to “necessary.”

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The Investors Betting Big

This round reflects a powerful blend of climate-focused funds, corporate investors, and early-stage champions:

• Engine Ventures and Forbion bring deep expertise in scaling science-driven startups.
  
• DTCF and Lowercarbon Capital highlight strong climate-tech conviction.
  
• Hyundai Motor Group’s participation underscores the growing importance of sustainable mining in the automotive and EV supply chain.
  
• Entrepreneurs First and Elemental Impact reflect strong early belief in the founding team’s bold vision.
  

The mix of corporate strategic backers and climate-first VCs indicates that Genomines is not just a biotech startup  -  it is being groomed to play a critical role in the global energy and manufacturing ecosystem.

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Market Outlook: Mining Meets Biotech

The mining industry is undergoing a radical shift. McKinsey projects that the demand for battery metals will grow threefold by 2035, while supply lags dangerously behind. Simultaneously, the global biotech industry is projected to surpass $3.88 trillion by 2030 (Grand View Research).

Genomines sit exactly at this intersection  -  creating a new market category often referred to as synthetic biology for climate. According to PitchBook, funding for climate biotech surged to $7.6 billion in 2023, with investors increasingly prioritizing ventures that can deliver measurable decarbonization outcomes.

If successful, bio-mining could dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of essential metals, cutting emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional mining. That’s not just innovation  -  that’s disruption at a planetary scale.

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What’s Next for Genomines

With $45 million in Series A capital, Genomines will:

• Accelerate R&D to optimize plant-based metal absorption and scaling techniques.
  
• Expand pilot projects with global mining and energy companies.
  
• Develop commercial partnerships with battery manufacturers and EV makers.
  
• Build out global operations, starting with regions rich in mineral-laden soils.
  

The next phase of growth will determine if Genomines can move from scientific promise to industrial-scale impact. With the backing of Hyundai and leading climate funds, the company is well-positioned to bridge that gap.

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Final Thoughts

Genomines’ $45 million raise marks a watershed moment in climate technology, synthetic biology, and mining innovation. By merging biotech with sustainability, Fabien Koutchekian and Dali Rashid’s team are offering a viable, scalable path to sourcing the metals our clean energy future depends on.

For founders, the takeaway is sharp: funding follows inevitability. When your technology aligns with unstoppable global demand and solves structural inefficiencies in legacy industries, investors don’t just see potential - they see inevitability. That’s what makes companies like Genomines not just backed, but fast-tracked.

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