Endolith, a biotech startup based in the United States, has successfully raised $13.5 million in seed funding to advance its innovative approach to metal recovery using artificial intelligence. This funding round, characterized as Series A, was led by Baltimore’s Squadra Ventures and included contributions from Draper Associates, Collaborative Fund, and Overture Climate Fund. The startup is developing a process that employs microbes to extract essential minerals like copper from low-grade ores, potentially offering a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional mining methods.
The growing interest in critical minerals, driven by geopolitical tensions and the transition to clean energy, has heightened investor focus on companies enhancing domestic mineral supplies. Endolith’s approach reflects a broader trend where financial markets now view technologies related to critical minerals as integral to national security infrastructure. As conventional mining faces increasing costs and regulatory challenges, innovative solutions like biomining are gaining traction.
Endolith aims to pioneer a new category of industrial biotechnology by integrating technology, data, and industrial systems to ensure a stable supply of critical minerals. Although still in its early stages, the company plans to use the initial funding to support pilot engineering, process validation, and the expansion of its microbial extraction systems. An additional $3 million is anticipated following successful laboratory results and initial commercial interest.
