Europe has long been a global leader in mining engineering, materials science, and industrial manufacturing. And despite the challenges ahead, there is strong reason to stay optimistic: the continent still holds the talent, research depth, and industrial base needed to rebuild resilient supply chains for the decades to come.
Yet the metals and mining sector faces structural challenges that threaten its ability to secure critical raw materials for the energy transition.
The biggest gap lies in the middle of the supply chain. Europe has limited refining, processing, and chemical conversion capacity, leaving it heavily reliant on imports of lithium chemicals, rare earth oxides, and battery precursors.
Slow permitting, limited exploration, and fragmented industrial policy have also left many domestic mineral resources untapped.
These vulnerabilities are compounded by geopolitical dependence and price volatility, as Europe relies on a small number of countries for key metals used in clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
Yet momentum is quickly building to address these gaps, with a growing ecosystem of innovators working to rebuild parts of the value chain locally.
Today, 65 startups across Europe are developing new approaches in exploration, refining, recycling, and material substitution, highlighting the opportunity to reshape Europe’s metals and mining future.
And we catch up with 10 Founders and Investors working and investing on the frontlines to hear why they are optimistic about Europe’s untapped potential.
Programme revealed for the HackSummit, April 22-23
HackSummit is for founders and investors building systems where failure is costly, timelines are long, and outcomes materially shape the world.
Surround yourself with bold builders unlocking Europe’s Industrial Renaissance at the HackSummit in Lausanne Switzerland.
In today’s edition:
💡 10 Founders and Investors Weigh in on Europe’s Potential
⛏️ 65 Metal, Mining and Minerals Startups to Watch
🎤 3 Metals and Materials Founders On Stage
📈 Hack Pilot Day for SME partnerships
🔦 HackSummit Programme Reveal
🪨 65 Frontrunners in Metals Recovery and Discovery
Europe’s metals and minerals ecosystem is rapidly diversifying, with a strong emphasis on circularity, battery recycling, green metals, and AI-driven innovation.
The UK and France are paving the way in battery recycling and AI-for-minerals space, with firms like Altilium, Cell Cycle, and Altrove turning waste streams and data into critical resources. Germany leads in metal recovery and biotech, exemplified by Aurubis, BRAIN, and tozero, while Nordic countries are decarbonising steel and producing green metals through initiatives such as Hybrit and Blastr Green Steel.
To get the inside track on what’s new, next and where Europe needs to do better we caught up with tozero, Genomines, Remephy, Magmatic Bio, Founders Fsctory, Jälle Technologies, Watercycle Technologies, Bloomineral, AraBat and Keen Venture Partners.
🔦 Metals, Minerals and Materials Take Center Stage
These 3 Founders represent the innovation Europe needs to regain industrial relevance.
They’ll be heading to the HackSummit on April 22 to share their bold opinions and contrarian thoughts in fireside chats with investors on the future of new materials:
⛏️ Assia Kasdi, Founder and CEO of Milvus Advanced. A pioneer in creating substitutes for platinum-group metals at the nanoscale, enabling high-performance catalysis and driving advancements in sustainable technology.
Why it matters: By reducing reliance on scarce and expensive metals, Milvus accelerates the transition to greener technologies while lowering environmental and geopolitical risks.
🧬 Joonatan Laulainen, Co-Founder and CTO of Altrove. Building the inorganic materials of the future at the intersection of AI and materials science.
Why it matters: By accelerating materials discovery from years to weeks and replacing geopolitically risky inputs, Altrove strengthens industrial resilience and reduces Europe’s supply‑chain dependence.
♨️ Max Werner, CEO and Founder of Hades Mining. By accessing ultra-deep and stable heat reservoirs beneath the Earth’s crust, Max and his team can unlock geothermal energy at a new scale to build a foundation for energy abundance and global resilience.
Why it matters: Designing for longevity, their technology aligns industrial durability with environmental responsibility.
📈 Startup × SME in Action
At the Hack Pilot Day (the day after the HackSummit), we’ll kickstart real-world startup–SME collaborations that turn climate innovation into practice.
Already confirmed to join us, Swiss startup Circea and craft brewery La Nébuleuse will share how they partnered to capture CO₂ released during beer fermentation and reuse it locally.
Transforming what would normally be emissions into a valuable resource for beverage production, recover fermentation CO₂ and scale a more circular and resilient supply chain.
Join the Hack Pilot Day to meet SMEs open to collaborate, from testing a first pilot to scaling real industrial solutions.
Plus take your pick from a whole host of Side Events including Pitching Sessions, Site Visits, Retreat and Parties over the HackWeek.
💸 Get Found, Get Funded
Snapshot of the latest Investors confirmed to join HackSummit
We’re just one month away from Europe’s leading Founders and Funders converging at the HackSummit on April 22-23.
Where you’ll connect with investors from leading banks, asset managers, VCs and angel syndicates looking for their next opportunity.
Last year, over 4,000 meetings took place via the 1-1 networking app alone plus 1,000s more spontaneous meetings and connections happened across the 2 days.
It’s time to broaden your investment network, explore new partnerships, and spark new conversations.
Ready to join us? Reserve your place today before the ticket prices increase on Monday.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Laura at Hack
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