Genomines Secures $45M Series A, Redefining Sustainable Metal Extraction
September 24, 2025, 3:56 pm
Jaguar Land Rover North America
Location: United States, New Jersey, Mahwah
Employees: 10001+
Founded date: 1922
Genomines, a Paris-based deep tech firm, just raised $45 million in Series A funding. This capital fuels its plant-based metal extraction. The company's phytoextraction technology uses genetically enhanced plants. These hyperaccumulators draw critical metals like nickel from soil. This process offers a faster, cheaper, and cleaner alternative to traditional mining. It addresses the urgent demand for battery materials. Genomines transforms non-productive land into economic assets. It significantly cuts operational costs and environmental impact. The total capital raised stands at $62 million. This investment marks a pivotal shift toward sustainable resource sourcing. It promises to reshape global mineral supply chains for decades.
Genomines has garnered significant investment. The company closed a $45 million Series A funding round. This financing signals a major endorsement of its innovative approach. Genomines pioneers plant-based metal extraction. This method promises to revolutionize how essential metals are sourced. The funding round was led by Engine Ventures and Forbion BioEconomy. Many other strategic investors joined. They include DeepTech & Climate Fonds, Wind, Hyundai Motor Group, Teampact Ventures, Prospect Innovation, Raise Phiture, and AlphaTech Investment Group. Existing investors Lowercarbon Capital, Entrepreneurs First, Elemental Impact, and Salida B.V. also participated. This capital infusion follows previous successful fundraising efforts. Genomines secured a $5 million seed round. It also obtained $12 million in non-dilutive funding. This non-dilutive support came from BPI France. Specific programs included i-Demo and Aide au Développement Deeptech. The company’s total capital now stands at $62 million. This substantial sum empowers Genomines. It will accelerate the deployment of its groundbreaking solutions. Funds will target large-scale field demonstrations. These demonstrations will focus on nickel production. The company will use genetically enhanced plants. It will also secure significant commercial contracts. These agreements will be with key industry partners.
Genomines’ core technology is phytoextraction. This proprietary method uses specialized plants. These "hyperaccumulators" absorb and concentrate metals. They draw metals like nickel from the soil. Once harvested, these plants are processed. They yield battery-grade metals. This process is remarkably efficient. It is also cost-effective. It stands in stark contrast to traditional mining methods. Those methods carry heavy environmental burdens. Phytoextraction offers several key advantages. It generates significantly lower emissions. It preserves soil health. It promotes biodiversity. This cleaner process is vital for today’s market. Environmental consciousness drives consumer and industry decisions.
The technology's effectiveness is proven. Genomines’ platform has already delivered impressive results. It has more than doubled nickel yields. It has also boosted biomass productivity. These achievements caught the attention of major players. Automakers like Hyundai Motor Group and Jaguar Land Rover are actively engaged. They explore potential collaborations. Genomines also partners with refiners. Battery manufacturers and commodity traders are part of its network. These collaborations solidify its industry influence.
Genomines addresses critical shortcomings of traditional mining. Conventional nickel mines take 12 to 17 years to become operational. Genomines can establish operations much faster. It achieves this in just one to two years. This speed is crucial. It meets the escalating demand for critical metals. The company’s approach also unlocks new possibilities for land use. It can transform non-productive land. These areas are unsuitable for farming. However, they are rich in metal content. Genomines turns them into valuable economic assets. This creates a dual benefit. It provides essential resources. It also revitalizes underutilized land.
Operational efficiency further defines Genomines. The company maintains operational costs. These are 40 to 50 percent lower than traditional mining. This cost advantage stems from its innovative farming methods. Genomines deploys smaller, capital-efficient assets. It avoids the massive financial outlays. These burdens plague large-scale conventional mining projects. Its processes are also cleaner and more traceable. This appeals to industries. They demand transparent and sustainable supply chains.
The leadership team drives Genomines’ success. Co-founders Fabien Koutchekian and Dr. Dali Rashid lead the company. Koutchekian serves as CEO. He brings extensive entrepreneurial experience. His background is in deep tech ventures. He previously served as an entrepreneur in residence. This role was at a prominent global accelerator. Dr. Rashid, the CTO, holds a PhD. Her expertise is in Plant Biotechnology and Genetics. Her published research forms the scientific bedrock of Genomines’ technology. Together, they assembled a formidable team. This management team boasts decades of experience. Their expertise spans mining, project finance, and mergers and acquisitions. They also possess significant backgrounds in scaling agricultural operations. Their operational team is rapidly growing. A key hub is in South Africa. Genomines currently employs 23 full-time staff. Six PhDs focus on cutting-edge research and development.
The global demand for battery materials continues to surge. Supply chains face increasing pressure. Traditional mining struggles to keep pace. Genomines offers a viable solution. It unlocks an entirely new resource base for critical minerals. Starting with nickel, the company builds resilience. It creates a more diverse supply chain. Its ability to produce across various geographies is a strength. This capability comes at a lower cost than conventional extraction. Genomines is poised to fundamentally transform mineral extraction. It does so sustainably. This innovative approach ensures a future. That future is powered by clean energy. It protects our planet. Genomines represents a paradigm shift. It moves from destructive extraction to regenerative farming. This is the future of metal sourcing. It secures vital resources. It respects the environment.
Genomines has garnered significant investment. The company closed a $45 million Series A funding round. This financing signals a major endorsement of its innovative approach. Genomines pioneers plant-based metal extraction. This method promises to revolutionize how essential metals are sourced. The funding round was led by Engine Ventures and Forbion BioEconomy. Many other strategic investors joined. They include DeepTech & Climate Fonds, Wind, Hyundai Motor Group, Teampact Ventures, Prospect Innovation, Raise Phiture, and AlphaTech Investment Group. Existing investors Lowercarbon Capital, Entrepreneurs First, Elemental Impact, and Salida B.V. also participated. This capital infusion follows previous successful fundraising efforts. Genomines secured a $5 million seed round. It also obtained $12 million in non-dilutive funding. This non-dilutive support came from BPI France. Specific programs included i-Demo and Aide au Développement Deeptech. The company’s total capital now stands at $62 million. This substantial sum empowers Genomines. It will accelerate the deployment of its groundbreaking solutions. Funds will target large-scale field demonstrations. These demonstrations will focus on nickel production. The company will use genetically enhanced plants. It will also secure significant commercial contracts. These agreements will be with key industry partners.
Genomines’ core technology is phytoextraction. This proprietary method uses specialized plants. These "hyperaccumulators" absorb and concentrate metals. They draw metals like nickel from the soil. Once harvested, these plants are processed. They yield battery-grade metals. This process is remarkably efficient. It is also cost-effective. It stands in stark contrast to traditional mining methods. Those methods carry heavy environmental burdens. Phytoextraction offers several key advantages. It generates significantly lower emissions. It preserves soil health. It promotes biodiversity. This cleaner process is vital for today’s market. Environmental consciousness drives consumer and industry decisions.
The technology's effectiveness is proven. Genomines’ platform has already delivered impressive results. It has more than doubled nickel yields. It has also boosted biomass productivity. These achievements caught the attention of major players. Automakers like Hyundai Motor Group and Jaguar Land Rover are actively engaged. They explore potential collaborations. Genomines also partners with refiners. Battery manufacturers and commodity traders are part of its network. These collaborations solidify its industry influence.
Genomines addresses critical shortcomings of traditional mining. Conventional nickel mines take 12 to 17 years to become operational. Genomines can establish operations much faster. It achieves this in just one to two years. This speed is crucial. It meets the escalating demand for critical metals. The company’s approach also unlocks new possibilities for land use. It can transform non-productive land. These areas are unsuitable for farming. However, they are rich in metal content. Genomines turns them into valuable economic assets. This creates a dual benefit. It provides essential resources. It also revitalizes underutilized land.
Operational efficiency further defines Genomines. The company maintains operational costs. These are 40 to 50 percent lower than traditional mining. This cost advantage stems from its innovative farming methods. Genomines deploys smaller, capital-efficient assets. It avoids the massive financial outlays. These burdens plague large-scale conventional mining projects. Its processes are also cleaner and more traceable. This appeals to industries. They demand transparent and sustainable supply chains.
The leadership team drives Genomines’ success. Co-founders Fabien Koutchekian and Dr. Dali Rashid lead the company. Koutchekian serves as CEO. He brings extensive entrepreneurial experience. His background is in deep tech ventures. He previously served as an entrepreneur in residence. This role was at a prominent global accelerator. Dr. Rashid, the CTO, holds a PhD. Her expertise is in Plant Biotechnology and Genetics. Her published research forms the scientific bedrock of Genomines’ technology. Together, they assembled a formidable team. This management team boasts decades of experience. Their expertise spans mining, project finance, and mergers and acquisitions. They also possess significant backgrounds in scaling agricultural operations. Their operational team is rapidly growing. A key hub is in South Africa. Genomines currently employs 23 full-time staff. Six PhDs focus on cutting-edge research and development.
The global demand for battery materials continues to surge. Supply chains face increasing pressure. Traditional mining struggles to keep pace. Genomines offers a viable solution. It unlocks an entirely new resource base for critical minerals. Starting with nickel, the company builds resilience. It creates a more diverse supply chain. Its ability to produce across various geographies is a strength. This capability comes at a lower cost than conventional extraction. Genomines is poised to fundamentally transform mineral extraction. It does so sustainably. This innovative approach ensures a future. That future is powered by clean energy. It protects our planet. Genomines represents a paradigm shift. It moves from destructive extraction to regenerative farming. This is the future of metal sourcing. It secures vital resources. It respects the environment.