Natural Hydrogen: Bill Gates’ Fund Invests in a French Start-up

Natural Hydrogen: Bill Gates' Fund Invests in a French Start-up
Natural Hydrogen: Bill Gates’ Fund Invests in a French Start-up

Sassenage-based start-up Mantle 8 has just secured €3.4 million in funding from Kiko Ventures and the European arm of Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures* fund.

Founded in 2018, Mantle 8 is a discreet yet pioneering company developing geological models and imaging technologies to detect natural hydrogen deposits. The company is led by Emmanuel Masini, a trained geologist and former TotalEnergies employee.

What sets Mantle 8 apart is its ability to accurately predict the location of white hydrogen deposits, eliminating the need for experimental or “blind” drilling. The company’s ambition is to reduce production costs to just €0.80 per kilo, compared to the €6–€8 per kilo required for green hydrogen.

Mantle 8’s technology not only identifies deposits but also assesses the quantity and quality of the gas found. It enables real-time imaging of hydrogen networks and their dynamics. “We’ll be able to observe how fluids are generated, expelled, and migrate towards reservoirs,” explains CEO Emmanuel Masini.

The newly secured funding will allow Mantle 8 to double its team of geologists by 2025 and accelerate its exploration campaigns.

*Breakthrough Energy Ventures has already invested in Koloma in the United States.

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About the author

Picture of Marina Leite King

Marina Leite King

As a Brazilian passionate about languages, human rights and environmental issues, I hold a Bachelor's degree in Applied Foreign Languages with a major in International Economic Development. Drawing on my experience as a content creator on social networks, I joined Seiya Consulting and H2 Today in June 2022, first as an intern, then as Marketing & Communication Manager and Designer.

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