Biomining Startup Gets $13.5 Million as Critical Minerals Race Gathers Speed

A biotech startup that pulls critical minerals from low-grade ore using microbes and artificial intelligence has raised $13.5 million in venture funding, aiming to unlock new sources of copper needed for electric vehicles, data centers and military systems.

Denver-based Endolith closed the initial tranche of its Series A round at a time when the U.S. and its allies are scrambling to shore up supply chains for critical minerals that are today heavily centered on China.