Climate CEOs (formerly Entrepreneurs for Impact): Scaling Climate Tech Startups Critical Minerals: $20M for AI-Driven Mining in Nickel, Lithium & Silver Discoveries
Roman Teslyuk (Earth AI CEO) explains how machine learning + new drilling tech slash costs & speed up critical mineral discoveries to meet $10T demand.
Earth AI is discovering untapped critical metal deposits at half the cost in a fraction of the time.
They combine machine learning and new modular drilling technology to move from detecting a prospect to drilling in just three to six months.
They recently announced $20M in Series B funding in an oversubscribed round led by Tamarack Global and Cantos Ventures. Participating investors include Overmatch, Alpaca, Sparkwave Capital, Y Combinator, and Scrum Ventures.
Roman is a YC alum, ex-PhD candidate at the University of Sydney, and geologist with 10 years of industry and research experience in Europe, the Middle and Far East, and Australia.
Here are 6 topics we covered in the podcast:
1. The Problem
The world faces a projected $10T demand for critical metals by 2050, yet new mineral discoveries have declined by 70% over the last decade. Current exploration methods are expensive, slow, and increasingly inefficient.
2. AI-Powered Discovery
Roman’s team developed a machine learning model trained on 50 years of exploration data. The AI identifies geological proxies—subtle clues that indicate where valuable minerals may lie beneath the surface.
3. Vertical Integration
After realizing the industry wasn’t ready to adopt their tech, Earth AI built its own exploration and drilling systems. This vertical integration slashed costs and sped up testing, allowing them to confirm mineral targets rapidly.
4. Breakthrough Results
Their AI led to the first-ever discovery of magnetic nickel on Australia's East Coast. They’ve since found lithium, silver, and lead deposits, securing land cheaply and unlocking high-value prospects.
5. Founder Wisdom
Roman emphasizes sustainable work habits and a strong internal compass. He credits storytelling as crucial to convincing investors and the broader industry of Earth AI’s potential.
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🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:
Roman Teslyuk - https://www.linkedin.com/in/roman-teslyuk-a344881a
Earth AI - https://earth-ai.com/
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🤔 PODCAST HOST:
Dr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. Daily LinkedIn posts on climate tech startups, CEOs, and finance here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding