Genomines

Genomines is a Paris-based deep tech company that produces nickel through phytoextraction (phytomining) rather than conventional mining. It cultivates "metal farms" of hyperaccumulator plants from the Asteraceae (daisy/sunflower) family that absorb metallic ions from nickel-bearing soils through their roots and store them in above-ground tissue, reportedly reaching up to 7.6% of the plant's total biomass. The plants are genetically enhanced for greater size, biomass and metal uptake, supported by a targeted soil microbiome developed by an in-house microbiology team using bacteria and fungi strains, with reduced synthetic fertilizer input. Plants are typically harvested after four to six months (perennials that can live up to 15 years after planting), yielding up to 2.5 tonnes of nickel per hectare per year according to the company.

After harvest, the biomass is processed to recover metal using bioleaching and a patent-pending pyrolysis step that heats plant material in the absence of oxygen, producing a nickel-rich biochar rather than ash and retaining carbon. The company states its nickel concentrate is 40-60% richer than traditional industry products, with purity expected to reach 40% nickel content at full deployment versus 8-12% for conventional mining outputs, and that outputs are battery-grade and compatible with existing supply chains. Genomines claims roughly 40% lower cash cost per ton than traditional extraction (elsewhere described as operational costs cut by up to 50%), significantly lower capex, deployment timelines of 1-2 years versus more than a decade for conventional mines, and 45 tons less CO2-equivalent per ton of nickel versus traditional laterite extraction.

The company targets low-grade, non-arable or heavy-metal-contaminated land that is uneconomic for both conventional mining and agriculture, and says its technology could unlock more than 70 million tons of potential annual nickel supply. Its longer-term platform ambition extends to other critical metals including cobalt, palladium and rare earth elements. As of 2025 the team numbered about 25 people across France and South Africa.

Founding story

The company originated from Entrepreneur First, the talent investor and startup incubator, where mining engineer Fabien Koutchekian met plant biotechnology researcher Dr. Dali Rashid in March 2021. Koutchekian, a second-time founder, holds a Master's in mining engineering from École des Mines plus degrees from Audencia and Sciences Po Paris, and had previously spent two years in consulting and launched an earlier unsuccessful venture. Rashid holds a PhD in plant biotechnology and genetic engineering from Paris-Sud University, with research on hyperaccumulator plants and plant sex determination that underpins the company's IP. Their conversations connected Koutchekian's interest in plants surviving open-pit mine environments with Rashid's work on metal-accumulating plants. The pair spent roughly six months mapping and scoring candidate problems and solutions on feasibility, market potential and their "right to win," including regulatory considerations, before formally launching Genomines around phytomining.

Business model

Genomines produces nickel concentrate from plant biomass grown on low-grade land and sells it into existing metal supply chains, positioning itself as complementary to rather than a replacement for traditional mining. The company has said its commercial approach will vary by site, spanning licensing, co-development, joint ventures, and independent operation.

Sale of bio-sourced nickel products (concentrate/battery-grade material) to battery, automotive and stainless steel supply chains, with offtake contracts a stated priority; alternative models include licensing the technology platform and joint ventures depending on the site.

Traction

Genomines reports having demonstrated double the nickel yield and biomass productivity in the lab, produced battery-grade nickel, and is running separate pilot projects with Hyundai Motor Group and Jaguar Land Rover. It reported MOUs and offers exceeding €200 million as of October 2025 and total funding of $62 million. The company aims to produce 150,000 tonnes of bio-nickel per year by 2030 — enough, it says, for batteries for up to three million electric cars — and targets installed production capacity of 100,000-150,000 tons of nickel within the next decade.

Latest developments

In September 2025 Genomines closed an oversubscribed $45 million Series A co-led by Engine Ventures and Forbion BioEconomy, bringing total funding to $62 million; proceeds are directed at scaling from pilot to commercial operations, full-scale field demonstrations in South Africa, and securing offtake contracts. Company news listings also reference later items including recognition of CTO Dali Rashid by the Cartier Women's Initiative and a Top Pitch Award for Aidan Dunning at ChangeNOW 2026.