In today's rapidly evolving economic and geopolitical landscape, the reliance on critical materials has become Europe's Achilles' heel. Whether you're sourcing lithium for batteries, cobalt for electronics, or rare earth elements for wind turbines, these indispensable resources pose unique challenges. From her perspective as a serial entrepreneur, Violetta Bonenkamp, known for blending cutting-edge tech and innovative thinking, sees a turning point. With startups leading the charge, Europe might soon untangle itself from its dependence on imported critical materials, if innovation, investment, and execution align.
"Critical materials aren't just a supply chain concern; they define Europe’s strategy for resilience, sovereignty, and sustainability," says Bonenkamp. As someone who navigates deeptech and gamepreneurship methodologies, she understands the weight of solving this puzzle. Below, we explore 13 forward-thinking startups reshaping Europe's critical materials landscape, as well as their methodologies, common pitfalls, and ways you can learn from their journey.
How Startups Are Solving the Critical Materials Problem
Before diving into the list, here’s an overview of startup approaches in this space:
- Localizing Production: Mining or synthesizing critical minerals domestically to reduce reliance on exports from countries like China.
- Sustainability as a Core Principle: Prioritizing green mining and circular economics to align with climate goals.
- Advanced Recycling: Recovering critical elements from e-waste and industrial byproducts.
- Alternative Materials: Using AI to discover viable substitutes for rare minerals.
- Supply Chain Optimization: Enhancing traceability, ESG compliance, and risk assessment through data platforms.
Funding for EU startups tackling these challenges has skyrocketed in 2023–2025, reaching over $2 billion in cumulative investments, according to Dealroom.
13 Startups Securing Europe's Critical Materials
1. Hades Robotics
- Sector: Reshoring critical mining operations.
- Innovation: Advanced robotics and digital twin technologies optimize low-yield EU mines previously deemed unprofitable.
- Why It Matters: Germany-based Hades leads mining automation, enabling Europe to strategically reopen mineral-rich sites ignored for decades.
- VC Support: Project A Ventures backs the startup's vision of sovereign material production.
2. Genomines
- Sector: Biotech mining.
- Innovation: Harnesses genetically modified plants to extract nickel and other metals naturally.
- Founder Insight: "Scaling biopharmaceutical strategies into mining is a game-changer," says Bonenkamp.
- Success Story: Raised $45M in Series A.
3. Cylib
- Sector: Battery recycling (Germany).
- Innovation: AI-driven systems for extracting lithium and cobalt from discarded batteries.
- Impact: Promotes EU autonomy in energy storage solutions.
4. REEgen
- Sector: Rare earth recycling.
- Concept: Uses engineered microbes to process waste feedstocks and extract rare elements without toxic chemicals or high heat.
5. Airex
- Sector: AI logistics/recycling.
- Highlight: Uses machine learning in processing streams to recover copper and silver, even in low-grade waste streams.
- Impact: Europe’s urban waste represents an untapped "secondary mining" opportunity, says Bonenkamp.
Insights from the Startup Game Methodology
For entrepreneurs aiming to break into deeptech or critical materials innovation, Bonenkamp emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches. "The startup game methodology combines scientific rigor with creativity and game-based experimentation. It’s how teams can de-risk projects, a necessity in sectors like materials." Her initiatives with Fe/male Switch and CADChain push societal progress while solving technical challenges.
How to Launch a Startup in Critical Materials Innovation
If reading about Europe’s pioneering startups sparks ideas for your entrepreneurial journey, here’s a guide to get started:
- Research Gaps: Tackle overlooked challenges like low-yield resources or e-waste. Pair technical knowledge with market data.
- Partner Up: Seek alliances with accelerators or funding bodies like EIT Raw Materials.
- Prototype & Validate: Like Genomines, succeed by starting small and ensuring proof-of-concept via pilot trials.
- Learn Regulatory Requirements: Understand the European Critical Materials Act to navigate ESG compliance.
Avoid These Mistakes in the Critical Materials Sector
- Underestimating R&D Timeline: Many ventures fail due to underplanning in innovation cycles.
- Neglecting ESG in Supply Chains: Europe's consumers and investors prize sustainability.
- Scaling Too Early: Resource-intensive sectors demand stability before expansion.
Why This Matters for Europe's Entrepreneurs
Startups tackling critical materials uniquely position themselves in sectors influencing infrastructure, defense, and climate technology. For those seeking inspiration, these ventures are proof that deep challenges often foster game-changing innovation. Entrepreneurs in related spaces should explore partnerships, whether through accelerators like EIT Raw Materials or VC-backed networks.
Bonenkamp urges aspiring founders to think of Europe’s material resilience as a model for innovation and purpose-led solutions. As geopolitical uncertainties rise, aligning entrepreneurial processes with societal goals is no longer optional, it’s strategic.
Conclusion
Europe’s startups are stepping into a pivotal moment in history, securing the resources critical not just for technological advancement but for regional independence. The visionaries behind Genomines, Cylib, and Hades Robotics prove that blending sustainability, sovereignty, and scalability isn’t only possible, it’s profitable. For entrepreneurs, the takeaway is clear: multidisciplinary approaches, strong networks, and bold visions are your keys to contributing to Europe’s critical material challenges.
Learn more about this landscape and strategic opportunities by exploring Europe’s 13 Startups Innovating the Critical Materials Supply Chain directly, or start with Bonenkamp’s own gamepreneurship methodology, a framework designed for today’s new breed of entrepreneurs. As Violetta Bonenkamp wisely notes: “Innovation isn’t about fixing problems; it’s about revolutionizing mindsets.”
FAQ
1. What are critical materials, and why do they matter for Europe?
Critical materials are vital resources like lithium, cobalt, and rare earths essential for technologies such as batteries, wind turbines, and electronics. Their supply impacts Europe's resilience, sovereignty, and sustainability. Learn more about Europe's critical materials strategy
2. Which startups are tackling Europe's critical materials challenges?
European startups like Hades Robotics, Genomines, Cylib, and REEgen are innovating in areas such as mining, recycling, and material substitutes to reduce reliance on imports. Discover emerging critical materials startups
3. How do Genomines contribute to green mining innovation?
Genomines uses genetically engineered plants to extract nickel and other metals, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional mining. Read about Genomines
4. What methods are startups using to solve the critical materials problem?
Startups employ strategies like localizing production, advanced recycling, alternative materials discovery, and supply chain optimization. Learn about these methods in detail
5. What role does AI play in critical material startups?
AI aids in materials discovery, waste stream processing, and recyclability optimization, helping startups create alternatives and minimize ecological impact. Discover AI's role in critical materials
6. How has funding for startups tackling critical materials evolved?
Between 2023–2025, funding for EU startups in critical materials innovation has exceeded $2 billion, indicating increasing investor interest. Explore funding insights
7. What is the European Critical Raw Materials Act?
The Act emphasizes local production, circularity, and increased recycling to secure Europe's critical material supply and reduce dependency. Learn more about the Act
8. What challenges do startups in the critical materials sector face?
Common pitfalls include underestimating R&D timelines, neglecting ESG compliance, and premature scaling. Understand startup challenges in critical materials
9. Which startups lead in battery recycling innovation?
Cylib employs AI-driven systems to recover lithium and cobalt from discarded batteries, helping Europe achieve energy storage independence. Learn about Cylib
10. How can aspiring entrepreneurs launch a startup in this space?
Entrepreneurs should research gaps, partner with accelerators like EIT Raw Materials, prototype their solutions, and understand regulatory requirements. See resources for startups
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.