French geologist Emmanuel Masini, founder of Mantle8, has attracted the attention of investors like Bill Gates in the pursuit of natural hydrogen reserves buried beneath the Earth's crust. The secretive nature of these startups is driven by the potential game-changing impact of uncovering natural hydrogen. Interest in this sector is rising, with investments from major players like Breakthrough Energy Ventures and partnerships with companies such as Rio Tinto and BP. While green hydrogen production is currently costly, natural hydrogen extraction could revolutionize the industry by offering a more affordable alternative. Mantle8's technological advancements in locating and analyzing hydrogen deposits are crucial in this race towards sustainability. The startup's plans to expand its team and continue exploration signal a promising future for unlocking the potential of natural hydrogen, with the potential to reshape the global energy landscape.