Mantle8, a French startup specializing in natural hydrogen exploration, has successfully raised a €3.4 million seed round with contributions from investors like Kiko Ventures and Breakthrough Energy Ventures Europe. The company plans to utilize the funding to conduct a pilot study to visualize and quantify hydrogen systems underground and expand its team by hiring experts in geochemistry and artificial intelligence. Mantle8's innovative technology integrates geophysics, geochemistry, and seismic data to precisely identify natural hydrogen locations, enabling efficient extraction without the need for energy-intensive processes. Unlike traditional hydrogen production methods, natural hydrogen occurs naturally when water interacts with iron-rich rocks underground, presenting a more cost-effective and sustainable solution. As global industries seek green alternatives for challenging sectors like steel, cement, and aviation, natural hydrogen has the potential to emerge as a key player in achieving net-zero goals. Mantle8 aims to leverage its scalable technology to explore natural hydrogen resources efficiently and plans to discover 10Mt of natural hydrogen by 2030, aligning with the EU's renewable hydrogen production objectives. The company's CEO, Emmanuel Masini, emphasizes their science-driven approach and collaboration with the scientific community, highlighting the potential to revolutionize hydrogen exploration. Investors commend Mantle8's rigorous scientific approach and believe in the company's capability to drive innovation in the hydrogen sector, ultimately making affordable and sustainable hydrogen a reality in Europe.