Startup-focused investor Founders Factory and diversified miner Rio Tinto have revealed the fifth cohort joining their mining-tech accelerator - the global startup programme solving the mining industry's toughest problems by backing the innovators building its future. 

The five ventures joining Founders Factory’s Mining Tech Accelerator with Rio Tinto reflect how innovation is reshaping the ways in which minerals are discovered, produced and processed, beyond the traditional mine site.

The new cohort is leveraging frontier technologies such as AI, quantum computing and deep science to unlock new sources of value across the mining value chain. 

Those selected are Blueprint powered by Imvelo, Cascade Geomatics, Determinant Materials, Fieldstone, and NanduX. These companies now make up part of the 29-strong Mining Tech portfolio. 

"Together, these visionary founders are helping transform one of the world’s oldest industries at a pivotal moment, as critical minerals and raw materials become increasingly central to global resilience, AI advancement and electrification.

“The future of mining will be shaped by advances in technology, science and new ways of producing the materials the world needs. These founders are tackling some of the key challenges facing our industry, and we’re excited to help them test and scale ideas that could transform how we find, produce and process the materials that underpin our future," says Rio Tinto innovation GM Emily Hilton.

Founders Factory president George Northcott adds that the mining sector is attracting a new generation of founders, and their technology is helping to build a more efficient, cleaner and safer industry.

"We're excited to invest in this cohort, help them validate their approaches with Rio Tinto and commercialise their solutions."

The latest cohort of the accelerator programme were selected from more than 500 applications. In particular, Cascade Geomatics offers geohazard monitoring for resources industries and infrastructure; Fieldstone harnesses biology for rapid metal measurements; Determinant Materials offers rapid, microparticle refining of critical metals at source, Blueprint comprises an economic decision platform for mining and NanduX offers copper exploration with deep sensing.

Founders Factory and Rio Tinto’s mining-tech accelerator is the launchpad from which founders can achieve early technological and market validation for their innovations with a Tier 1 miner across their global operations. Two-thirds of startups in the portfolio have trialled, are trialling or are in contract with Rio Tinto.