Hades emerges with ‘superheated’ drill to tap Europe’s underground energy and minerals

Hades founders Björn Dressler (left), Max Werner (centre), and Dan Gengenbach. (Full list of names at the bottom of the article). Credit: Press images/Impact Loop.
20 Aug 2025
08:00
Hades Mining has emerged from stealth with €5.5m in pre-seed funding from some of Europe’s leading deep tech VCs and founders.

The Munich-based startup is developing a secretive “superheated” drilling system that could cut the cost of geothermal energy projects and open access to Europe’s hard-to-reach critical minerals.

Early hints suggest the tech may draw inspiration from fusion energy-grade laser technology.

“We see ourselves as a resilience company, directly addressing the need to secure Europe's sovereign access to energy and resources,” Max Werner, Hades’ co-founder and CEO, tells Impact Loop.

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