A global competition for early-stage ventures and academic research technologies in critical minerals and rare earths.
Gain access to Industry Partners and a potential investment to translate your technology into real-world impact.
Israel’s leading prototyping & venture building hub for energy & climate tech
The Labs4Minerals Competition spotlights promising early-stage ventures and academic technologies that strengthen critical minerals and rare earths value-chain independence.
The competition includes two tracks: an Academic Technologies Track for researchers and research teams, and a Ventures Track for entrepreneurs leading or seeking to establish a company.
Applications are welcome from around the globe, particularly from entrepreneurs and researchers in Pax Silica member countries.
Be in to gain visibility, access to our Industry Partners, and a potential investment offer to translate your technology into real-world impact.
Innovate and Win Big
All applications are reviewed by our expert Screening Committee comprised of leading global investors and industry leaders. Finalists also pitch live at the final hybrid event, and gain recognition from global industry experts and investors.
Industry Connections
Access to our Industry Partners (Evonik and Tenova Advanced Materials) for feedback on potential applicability and industry interest for their technology, forming relationships that could prove invaluable as you develop your technology further.
Up to US$2M Investment Opportunity
An investment offer by NetZero Ventures, as part of the IIA Incubator Program 4, and subject to the Terms and Conditions, for an existing venture or for commercializing a researcher’s submitted technology through a new venture. The funded venture must conduct most of its initial R&D in Israel.
Gain Global Exposure
All applications are reviewed by our expert Screening Committee comprised of leading global investors and industry leaders. Finalists also pitch live at the final hybrid event, and gain recognition from global industry experts and investors.
Questions?
Focus Areas
Exploration
Exploration of critical and strategic raw materials: this includes precision drilling, remote sensing, and the use of AI and big data to access and assess previously sub-economic resources, retired mines, and re-assess mine tailings and post-processing waste heaps, whilst reducing costs and waste.
Extraction, processing and refining
Extraction, processing and metallurgy refining for the supply of primary critical and strategic raw materials: this includes approaches such as hydrometallurgical, bioleaching, phytomining and nano-filtration. A holistic approach to economical and sustainable mining operations is essential for the ambitions of the CRMA. Deep tech innovations that enable electrified autonomous operation of mining equipment are within scope.
Recycling and recovery
Recycling from end-of-life products for the supply of secondary critical and strategic raw materials: this includes urban mining and the use of battery black mass and electronic waste as CRM feedstock.
Substitutes
Innovating material substitutes and next-generation designs that reduce or eliminate reliance on rare earth elements.
Other mineral technologies with both strong economic advantages as well as sustainability benefits– surprise us!
Who Should Apply?
Academic Researchers Track
Applications by researchers (PIs, PhDs, and PhD candidates) affiliated with a recognized academic or research institution, submitting non-commercialized technology developed with their participation at that institution.
Early-Stage Ventures Track
Applications by entrepreneurs or teams leading, or seeking to establish, a commercial venture, whether or not academia-based. If the venture has been incorporated, then must have raised up to US$250,000 in dilutive funding (excluding grants).
In both tracks, we welcome:
- Applications for technologies that are at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between 2-5. These levels represent the stages of development of a certain technology: TRL 2 formulates the concept, TRL 3 establishes proof-of-concept, TRL 4 validates components in a lab, and TRL 5 demonstrates them in a simulated/relevant environment.
- Applicants from individuals that reside in Pax Silica member countries (United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Netherlands, Israel, the UAE, and Norway). Applicants from additional countries may also apply.
Timeline
July 13,
2026
Applications open
Webinar series begins
October 15, 2026
Applications close
Nov 1, 2026
Finalists announced
Nov 17, 2026
Pitch event (hybrid format)
Led by
In collaboration with
Partners
Judges and Screening Committee
Dr. Gideon Friedmann
NetZero Tech Ventures
Chief Technology Officer
Irad Rekem
Tenova Advanced Technologies
Managing Director (CEO)
Ziv Dee Noor
Tenova Advanced Technologies
Chief Technology Officer
Mark Frayman
Orion Industrial Ventures
Managing Partner
Ron Gonen
Closed Loop Partners
Chief Executive Officer
Joshua Posamentier
Congruent Ventures
Managing Partner
Andrea Siciliani
TechEnergy
Principal
Dr. Dori Kalai
Ratio Technologies
Director of Technology
Dr. Khalil Abu Rabeah
ICL Group
VP R&D Commodity Fertilizers and Product Innovation
Asi Shalgi
Other Sources Energy Group
Chief Executive Officer
Brian Rosen
Ministry of Energy and Infrastructures
Chief Scientist
Sam Grossman
Javelin Global Commodities
Founding Partner
Ariel Dayan
Evonik
Senior Business Manager
Lior Frimet
Tel Aviv Global
Head of Academic and Industry Alliances
Noam Goldstein
MAI
Chairman of the Chemical Association at MAI
Meet our Industry Leaders & Expert Investors
Join our series of webinars and meetups
With the rapid buildout of AI infrastructure and the global transition to a metals-based energy economy, the need for secure, sustainable access to critical minerals has never been greater.
For innovators, this challenge represents a major opportunity — but the minerals sector is notoriously difficult to navigate.
To help entrepreneurs and researchers understand the industry’s real-world needs and investor priorities, we are hosting a series of webinars and in-person meetups with our industry partners, Tenova Advanced Technologies and Evonik, together with members of our Screening Committee.
These sessions will offer direct insight into where the most urgent gaps lie, what industry and capital are looking for, and how your technology can translate into real-world impact.
Webinar #1: Critical Minerals & Rare Earths — What Industry Needs and Investors Want
June 3rd, 2026
9:00 am Israel | 4:00pm AEST | 3:00am EST
Featuring:
- Mark Frayman, Managing Partner, Orion Industrial Ventures
- Tenova Advanced Technologies
Webinar #2: Rare Earths
June 30rd, 2026
17:00 PM Israel | 0:00 AM AEST | 7:00 AM California | 10:00 AM New York
Featuring:
- Andrea Siciliani, Principal, TechEnergy Ventures
Competition Launch Event, July 13th, TLV – SOLD OUT
FAQs
Do I need to be Israeli or associated with an academic institute in Israel in order to apply?
We welcome applications from individuals associated with any academic or research institution, in Israel and around the globe, in particular from Pax Silica countries.
All applicants are reviewed by screening committee members from major industrial institutions and specialised VCs. The investment opportunity is available only to those who can conduct their R&D in Israel.
Do I need to attend the pitch event in person in Israel, if selected as a Finalist?
No, the final event is hybrid, and selected finalists may participate remotely.
Can I waive the right to be considered for the Investment Offer and still be eligible for access to the industry connections and recognition?
Yes. The application form includes an option to waive any of the prizes that do not apply to you.
Should I establish an Israeli company to move forward with the Investment Offer Prize?
The funding amounts concerning the Investment Offer will be granted jointly by NetZero and the Israel Innovation Authority, according to the terms of Program 4 Technology Incubators of the Authority. These terms determine, among other, that the commercial entity that will receive the license for the Innovation to develop it into a commercial product should be established in Israel. Please read the Terms of the Competition for more details.
How will my application be evaluated?
Your application will be evaluated by members of a Screening Committee established by the Organizers. Finalists will be invited to pitch at a live /hybrid event in Israel, where the Judges will decide and announce the Winner(s).
Where do I go if I have a question?
Check out the Competition Terms in this website or send an email to info@net-zero.vc
How is the Labs4Minerals Competition different from the Israel Innovation Authority's Tnufa Critical Minerals Challenge?
The Tnufa Challenge is a government grant program supporting early-stage, Israel-based ventures at proof-of-concept, while Labs4Minerals is NetZero Ventures’ venture-building pathway that helps founders turn critical minerals research into scalable, investable companies. The two are complementary, and founders are welcome to engage with both.
How many finalists and winners will there be?
There will 3 finalists for each track; and one winner in each.
For more detailed information
Who are we?
NetZero Tech Ventures is the most active early-stage investor and venture builder in Israeli energy and climate tech.
Tenova specializes in innovative technologies and solutions for the metals and mining industries.