GeologicAI has closed a $20-million Series A round from Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a cleantech fund founded by the Microsoft billionaire. The startup uses AI-driven robotics technology to gather underground data for resource exploration. (The Logic)

Talking point: GeologicAI will use the funds to build out a fleet of “robot geologists,” which the company said will help “meet our planet’s increasing demand for critical minerals.” The company’s technology uses high-resolution imaging and hyperspectral data to scan rock samples with more precision than traditional core logging methods, according to a press release. The fundraising comes as prices for critical minerals like cobalt and lithium rise sharply with growing demand, prompting producers to seek out cheaper development options as competition heats up.