Kurt House (KoBold Metals)

Overview

Kurt House is a renowned entrepreneur and the CEO of KoBold Metals, a mining exploration company that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) for mineral discoveries critical for the future of energy transition. Founded in 2018, KoBold Metals aims to revolutionize the exploration of critical battery metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper by combining AI and machine learning with traditional geological methods. House's leadership in the company marks a significant intersection of technology and mineral exploration, backed by investors such as Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos.

Recent Developments

In recent years, KoBold Metals has seen several significant milestones under the leadership of Kurt House:

January 2025: KoBold Metals announced a $527 million Series C funding round to further the exploration of essential battery metals. This funding round was co-led by T. Rowe Price and Durable Capital Partners, with participation from major investors like Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz (SiliconANGLE).
December 2024: The company expanded its exploration footprint to four continents, focusing on lithium and other critical minerals, signaling its growth across North America, Africa, Australia, and Asia (Metal.com).
November 2024: KoBold Metals commenced drilling in Zambia's Dumbwa copper prospects, part of their strategy to expand across Africa's critical minerals sector (Energy Capital & Power).
June 2024: KoBold signed an MOU with Africa Finance Corporation to support the Zambia-Lobito rail project, aiming to handle more than 300,000 tons of copper annually from its Zambian mines (LinkedIn).

Personal Information

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Kurt Zenz House
Born	Information not publicly available
Nationality	United States
Occupation	CEO of KoBold Metals
Known For	Co-founding and leading KoBold Metals
Education	Ph.D. in Applied Math and Earth Science from Harvard University; B.A. in Physics from Claremont Colleges (KoBold Metals)

Early Life and Education

Kurt House pursued a career path heavily influenced by science and technology. He completed his undergraduate studies in Physics at Claremont Colleges, followed by a Ph.D. in Applied Math and Earth Science from Harvard University. His educational background laid the foundation for his work in climate and energy solutions, and entrepreneurial ventures. House has also been an adjunct professor at Stanford University and was a Research Fellow at MIT, roles that reinforced his scientific acumen and strategic insight into energy and sustainability challenges.

Career and Notable Achievements

Kurt House's career trajectory includes a blend of academia, corporate strategy, and entrepreneurial ventures:

Carbon Sequestration Venture: Before KoBold, House founded a company focused on carbon sequestration and enhanced oil recovery, highlighting his early commitment to environmental solutions (KoBold Metals).
KoBold Metals: Founded in 2018, under House's leadership, KoBold Metals has become a pioneer in applying AI to mineral exploration. The company collaborates with technology experts from Silicon Valley to enhance geological surveys with machine learning (TechCrunch).
Mingomba Copper Project: A landmark discovery at the Mingomba site in Zambia, purported to be one of the richest high-grade copper deposits found in recent decades (Bloomberg).

Current Work and Impact

Currently, Kurt House leads KoBold Metals towards being at the forefront of sustainable mineral exploration. His strategic emphasis on AI-driven methodologies to locate critical battery metals is addressing the growing demands for resources necessary for the global energy transition. Under his guidance, KoBold is developing a robust portfolio of exploration projects, with significant activities in North America, Australia, and Africa. The company’s projects aim to support the burgeoning electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors while prioritizing ethical and sustainable practices.

KoBold Metals CEO

As CEO, Kurt House has significantly advanced KoBold's growth by integrating advanced AI technologies into traditional mining practices. This innovative approach has supported breakthroughs in mineral discoveries, like the recent lithium findings in Quebec and the extensive copper deposits in Zambia.

KoBold Metals Headquarters

KoBold Metals is headquartered in Berkeley, California. The strategic location in the heart of Silicon Valley provides access to leading tech innovations and partners instrumental in the company's AI-driven initiatives.

Conclusion

Kurt House's leadership at KoBold Metals exemplifies a groundbreaking approach by merging technology with mineral exploration. His vision and strategic execution are instrumental in equipping the mining industry to meet future resource demands sustainably. The company’s dedication to developing ethical mining practices positions it as a critical player in the global energy transition. Looking ahead, House and KoBold Metals are poised to significantly influence the availability and sustainable extraction of essential battery metals, underpinning the next era of technological and environmental advance.