Durin

Founded in 2024 by CEO Ted Feldmann and based in El Segundo, California, Durin builds and operates automated drilling rigs that consolidate drilling, lab testing, planning and analysis into a single system. The company integrates robotics with conventional drilling technology to cut the cost and time of exploration drilling — an expense that typically consumes around 70% of an exploration company's capital budget — while reducing human error and keeping workers out of harm's way, transmitting data directly from the rig to geologists.

Durin raised $3.4M in a pre-seed round in 2025 led by 8090 Industries, with backing from Andreessen Horowitz, Lux Capital, Contrary, Bedrock, Champion Hill, Day One Ventures and 1517. It joined the Founders Factory and Rio Tinto Mining Tech Accelerator as it works toward drill rigs that can run unattended within a few years.