London, United Kingdom, 16th October 2025 – Optimal Slope, a deep tech startup focused on revolutionizing the open-pit mining industry, has secured a £400,000 investment from Digital Catapult. The funding will allow Optimal Slope to further develop its solution, expand partnerships with global mining companies, and drive the decarbonization of the sector.
Founded in 2021, Optimal Slope has created the world’s first software platform for automating, optimizing, and digitalizing the design of mine pit walls. Traditionally, this process relies on manual trial-and-error by engineers, but Optimal Slope’s solution uses deep tech to minimize waste rock excavation, reduce costs, and increase profitability for mining operations. Additionally, the technology significantly cuts down on carbon emissions, making it a crucial tool for decarbonizing the industry.
While mining is often associated with negative environmental impacts, it is also essential for producing the metals necessary for clean energy technologies. By reducing waste and energy usage in the excavation process, Optimal Slope is driving the sector towards a more sustainable future. This investment from Digital Catapult will support Optimal Slope’s expansion into key international markets such as Australia, Canada, South America, and Africa, where metal mining plays a critical role in the global clean energy supply chain.
Stefano Utili, Co-Founder and CEO of Optimal Slope, expressed his gratitude for Digital Catapult’s investment, stating that “mining has a crucial role to play in the transition to renewable energy, but the industry needs to change the way it operates to gain widespread social acceptability.” He believes that Optimal Slope’s mission to make mining cleaner, more efficient, and more digitally advanced aligns with Digital Catapult’s vision, and the investment will help them achieve their goals.
Susan Bowen, CEO of Digital Catapult, also shared her enthusiasm for the investment, saying that Optimal Slope’s technology showcases how deep tech innovation can transform essential industries for a sustainable future. She also highlighted the importance of industrial supply chain resilience, which Digital Catapult continues to champion, and believes that Optimal Slope’s solution will strengthen the resilience of critical mineral supply chains.
Optimal Slope’s Slope Optimiser software is already being used by international mining companies, and the investment from Digital Catapult will allow the company to refine its product with real-world feedback and demonstrate the profitability and sustainability of mining operations. This investment marks another success for Digital Catapult, the UK’s leading advanced digital technology innovation center, which aims to accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge solutions and shape the products and services of the future.
About Optimal Slope:
Optimal Slope is a deep tech startup that has developed the Slope Optimiser, a software tool that optimizes the design of mine pit walls for maximum efficiency and reduced carbon footprint. The company’s solution automates the design process and has been proven to reduce waste rock by up to 25%, making it an essential tool for decarbonizing the mining industry.
About Digital Catapult:
Digital Catapult is the UK’s leading advanced digital technology innovation center, partnering with government, industry, and academia to accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge solutions. By breaking down barriers, de-risking innovation, and opening up new markets, Digital Catapult helps shape the products and services of the future.