Mineflow

What do they actually do

Mineflow is a web platform that turns a miner or explorer’s project files into usable subsurface models and predictions. It ingests mixed file types from shared folders or uploads, automatically extracts geological data (e.g., drill collars and logs), links related records, and lets users visualize drillholes in 3D and cross‑sections. From the same view, users can run 2D/3D prediction models using standard estimators (IDW, kriging, RBF) or machine‑learning options, and see results as prospectivity maps, section predictions, or 3D volumes (docs, prediction models, generating predictions, onboarding).

Outputs can be exported to common GIS/geology formats (e.g., shapefiles, KMZ, GeoTIFF) and into industry modeling tools. Pricing today includes a Free tier (visualization, 50 GB), a Plus tier at $125/month with more storage and built‑in estimators, and a Pro/enterprise tier with custom deep‑learning models, 1 TB storage, and priority support (pricing). Mineflow says it’s used by small teams through large operations and cites an example reducing grade‑control error at a North American mine (docs, YC page).

Current limits: some data types and integrations (e.g., geochemistry and airborne survey workflows, certain exports) are marked as “coming soon,” and projects over ~500 GB require coordination with the team (docs, onboarding).

Who are their target customer(s)

• Independent geologists and small exploration teams: They need to quickly convert messy PDFs, spreadsheets, and maps into usable 3D views and maps to plan drilling, but currently spend days cleaning data and building models manually (onboarding, pricing).
• Junior or solo geologists at early‑stage explorers: They struggle to produce consistent cross‑sections and prospectivity maps from mixed formats; Mineflow’s automatic extraction and 3D drillhole rendering reduces the manual joining of scattered records (docs, onboarding).
• Grade‑control and short‑cycle drilling teams at operating mines: They need rapid near‑mine models to reduce grade‑control errors and avoid ore loss or rework; Mineflow pitches faster predictions and cites an example improvement at a North American site (docs, YC page).
• Data managers and IT at mid‑size/corporate explorers: Project data is scattered across drives and formats; they want reliable ingestion, connectors, and clean export paths into existing tools. Mineflow’s automated ingestion and planned integrations target this bottleneck (onboarding, pricing/exports).
• Consulting geoscientists and technical leads needing higher‑precision models: Standard estimators can miss complex deposits; they want custom models and support to improve prediction accuracy. Mineflow offers bespoke deep‑learning models under its Pro/enterprise tier (prediction models, pricing).

How would they acquire their first 10, 50, and 100 customers

• First 10: Founder‑led pilots with independent geologists and small teams: personally ingest a project, build initial 3D views and one prediction, then train users to show time saved and produce case studies/testimonials (onboarding, prediction models).
• First 50: Scale through webinars, short how‑to videos, and partnerships with consulting geoscientists and drilling contractors; offer a fixed‑scope pilot (ingestion + one prediction + export) tied to Plus/Pro features and use case studies for targeted outreach (pricing, docs).
• First 100: Hire a sales engineer to run paid pilots for mid‑size explorers and grade‑control teams (including custom models and integrations), converting pilots into annual deals via measured drill‑cost or grade‑control gains; invest in connectors/self‑serve onboarding and 1–2 channel partnerships for scaled referrals (pricing, docs, YC page).

What is the rough total addressable market

Top-down context:

Global non‑ferrous exploration budgets are ~US$12.4B; if 5–15% is addressable by software/analytics that replace manual modeling and consulting, that implies roughly US$620M–US$1.86B/year (S&P Global).

Bottom-up calculation:

S&P reports ~2,166 active explorers; if each only buys Mineflow’s Plus plan (~$1,500/yr), that’s ≈$3.25M/year in aggregate, a conservative baseline (S&P Global, pricing).

Assumptions:

• 5–15% of exploration budgets could shift to software/analytics that replace manual data wrangling and some consulting.
• All listed explorers are reachable and have workflows compatible with Mineflow’s current feature set.
• Enterprise deals at operating mines/consultancies expand ARPU materially beyond the Plus tier.

Who are some of their notable competitors

• Seequent Leapfrog Geo: Widely used 3D geological modeling suite for exploration through mine operations, including drillhole visualization and implicit modeling; integrates with Seequent’s broader ecosystem (Seequent).
• Datamine Studio RM: Geology and resource modeling software used for geological modeling, geostatistics, and grade control in production environments (Datamine, Studio RM docs).
• Micromine Origin: Exploration and geological modeling/resource estimation platform within Micromine’s suite; paired with Geobank for data management (Micromine Origin, Geobank).
• acQuire GIM Suite: Enterprise geological data management platform used by large miners to capture, manage, and deliver exploration and geology data across desktop, web, and mobile (acQuire).
• Mira Geoscience GOCAD Mining Suite: 3D geological modeling and geoscience integration tools for exploration and geotechnical workflows, part of Mira’s software and consulting offerings (Mira Geoscience).