Climate Tech Startup Nitricity Secures $50m to Scale its Organic Fertilizer Technology
California-based climate tech startup Nitricity has raised $50 million in Series B funding to expand its pioneering organic fertilizer technology across the U.S. and into Europe, positioning itself as a disruptive force in an industry long reliant on carbon-intensive synthetic fertilizers.
The funding round was co-led by World Fund, Europe’s climate-focused venture capital firm, and returning investor Khosla Ventures. Other participants included Chipotle’s Cultivate Next venture fund, Change Forces, Susquehanna Sustainable Investments, Energy Impact Partners, and Fine Structure Ventures, part of Fidelity Investments’ parent group.
Founded in 2018 by a group of Stanford graduate students, Nitricity has developed a process that converts agricultural waste, air, and water into a liquid organic nitrogen fertilizer using renewable electricity. Its flagship product, branded Ash Tea, is derived primarily from recycled almond shells.
Unlike conventional nitrogen fertilizers, which are produced using the Haber-Bosch process and are responsible for roughly 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Nitricity’s product is organic, animal-free, pathogen-free, and cost-competitive. Field trials suggest Ash Tea can increase yields by up to 30% while improving early plant growth.
Importantly for farmers, the liquid formula flows seamlessly through irrigation systems, reducing clogging and lowering maintenance costs. The product also delivers nitrogen more efficiently, enabling farmers to use less fertilizer while reducing input costs.
Nitricity’s technology arrives at a moment when global agriculture is seeking alternatives to synthetic fertilizers that degrade soil health and pollute waterways. The global fertilizer market is worth around $150 billion and is expected to grow at just over 2% annually, according to McKinsey. Nitricity estimates the liquid organic nitrogen segment alone could surpass $11 billion.
The company’s pipeline reflects that demand: it reports over $150 million in sales commitments and has already outstripped current production capacity at its Fremont, California pilot plant, which produces 80 tons of fertilizer annually – enough to cover roughly 80 acres of farmland.
With its fresh funding, Nitricity plans to expand production in the Western United States, targeting high-value fruit and nut markets, while simultaneously establishing a presence in Europe. The company intends to source local agricultural by-products such as wood and olive oil waste for its European operations, aligning with EU goals for circular agriculture and sustainability.
Nicolas Pinkowski, CEO and Co-founder, Nitricity: ”This is an inflection point for Nitricity. We’re scaling across the U.S. and excited to enter Europe in a serious way. The European market for organic fertilizer is even larger than in the U.S., and demand is only accelerating as governments look to strengthen food resilience and circular agriculture.”
Nadine Geiser, Principal, World Fund: ”The Haber-Bosch process wastes 60–70% of nitrogen applied to crops and drives significant emissions. Nitricity’s solution offers a more than 90% reduction in emissions on average. With demand for sustainable alternatives rising, the company is well-positioned to transform agriculture.”
As Nitricity prepares to break ground in Delhi, California, the company is moving from pilot scale to industrial scale, with plans to create more than 20 jobs in Merced County. By combining agricultural waste streams with renewable power, the company positions itself at the intersection of climate innovation, food security, and regenerative farming.
If successful, Nitricity could reshape how fertilizers are produced and applied – cutting emissions, improving soil health, and providing farmers with an affordable and sustainable tool for boosting yields.
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