NZN raises $6.6M for biofertilizer solution delivering a ‘green discount’ for farmers

The joint European and US investor-led round was oversubscribed and will see NZN capitalise on ASEAN commercial traction as it looks to disrupt a $200B market

Munich, July 23, 2025: Net Zero Nitrogen (NZN), the company on a mission to end reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers (SNFs), has raised a $6.6 million Seed Round co-led by World Fund, Europe’s leading climate VC, and Azolla Ventures, a US climate tech VC investing in companies with the potential for gigaton-scale climate impact. The round brings NZN’s total funding to date to $8.3 million, including investment from existing backers Zero Carbon Capital, Revent and Kibo Invest, in addition to early support from the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. Ananke also joined as a new investor in NZN.

NZN was launched in 2022 by biologists Gary Devine (CSO), Alan Burbidge (Hd Corp Affairs) and former Red Arrows pilot-turned-entrepreneur Justin Hughes (CEO).The team is developing a novel biofertilizer (bioinoculant) that uses endophytic bacteria that ‘colonise’ the plant, delivering a wide range of benefits. Field trials show that a single application of the product can significantly reduce farmers' use of SNF, increase yields, and improve crop visual quality. 

Because NZN's product involves no genetic modification (GM), the company has an edge over competitors: it fully complies with EU regulations and has a clear global regulatory pathway.  It is easy to apply and does not require any new farm machinery, allowing farmers to cut costs while decarbonising processes – a “green discount”.  

An urgent problem to solve - and a massive market to tap

NZN is offering an urgently needed solution to an industry that is a bigger carbon emitter than aviation: traditional nitrogen-based synthetic fertilisers.

The widespread Haber-Bosch process was invented over a century ago, helping millions avoid famine by creating ammonia from fresh air. The process still feeds 50% of the world’s population, but it has a devastating climate impact. Production and use of SNF is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions today, accounting for 2% of total GHG emissions, and emitting 8 million metric tons of nitrous oxide (N₂O) – a greenhouse gas nearly 300 times more potent than CO2 – every year. SNFs have also left soil microbiomes in a dire state, made waterways toxic, and contributed to biodiversity loss. 

“The widespread Haber-Bosch process was invented over a century ago, helping millions avoid famine by creating ammonia from fresh air. The process still feeds 50% of the world’s population, but it has a devastating climate impact. Production and use of SNF is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions today, accounting for 2% of total GHG emissions (1.13giga tonnes CO₂e), and emitting nitrous oxide (N₂O) – a greenhouse gas nearly 300 times more potent than CO2 – every year. SNFs have also left soil microbiomes in a dire state, made waterways toxic, and contributed to biodiversity loss.”

‍NZN offers a cost-effective alternative, at the right time: McKinsey expects the fertilizer market to grow around 2.1%pa, and World Fund calculations suggest NZN delivers an 88% reduction in fertilizer production emissions compared to SNFs.  

‍“If the Haber Bosch process was invented today it would be banned, like alcohol or tobacco,” Hughes said. “With our product, there is no transmission loss and therefore no nitrate or nitrous oxide pollution. You're placing the fuel (bacteria) next to the engine (plant cells). The scale of this opportunity is enormous. We’re talking about an idea from a small lab in the UK transforming a $200BN global market.” 

NZN to take on ASEAN on back of proven market traction 

NZN is experiencing clear market traction, with multiple proof-of-concept trials conducted in several ASEAN countries and written expression of interest from a major Asian agri-input distributor. The company, which employs nine people, is now in product trials and plans to go to market in 2026. Fresh capital will be used to make key hires in ASEAN markets, pass certification, and finalise commercial offtake and biomanufacturing agreements.

Justin Hughes, NZN co-founder and CEO, said: “Most alternatives come with a green premium but this is effectively a green discount - we’re  greener and cheaper at the same time. The time is absolutely ripe for our product: the dependency on SNF is unsustainable. We’re taking on a challenge with global consequences, and I’m excited to have the fantastic teams at World Fund and Azolla supporting us along the way.”

Dr Nadine Geiser, Principal, World Fund, said: “Widespread use of urea, ammonium and nitrate-based fertilisers is one of the world’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and it is leaving soil microbiomes in a dire state across the world. NZN offers the ideal solution. This  exciting biotech company faces no regulatory barriers to immediate adoption, and it has a powerful founding team with the perfect combination of scientific and entrepreneurial expertise to succeed. Justin and Gary’s success to date is remarkable, and we are thrilled to be supporting the team as they scale globally.”  

Amy Duffuor, co-founder and General Partner at Azolla Ventures said: “We are proud to co-lead NZN’s round and support the company’s efforts to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer. NZN’s breakthrough technology stands apart from other solutions with the trifecta of deploying the right bacteria, on the right crop, at the right price. Beyond climate impact, NZN’s innovation holds transformative potential for smallholder farmers across ASEAN. By offering a cheaper product that boosts crop yields and reduces costly fertilizer inputs, the company could help lift farmer incomes and contribute to poverty reduction across the region.”

---

About NZN:

NZN is a UK-based agtech company pioneering a novel biofertilizer solution to reduce reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilisers (SNFs), one of the world’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Founded in 2022, NZN’s bioinoculant uses naturally occurring endophytic bacteria to colonise crops, cutting fertiliser use, boosting yields, and improving soil health — all without requiring genetic modification or new farm equipment. The company is targeting the $200 billion global fertiliser market with a sustainable, cost-effective alternative that offers farmers a "green discount": lower input costs with better environmental outcomes. Backed by leading climate investors including World Fund and Azolla Ventures, NZN is preparing to bring its breakthrough product to market across ASEAN in 2026.