Nitricity raises $50M to scale organic fertilizer production in California made from almond waste

Nitricity, a US-based climate technology company developing organic nitrogen fertilizers, has secured $50 million in Series B financing to accelerate its global expansion. The round, announced September 10, was co-led by World Fund, Europe’s largest climate-focused venture capital firm, and Khosla Ventures, with participation from Chipotle’s Cultivate Next fund and other investors.

The funding comes ahead of the groundbreaking of Nitricity’s first large-scale organic fertilizer plant in Delhi, California. Scheduled to begin operations in 2026, the facility will increase the company’s production capacity one hundredfold and has already sold out its output through 2028 under long-term supply agreements with organic growers.

Nitricity produces “Ash Tea,” a liquid nitrogen fertilizer made from almond shells, air, water and renewable energy. Unlike conventional synthetic fertilizers produced via the Haber-Bosch process, the company’s product is fully organic, animal-free and pathogen-free. Field trials have shown yield increases of up to 30% and improved early plant growth, according to the company.

Founded in 2018 by three Stanford graduates – Nicolas Pinkowski (CEO), Joshua McEnaney (CTO) and Jay Schwalbe (CSO) – Nitricity operates a pilot facility in Fremont, California, producing 80 tons of fertilizer annually. The company says demand for its product outpaces current capacity, with a sales pipeline exceeding $150 million.

The new capital will be used to expand production in the western United States, hire more than 10 staff to add to its 38-person workforce, and fund research and development. The company is also preparing for expansion into Europe, where it plans to adapt its process to local agricultural waste streams, such as olive oil byproducts and wood residues.

“This is an inflection point for Nitricity,” said CEO Pinkowski. “We’re scaling across the US and very excited to expand into Europe in a serious and assertive way. Demand is only growing, and we offer an exceptional organic, circular solution for the market.”

World Fund said its backing reflects the potential of Nitricity’s technology to cut greenhouse gas emissions. “Our calculations show Nitricity’s sustainable alternative provides up to a 92% reduction in emissions compared with conventional fertilizers,” noted Nadine Geiser, principal at the fund.

Conventional nitrogen fertilizers account for roughly 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Their production and use have also been linked to soil degradation, water pollution and biodiversity loss. Nitricity aims to provide an alternative that reduces environmental harm while remaining cost-competitive for farmers.

Investors in the Series B also include Change Forces, Susquehanna Sustainable Investments, EIP and Fine Structure Ventures. The Delhi plant is supported by Elemental Impact and Trellis Climate and is expected to create more than 20 jobs in Merced County, California.