Nottingham-Based NZN Secures €5.6 Million In Pre-Seed Round

The funding will support hiring in ASEAN markets, achieving certifications, and finalising key commercial and manufacturing deals.

The round was co-led by World Fund (Europe’s top climate VC) and Azolla Ventures (a US-based ClimateTech VC focused on high-impact solutions). With this raise, NZN’s total funding now stands at €7 million. Other participants include Zero Carbon Capital, Revent, Kibo Invest, Innovate UK, and new investor Ananke.

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.”

Field trials show that just one application of NZN’s product can cut down farmers’ use of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, boost crop yields, and enhance crop appearance.

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Since the product is non-GMO, it meets EU standards and faces fewer global regulatory hurdles. It’s also simple to apply and works with existing farm equipment, helping farmers lower costs while reducing their carbon footprint — a win-win “green discount.”

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 GHG, 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.”

NZN is tackling a major climate problem: traditional synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, which emit more carbon than the aviation industry.

The Haber-Bosch process, developed over 100 years ago, made large-scale food production possible—but it comes at a cost. Today, it still feeds half the world’s population but produces 2% of all global greenhouse gas emissions, including 8 million tons of nitrous oxide (N₂O) each year—a gas nearly 300 times more harmful than CO₂.

These fertilisers have also harmed soil health, polluted waterways, and hurt biodiversity.

NZN offers a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative. With the fertiliser market projected to grow 2.1% annually, NZN’s solution cuts fertiliser production emissions by up to 88%, according to World Fund estimates.

“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, currently a team of nine, is testing its product and aims to launch commercially in 2026.

The new funding will help the company hire talent in ASEAN markets, complete certifications, and secure production and commercial deals.

Amy Duffuor, Co-founder and General Partner at Azolla Ventures added: “We are proud to co-lead NZN’s round and support the company’s efforts to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from fertiliser. 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 fertiliser inputs the company could help lift farmer incomes and contribute to poverty reduction across the region.”

About NetZeroNitrogen

Founded in 2022, NetZeroNitrogen (NZN) was started by biologists Gary Devine (CSO), Alan Burbidge (Head of Corporate Affairs), and former Red Arrows pilot turned entrepreneur Justin Hughes (CEO). They’re building a next-gen biofertilizer that uses endophytic bacteria to naturally support plant growth and health.