Fertilizer International 528 Sep-Oct 2025
11 September 2025
IFA unveils Cultivate Challenge finalists!
FERTILIZER TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE
IFA unveils Cultivate Challenge finalists!
Global trade body the International Fertilizer Association (IFA) has announced the finalists of its first-ever competition to find the next generation of innovative companies. The aim is to identify start-ups that can help to half the energy intensity of ammonia production, double plant recovery of fertilizer-applied phosphorus and track nutrient use efficiency (NUE) along the food chain.
The lucky thirteen
The International Fertilizer Association (IFA) unveiled the finalists of its first-ever ‘Cultivate Challenge’ competition at the end of July. The final 13 start-up companies were selected from more than 100 applicants in more than 40 countries. They were announced during a live online session hosted by Alzbeta Klein, IFA CEO/ Director General, Patrick Heffer, Deputy Director General, and Jack Keeys, Innovation Hub Lead.
The thirteen finalists are:
• Capsber
• Ficosterra
• HydGene
• LiveGrow Bio
• Marvin
• MazaoHub
• NitroCapt
• NitroVolt
• Paul-Tech
• Peregrine
• Phospholutions
• PlasmaLeap
• Taxon.
The Cultivate Challenge competition, a key component of the newly-launched IFA Innovation Hub, showcases start-ups that are addressing critical challenges faced by the fertilizer sector and the wider agricultural and food system – notably the decarbonisation of ammonia production, a step change in the use efficiency of phosphate fertilizers, the accurate tracking of nutrient use efficiency (NUE), along with a wildcard category for ‘out of the box’ innovation.
Some 33 semi-finalists were evaluated, after rigorous pre-screening and due diligence conducted by SVG Ventures, EIT Food, and IFA specialists, with the top 13 then chosen for their groundbreaking approaches and scalable impacts.
IFA 2025 CULTIVATE CHALLENGE FINALISTS
Capsber
India-based Capsber produces microbial-based biofertilizers, biostimulants, and soil health products with a track-record of field trials and early market validation. Capsber are a great fit within the challenge’s phosphorus theme.
Ficosterra
Spanish startup Ficosterra utilises seaweed and microbial extracts to create biostimulants and biofertilizers, with growing market traction and a great foundation to further validate and scale with industry.
HydGene
Synthesising green hydrogen on site using engineered biocatalysts to convert biomass waste, Australian startup HydGene shows a clear business model that unlocks improvements in emissions, efficiency and economics.
LiveGrow Bio
American startup LiveGrow Bio has developed a microbial fermentation and formulation platform enabling cost effective manufacture of biostimulants and biopesticides. This platform is positioned as an enabling technology and delivers a strong and scalable product/solution fit.
Marvin
Offering a geospatial/AI platform for risk and compliance across land-based value chains, Brazil-based Marvin demonstrates a traceability capability which helps to meet the fertilizer industry’s nutrient tracking goals.
MazaoHub
Operating in Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda, MazaoHub has developed climate smart software which is supported by soil sensors and AI-based agronomy advice, and is already delivering in-field impact to smallholders with a scalable delivery model.
NitroCapt
Swedish startup NitroCapt has developed a method of plasma-based nitrate fertilizer production from air, water and renewable energy, creating a step-change in energy reduction with a great opportunity to develop and refine their offering.
NitroVolt
Danish start-up NitroVolt is focused on small-scale, low carbon ammonia synthesis on farm for nitrogen fertilizer, combining next generation technology with a unique place-based solution.
Paul-Tech
The real time soil nitrogen sensing and decision support system developed by Paul-Tech from Estonia has excellent commercial momentum and is already delivering positive results to customers/clients.
Peregrine
Peregrine, a US-based startup, co produces clean hydrogen and sulphuric acid by electrolysis for fertilizer inputs. It has demonstrated rapid progress, integration potential, and promising early results.
Phospholutions
Producer of RhizoSorb® , a patented phosphorus use efficiency enhancer, American startup Phospholutions has a well-established product tied closely to one of the challenge themes, and is poised for its next stage of growth.
PlasmaLeap
Australian startup PlasmaLeap delivers on farm green ammonia production using plasma technology powered by electricity, air, and water. PlasmaLeap was recognised for its high impact technology with significant early-stage traction and relationship-building.
Taxon
Focusing on microbial genomics and bio-input development for soil/plant health, Argentinian startup Taxon has combined biology and technology to amplify growth across industry bio input innovations.
Winning package
The winning start-ups will each receive:
• A year’s IFA membership: Including full access to IFA’s global network, events, data resources, and the Innovation Platform.
• Regional showcase opportunities: The invitation to present at events such as the Thrive Impact Summit in Silicon Valley, the World Agritech Innovation Summit in London, the IFA Crossroads Asia-Pacific Conference in Bangkok, and the IFA Strategic Forum in Rabat.
• Invitation to the grand final of the competition: This will take place at the IFA Cultivating Tomorrow Conference in 2026.
• Tailored business development programme: This will connect finalists with industry-leading organisations, venture capital specialists, and fertilizer experts – with the aim of to accelerating growth, developing knowledge and network-building.
• And much more: Including access to IFA’s wider ecosystem and alumni programme.
Industry sponsors
The competition benefited from the backing of 13 strategic partners:
• Platinum level: Arab Potash Company, Koch Agronomic Services, Maaden, Nutrien, OCP Nutricrops, SABIC Agri-Nutrients.
• Gold level: Coromandel International, Fauji Fertilizer Company, Haifa Group, ICL, Indorama Corporation, International Raw Materials, Pivot Bio.
“Our inaugural Cultivate Challenge demonstrates IFA’s commitment to innovation-driven plant nutrition solutions, to help feed the world more sustainably”, said Alzbeta Klein. “These 13 start-ups are working on cutting edge solutions with the potential to decarbonise fertilizer production, optimize nutrient use, and transform global food systems. I’m excited to see their progress during this first year of the Challenge.”
What next?
Through the remainder of this year and into next, the finalists will deepen their connection with the fertilizer industry and the wider value chain through upcoming regional showcase events. They will also participate in the competition’s grand final at the 2026 Cultivate Tomorrow event.
