The Future of Fertilizer - Nitrogen: Part 2, with Jupiter Ionics and Kula Bio
Today we're tackling part two of our future of Nitrogen fertilizer discussion, focusing on the realm of business models and strategies. We chat with two companies exploring how we might reimagine the way farmers around the world buy and sell this critical input, including through distributed, rather than centralized, supply chains.
We’ll continue our conversation with Bill Brady, CEO and Director at Kula Bio, and Charlie Day, CEO at Jupiter Ionics*. We also add in some on the ground perspective around how farmers are handling the pressures of the fertilizer market right now by chatting with Jason McNeice, software specialist for the Asia Pacific region at Trimble Agriculture, and Darren Walford, APAC Sales Manager for Trimble Global Positioning.
In this episode, our guests speak about:
- A future of small scale production of N, and how farmers have reacted to potential changes away from today’s centralized model
- What benefits, especially in terms of Scope-3 emissions, might be realized by thinking differently about how and where fertilizer is made
- How new N companies are tackling the challenge of creating trustworthy brands and products in the face of the many false starts in the fertilizer space
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Trimble Agriculture, who are building technology to make farming better through precision.
Useful and Related Links:
- Future of Fertilizer - Nitrogen: Part 1, with Jupiter Ionics and Kula Bio
- Jupiter Ionics, and our investment notes
- Upstream Ag Insights - Kula Bio Closes $50m Series A to Develop Biofertilizer
- We’re fundraising for Tenacious Ventures Fund II, out loud To learn more about investing in Fund II, click here
*Disclaimer: Jupiter Ionics is a portfolio company of Tenacious Ventures
The information in this post is not investment advice or a recommendation to invest. It is general information only and does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision you should read the information memorandum and seek financial advice from a professional financial adviser. Whilst we believe Information is correct, no warranty of accuracy, reliability or completeness is given, except for liability under statue which cannot be excluded.
Key takeaways
- [00:07:00] Kula Bio's strategy for validating products with farmers.
- [00:18:55] The impact of decentralised infrastructure on the fertilizer industry.
- [00:25:45] Why agriculture is just the beginning for new fertilizer production companies
Tenacious Ventures Management Pty Ltd (CAR 001275760), Tenacious Ventures Management Partnership, LP (CAR 001298484), Tenacious Ventures Fund II Management Partnership, LP (CAR 001298483), and Tenacious Ventures Fund II Staple Co Pty Ltd (CAR 001298487) are Corporate Authorised Representatives of Sandford Capital Pty Ltd (ABN 82 600 590 887), Australian Financial Services Licence No 461981, and are authorised to provide advisory and dealing in connection with investments to wholesale clients only.