Addis Energy has raised $8.3 million in an oversubscribed seed round. Total funding now stands at $17.3 million. The round was led by At One Ventures. Existing investors Engine Ventures and Pillar VC also participated.
The company will use the funds to develop its AI-powered reactors, which simulate underground conditions to produce ammonia. This process is net energy-positive and costs less than traditional methods.
Ammonia is vital for global agriculture; about 70% is used for fertilizer. But demand is expected to grow by 25% in five years. Traditional ammonia production is energy intensive; about 2% of global energy, and relies heavily on natural gas.
Addis Energy is changing this. It uses underground ferrous rocks, water, nitrogen, and catalysts. The Earth’s natural heat and pressure drive ammonia synthesis underground, reducing energy use and costs.
“By merging MIT-developed chemistry with oil and gas experience, Addis Energy enables affordable, zero-emission production,” said Michael Alexander. The U.S. imports about 12% of its ammonia. Addis Energy aims to create a domestic, clean supply.
Since launching in January 2025, Addis has partnered with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. They are doing reactive transport modeling and chemical simulations.
The company has collected over 600 rock samples across the U.S. to test cost-effective ammonia production. It has hired three new employees, including advisors from the U.S. Department of Energy.
“Addis Energy isn’t just making ammonia greener. They’re transforming how it’s produced entirely,” said Laurie Menoud. Instead of recreating extreme conditions above ground, they use underground Earth as the reactor.
In the next few months, Addis will finish geological mapping. It will also prepare for its first pilot test. The goal is to revolutionize bioenergy and ammonia production with sustainable underground technology.
