Texas Innovates' Inaugural Cohort companies NitroFix and 1s1 Energy Awarded BIRD Energy Grant to Advance Next-Generation Green Ammonia Technology

HOUSTON, TEL AVIV, Israel and PORTOLA VALLEY, Calif., June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NitroFix, an Israeli climate tech startup pioneering decentralized green ammonia production, and 1s1 Energy, a California-based developer of advanced electrochemical systems, have been awarded a Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Energy grant to jointly develop an innovative green ammonia generator. The collaboration aims to accelerate the transition to low-carbon fuels by combining NitroFix's breakthrough ammonia production technology with 1s1 Energy's unique membrane materials and electrochemical stack design.

The two companies first connected through the CHILI (Carbon and Hydrogen Innovation and Learning Incubator), a program by Texas Innovates. Texas Innovates is a regional USGC 501c3 non-profit committed to education and collaboration support of early-stage energy transition companies. CHILI supports early-stage climate tech companies in CO2 and H2, bridging between the innovation ecosystems. The partnership between our cohort reflects a shared commitment to driving impact through science-based innovation and cross-border collaboration.

"The CHILI program was a fantastic experience for our team. It helped us crystallize our go-to-market strategy, explore powerful synergies with fellow clean-tech pioneers, and gain excellent insights from elite investors and corporates shaping the future of energy. Insightful perspectives, real connections - that's CHILI," Daniel Sobek, CEO at 1s1 Energy.

"Being part of the CHILI program has been an inspiring journey. I've had the chance to connect with amazing peers, gain fresh insights, and learn so much. A huge thank you to the incredible CHILI team, especially Alex Rozenfeld, for creating such a supportive and enriching experience. Programs like CHILI are essential for driving real change — by empowering entrepreneurs and supporting green solutions, they help build a more sustainable and hopeful future," Ophira Melamed, CEO of Nitrofix.

The grant, jointly funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Israel Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, supports strategic partnerships that address critical energy challenges with high-impact technologies. The NitroFix–1s1 Energy project targets the development of a modular, scalable ammonia generator that can operate on water, air, and renewable electricity—offering a zero-emission alternative to fossil-derived ammonia.

"We are proud to partner with 1s1 Energy to push the boundaries of clean ammonia innovation," said Dr. Ophira Melamed, CEO of NitroFix. "This collaboration allows us to combine our core electrochemical expertise with 1s1 Energy's advanced membrane materials to accelerate commercialization and offer a truly decentralized solution for agriculture, energy storage, and maritime fuel applications."

"Partnering with NitroFix gives us a unique opportunity to apply our membrane and stack technology to a critical energy application," said Dr. Dan Sobek, CEO of 1s1 Energy. 

The green ammonia market is projected to exceed $100 billion by 2030, driven by global decarbonization efforts across fertilizer, fuel, and energy storage sectors. The technology developed through this project could enable more cost-effective, flexible, and resilient ammonia supply chains, reducing dependence on centralized production and fossil fuels.

For more information on the BIRD Energy program and this year's approved projects, visit: https://www.birdf.com/bird-energy-approved-projects

For more information on the CHILI and Texas Innovates visit https://texasinnovates.org/

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SOURCE Texas Innovates