Mattia Saccoccio (NitroVolt)
Overview
Mattia Saccoccio, also known under the pseudonym "NitroVolt," is an Italian engineer and entrepreneur renowned for his work in sustainable technologies, particularly in the field of green ammonia production. As of 2024, he serves as the Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of NitroVolt, a startup aimed at revolutionizing ammonia production through environmentally friendly means. His education spans prestigious institutions in various regions, and his professional journey includes significant innovations aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of industrial processes.
Recent Developments
In the past two years, Mattia Saccoccio has made noteworthy strides in advancing green ammonia technology through his company, NitroVolt. Key developments include:
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March 2024: NitroVolt secured a €750,000 pre-seed funding round spearheaded by venture capital firm BackingMinds, aimed at scaling up their innovative Nitrolyzer unit for ammonia production. This investment marks a crucial step in moving their lab-based technology towards practical farm-based applications.
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August 2024: The company received an additional €3.5 million in seed funding. This funding round was a collaborative effort including contributions from the EIFO, EQT Foundation, and other climate tech-focused investors. The aim is to facilitate the building of on-site demonstration units that produce ammonia from air, water, and clean electricity.
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September 2023: Saccoccio, alongside Suzanne Zamany Andersen, officially spun out NitroVolt from research activities at the Technical University of Denmark, aiming to deploy their technology directly on farms and reduce dependencies on global ammonia supply chains.
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July 2023: NitroVolt joined the Breakthrough Energy Innovator Fellows program, which supports early-stage climate tech innovators. The program provides not only financial backing but also mentorship and business advisory services, helping NitroVolt transition their ammonia synthesis technology from a lab to a functional prototype.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mattia Saccoccio |
| Born | Milan, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation | CTO at NitroVolt |
| Known For | Green Ammonia Production Innovation |
| Net Worth | Not Publicly Disclosed |
| Education | BSc and MSc in Energy Engineering |
| Polytechnic University of Milan | |
| PhD, Mechanical Engineering, HKUST |
Early Life and Education
Mattia Saccoccio was born and raised in Milan, Italy. His early inclination towards sciences was nurtured through a robust educational journey that saw him attending some of the premier engineering institutions in Europe and Asia. He began his academic career at the Polytechnic University of Milan, where he received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in energy engineering. During his formative years, Saccoccio was heavily influenced by the technological and scientific environment of Italy, which shaped his interest in sustainable energy technologies.
His academic pursuit took him to the Technical University of Munich, where he expanded his expertise in energy and process engineering. This was followed by achieving a PhD in mechanical engineering from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where he focused on advanced energy conversion processes.
Career and Notable Achievements
Mattia Saccoccio's career is marked by significant contributions to energy systems, particularly in the sustainable ammonia production sphere:
- 2017: Joined several early-stage research and development projects focusing on ammonia synthesis and catalysis.
- 2019: Took part in the DTU’s research project focused on electrochemical ammonia synthesis, leading efforts in scaling this technology.
- 2023: Along with Suzanne Zamany Andersen, co-founded NitroVolt to commercialize green ammonia technology.
- 2024: Successfully led NitroVolt in securing significant funding to transition their green ammonia technology from academia to commercial farms.
Current Work and Impact
Currently, Mattia Saccoccio leads engineering and technological advancements at NitroVolt. His work focuses on scaling sustainable ammonia production technology, which promises to transform agriculture by enabling decentralized, carbon-free fertilizer production at the farm level. This technological innovation not only aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels but also addresses wider environmental challenges, such as reducing carbon emissions globally.
Conclusion
Mattia Saccoccio stands as a pivotal figure in the renewable energy sector, particularly for his role in advancing green ammonia production. As COO of NitroVolt, his work is crucial in paving the way for sustainable agriculture solutions that align with global carbon reduction goals. His contributions have potential long-lasting impacts on food security, supply chain sustainability, and broader environmental health. Going forward, Saccoccio’s efforts to democratize fertilizer production with locally based, carbon-free solutions could herald a new era of sustainable agriculture.