Applications Invited for Ray of Hope Accelerator

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About the Organization

We are on a mission to help solve humanity’s biggest challenges through the adoption of biomimicry (nature-inspired innovation) in education, culture, and industry.

For eons, nature has solved its problems with well-adapted designs, life-friendly chemistry, and smart material and energy use. We exist to shine a light on nature’s genius, and bridge pressing design challenges with proven biological strategies for a better future.

Our initiatives across education, innovation, inspiration, and systems change have empowered thousands with the tools and training necessary to create a healthier world, and to improve their lives in the process. To amplify our impact, we unite a global network of educators, innovators, changemakers, scientists, and others passionate about solving environmental and social challenges through nature-inspired design.

Our work will not be complete until biomimicry is at the core of the human experience and the sustainable health of the planet is secure.

About the Grant

The Biomimicry Institute's Ray of Hope Accelerator is a 6-month program to accelerate the growth of nature-inspired startups to scale systemic solutions to the world's most pressing environmental challenges.

Every year, we support a cohort of ten high-impact nature-inspired startups, spanning Pre-Seed to Series A stages and representing various sectors and regions. Each selected startup receives $15,000 in non-dilutive funding and over $50,000 worth of in-kind services. This includes tailored coaching, investor introductions, a 4-day Nature Retreat, and comprehensive training materials covering topics such as Impact and Sustainability Business Training, Innovation Storytelling & Amplification, DEI, and Founder Mental Health.

We're not your typical accelerator. We prioritize your growth as an individual, startup founder, and visionary leader, we emphasize relationship-building and foster a vibrant global community of innovative startups inspired by nature to drive positive impact. With a proven track record of over 40 thriving companies in our portfolio, we're ready to support your entrepreneurial journey.

The Ray of Hope Accelerator's 6 month program starts September 9th, 2024 and concludes February, 2025.

Take a closer look into the program:

• Up to 10 startups from around the world will be selected to participate, representing a diversity of sectors.
• Each participating startup receives $15,000 in non-dilutive capital and $50,000 of in-kind services to support their entrepreneurial journey.
• 2 founding team members from each of the selected startups will join an in-person one week component. A meeting at New York Climate week followed by a 4-day nature-retreat, to build a community of trusted peers to support each other through the program and entrepreneurial journey.

Eligibility

At the Biomimicry Institute, we’re accelerating the growth of nature-inspired startups to scale systemic solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. To enter the program, you need to meet a certain number of requirements:

Nature-Inspired Solution & Technology: Nature-inspired solutions are a broad classification of innovation that encompasses a great number of technology categories. At our accelerator, a nature-inspired solution draws inspiration from the natural world, often adapting biological principles and properties, ecological relationships or other aspects of nature’s strategies to address humanity’s greatest environmental challenges.

Your Nature-Inspired Solutions may be…

• Grounded in deep scientific research – like Retein
• Evolved from an understanding of biological systems – like Mycocycle
• Enabling bio-inspired solutions – like Fusion Bionic

Development Stage: We support early-stage startups at the Pre-Seed, Seed and Series A stages. Most startups entering our program have a working prototype (i.e.: achieved a Technology Readiness Level of 4) and secured between $250,000 and $5M in funding (friends and family, grants, private investor, VC). There are exceptions, however, and we encourage you to apply as we will evaluate your fit within the program holistically.

Geography: As a global accelerator program, we welcome applicants from all over the world.

Legal Entity: Your startup must be established with a legal entity before entering the accelerator program and receiving the allocated non-dilutive funding. Historically startups we have supported have two or more full time team members.

Participation & In-Person Events: At least one founder/executive team member must actively engage with the accelerator by participating in the program, submitting deliverables and attending the mandatory in-person week in New York (including a 4 day Nature Retreat), see the dates in the timeline above.

How to Apply

Application Accepted: March 11th to May 3rd (Deadline: 11:59pm EST)

Internal & External Review: May - June, - Applications are screened for eligibility, reviewed by our internal team, and selected semi-finalists are assessed by an external selection committee. Semi-finalists undergo virtual interview with our internal team.

Mid- July: 10 startups are selected to join the Ray of Hope Accelerator 2024 cohort.

Click here to apply

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Entrepreneurship Environment and Sustainability Innovations and Technology Others