MISSOULA, MT, September 18, 2024 – The Biomimicry Institute, a not-for-profit organization focused on realizing a nature-positive, inclusive and regenerative world inspired and guided by nature’s genius, today announced the 10 startups selected to participate in the transformational Ray of Hope Accelerator. The six-month accelerator is designed to propel nature-inspired startups towards commercialization through robust training, networking, $15,000 in non-dilutive funding and over $50,000 of in-kind services.
“This year we have an incredibly diverse group of startups that reflect the Biomimicry Institute’s new disruptive and global strategy. The impact that their nature-inspired technologies can have on Climate Change and Biodiversity loss across key industry sectors, is enormous,” said Amanda Sturgeon, CEO at the Biomimicry Institute.
The 2024 cohort of the Ray of Hope accelerator are pioneering inspiring solutions through their use of biomimicry (also referred to as nature-inspired or bioinspired design). Ideas presented include developing cutting edge energy storage solutions that mimic enzymes to a platform technology inspired by the versatility of mucus, amongst others. Selected from hundreds of impressive submissions from startups around the world, the Biomimicry Institute is proud to announce the top 10 startups selected to participate in this transformational program.
Selected startups will begin the six-month accelerator program in September with a networking reception during New York Climate Week, followed by an in-person nature retreat focused on community building, leadership and reconnection. Throughout the Ray of Hope accelerator program, the Biomimicry Institute will provide each startup with in-depth support, access to their deep network of corporate and investment leaders and training to accelerate the market deployment of participants’ nature-inspired solutions.
“As a Foundation, it was a privilege to have been a part of this year’s external selection committee for the Ray of Hope Accelerator. The quality of applications is testament to the growth of the programme, and also the scale at which nature-inspired changemakers are coming up with new and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. We wish to welcome and congratulate this new cohort of changemakers, and look forward to seeing their growth throughout the year,” Wayne Bruce, Chief Communications and DEI Officer at Bentley Motors, and responsible for the Bentley Environmental Foundation.
The Ray of Hope program is entering its fifth year with an updated, more robust format courtesy of a new partnership with the Bentley Environmental Foundation, in addition to the support of its keystone partner the Ray C. Anderson Foundation and corporate innovation partner L’Oréal. The program has successfully supported 39 companies so far, with past participants having secured additional funding, greater awareness of their work through media, paid proof-of-concept pilot contracts with major corporations, and increased sales as a result of the program’s extensive network. Previous cohorts comprised companies from 15 different countries, were 40% female founders, and included award-winning startups like Anodyne Chemistries (Canada, 2023) Sparxell (UK, 2023) GreenPod Labs (India, 2022), Spintex Engineering (UK, 2021), ECOncrete Tech (Israel, 2020.)
