The Calls for innovative ecopreneurial solutions submission: UpLink Innovation Ecosystem Biodiversity Challenge
The UpLink Ecosystem Biodiversity challenge calls for innovative ecopreneurial solutions that promote the conservation, protection, and restoration of biodiversity, while enabling the maintenance of services that are crucial for the health of terrestrial ecosystems.
The focus areas of this challenge include:
- Biodiversity monitoring and measurement
- Incentivizing demand and innovative financing for biodiversity
- Strengthening local value chains
Selection criteria
Environmental impact: Solution tackles drivers of biodiversity loss, such as habitat degradation, species extinction and climate change, ultimately helping strengthen efforts to conserve, protect and restore biodiversity. Must have a robust M&E framework to measure impact in place.
Socio-economic impact: Extent to which local communities are engaged, and opportunities for empowerment such as increased income, employment, and education are realized, with a robust M&E framework to measure impact.
Innovative potential: Solution addresses important market gaps, exhibits novelty, has undergone market testing and promises commercial viability, while showing potential for/is currently operating at scale.
Governance and operating model: Solution has an equitable revenue-sharing model, inclusive and transparent decision-making processes, and well-defined land tenure relationships.
Business model: For-profit start-ups or social enterprises that are already generating revenue and have a sustainable funding model. Not-for-profit organizations with a clearly defined, revenue-generating project may be considered.
Stage: Beyond the ideation phase and demonstrating the potential to scale or replicate and achieve long-term financial viability, impact, and sustainability. Selected Top Innovators have typically reached the pilot to growth/scale phase of their operations.
Management team: Committed, diverse and values driven management team with demonstrated execution capabilities.
Geographic scope: Submissions from across the globe that are scalable in their local contexts and potentially replicable in different parts of the world.
Benefits for selected Top Innovators
Between 10-20 submissions will be selected as winners, recognized as Top Innovators, and become part of the UpLink Innovation Ecosystem, a curated programme designed for Founders, CEOs, Executive Directors, etc., which provides:
Access: Opportunity to participate in select World Economic Forum and partner-led events, projects, and communities.
Visibility: Global exposure via the Forum’s and UpLink’s digital media channels.
Connections: Strategic introductions to select organizations in the Forum’s and UpLink’s networks.
Targeted support: Including programming and support on technical, business, and operational matters.
Challenge timeline
- 22 March 2024: Challenge launch
- 22 March - 22 April 2024: Open for submissions
- 1 May - 6 June 2024: Review and selection process
- 16 July 2024: Announcement of the winning Top Innovators .
Do you have an innovative solution to protect, conserve, and restore biodiversity? Submit your innovation on UpLink for the chance to accelerate your business.
Application deadline: 22. April 2024. Submit your solution here: https://wef.ch/3wNQngT