At Innovate 4 Nature, our mission is to accelerate the transition to a regenerative economy by supporting nature-positive solutions. Our main tool for achieving this is the annual I4N Award. To ensure we support the most impactful solution providers, we assess the potential of each solution to positively affect nature and biodiversity – and to transform economic systems. This process follows a three-step evaluation, beginning with Round 1: the nature impact assessment.
In this initial round, we focus on evaluating the projected biodiversity impact of the solution over the next five years, alongside key business fundamentals.
Biodiversity & Nature criteria
The first component of our assessment examines the solution’s potential impact on biodiversity and nature.
We evaluate this across five key criteria, with the goal of identifying solutions that can meaningfully contribute to a nature-positive transformation of our global economy. These criteria also help us understand how the solution addresses key drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
This criterion evaluates the applicant’s ability to clearly articulate how their solution generates positive impacts for nature.
We want to understand the envisioned change: how will the applicant’s sector evolve if the solution is implemented, versus if it is not? A strong theory of change should provide a compelling, evidence-based narrative of environmental impact.
The Transformation criterion determines the solution’s potential to transform economic or social systems toward nature-positive outcomes. For instance, does the solution have the power to shift consumption patterns or reshape industry norms towards nature-positive outcomes – similar to how Tesla disrupted the automotive sector or how Oatly influenced dairy consumption?
These three interconnected criteria are evaluated collectively based on the full range of information applicants provide.
By ‘Condition change’ we understand the potential size of the positive ecosystem condition change. It is about assessing the scale of ecosystem improvements likely to result from the solution. Typical questions we ask are:
This helps us estimate which ecosystems are affected and how. For example, a switch from beef to soy protein might reduce pasture land use but increase demand for arable land, leading to different ecological trade-offs.
’Extent’ concerns making the solution’s impact more measurable. It is about the potential size of area positively affected by the solution.
We ask applicants to indicate where they are active and to describe relevant non-financial metrics. This helps us assess the real-world impact of a solution, particularly when it substitutes an existing product. For example, if soy protein replaces beef protein, both require land to produce—but the type, quantity, and ecological implications of that land use may differ significantly.
‘Significance’ considers the relative importance of the solution’s impacted area for biodiversity, i.e. if the solution is focused on areas with high significance for biodiversity or nearby them. Is the solution targeting biodiversity hotspots or critical ecosystems? Applicants are encouraged to list specific regions where their operations are concentrated.
Business criteria
While our primary focus in Round 1 is the impact on nature, we also conduct an initial assessment of each solution’s business fundamentals. This helps us ensure that the selected solutions have the potential to scale and sustain their impact.
We examine how well the solution addresses a clearly defined problem, taking into account innovation and relevance. This criterion helps us understand both the issue being tackled and the product or service offered in response.
Here, we look at the potential for long-term sustainability. Can the solution support itself financially and grow over time? Applicants are asked to describe their basic revenue model.
The third business criterion assesses the project’s stage in its lifecycle and alignment with the current funding stage. What challenges is the project facing, and what barriers are holding back its impact or scale?
Finally, we want to learn about the people behind the solution—their expertise, background, and capacity to drive meaningful change.
Based on the Round 1 assessment, up to 150 solutions advance to Round 2. In the next stage, we validate the assumptions made in Round 1, explore both the positive and negative aspects of each business model, and take a deeper look into key activities. We also collect financial and funding data to better quantify impact pathways and support the jury’s evaluation.
If you have any questions or feedback, please reach out to us at award@i4n.ch.
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