DONATE
Search

Innovate 4 Nature Announces 2025 Award Winners at the World Economic Forum in Davos

  • Innovate 4 Nature has announced its four I4N Award 2025 winners across the four focus areas sustainable management of ecosystems, regenerative food systems, nature as infrastructure and planet-compatible cities, and circular, nature-positive solutions.
  • Additional recognitions include the Wyss Academy for Nature Grant recipient and two Honorary Mentions.
  • The I4N award ceremony was held during the Nature Lunch at the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos with more than 120 leaders from business, finance, philanthropy, science, and civil society.
From left to right: Estelle Clerc (CellX Biosolutions), Viraj Sikand (EarthAcre), Pepijn Looije (Courageous Land), Kristy Deiner (SimplexDNA), My Hoang (AirX Carbon), Kieran Dartée (FieldFactors).

Davos, Switzerland, 23 January 2026 – Innovate 4 Nature (I4N) announced the four winners of the I4N Award 2025 during the Nature Lunch at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 in Davos on 22 January. The awards recognise outstanding nature-positive solutions across I4N’s four focus areas, following a rigorous selection process throughout 2025.

Such nature-positive innovation is urgently needed to transition the global economy towards a regenerative future. With more than half of global GDP moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services, valuing and protecting nature is not only essential for risk mitigation but also a driver of long-term economic stability and prosperity.

The I4N Award winners exemplify how nature-positive solutions can generate value for both business and the planet, turning innovative ideas into tangible, scalable impact.

I4N Award 2025 Winners

The four winners of the I4N Award 2025 are:

  • Regenerative food systems:
    Courageous Land – focusing on large-scale reforestation and conservation through agroforestry
  • Circular nature-positive solutions:
    AirX Carbon – with its NetZero Pallet, replacing fossil-based materials with carbon-negative alternatives for a more sustainable supply chain
  • Sustainable management of ecosystems:
    SimplexDNA – building the only quality-checked, open-access eDNA web portal
  • Nature as infrastructure and planet-compatible cities:
    FieldFactors – turning rain into a local resource with their circular water system, BlueBloqs

“The 2025 winners demonstrate how nature-positive innovation can translate into scalable and impactful solutions across sectors – from food systems and materials to biodiversity and the built environment. Announcing the winners at the World Economic Forum underscores the increasing relevance of nature in shaping resilient economies.”

Barbara Dubach, Executive Director of Innovate 4 Nature

Each winner receives a cash prize of CHF 25,000, access to the I4N ecosystem, including corporates, investors and experts, tailored training and mentorship opportunities as well as increased visibility through I4N channels and exclusive events, starting with the Nature Lunch at this year’s WEF in Davos.

Additional Recognitions

In addition to the four award winners, Innovate 4 Nature announced further recognitions:

  • Wyss Academy for Nature Grant Recipient:
    EarthAcre, selected for its strong alignment with the topic ‘nature-positive value chains for regenerative economies’ as focused on and supported by the Wyss Academy for Nature
  • Honorary Mentions:
    CellX BioSolutions and Satellites on Fire, recognised for their advanced solutions, demonstrated impact, and leadership in the nature-positive space

These recognitions highlight ventures that contribute meaningfully to a regenerative economy through complementary approaches or more advanced stages of development.

Prof. Dr. Peter Messerli

“The Wyss Academy for Nature is proud to sponsor a CHF 15,000 grant on nature-positive value chains for regenerative local economies. This grant supports early-stage solutions that strengthen ecosystems, promote regenerative livelihoods, and create scalable, locally embedded economic opportunities through benefit sharing. We congratulate EarthAcre, whose innovative approach quantifies nature outcomes and enables direct cash payments to individual landowners – an approach that aligns very well with our mission.”

Dr. Peter Messerli, Director of the Wyss Academy for Nature

From Global Innovation to Global Stage

The I4N Award 2025 finalists were selected from more than 400 international applicants. Collectively, they represent a broad spectrum of nature-positive innovation, including regenerative food systems, circular materials, carbon solutions, biodiversity data, pollution prevention, water systems, and nature-based infrastructure.

By convening innovators, investors, corporates, foundations, and policymakers, the I4N Award aims to accelerate collaboration and unlock the partnerships and capital needed to scale these impactful solutions.

READ MORE NEWS