The I4N Award 2025

ABOUT THE I4N AWARD

The annual I4N Award is our key driver for identifying and accelerating nature-positive solutions in collaboration with partners to contribute to the restoration and regeneration of nature by 2030.

Its purpose is to recognise and spotlight high-quality solutions, promote a vibrant ecosystem and inspire transformative thinking towards a regenerative economy.

The prize

The I4N Award offers both financial and non-financial benefits worth CHF 150,000 in total, with the aim to accelerate nature-positive solutions:

• Four cash prizes of CHF 25,000 each across four focus areas and a special grant of CHF 15,000
• Access to the I4N ecosystem, including corporates, investors and experts
• Tailored training and mentorship opportunities
• Increased visibility through I4N channels and exclusive events

Four focus areas

Innovate 4 Nature accelerates nature-positive solutions across four focus areas, which are related to the most significant socio-economic systems in view of biodiversity loss:

• Sustainable Management of Ecosystems
• Nature as Infrastructure and Planet-Compatible Cities
• Regenerative Food Systems
• Circular Nature-Positive Solutions

Who can apply

The application criteria are as follows:

• ​Business Model: your solution needs to have a source of income that is not fully relying on donations.
• Scalability or Replicability: your solution needs to be scalable or repicable. If your solution is highly relying on one particular location, please do not apply.
• Maturity: your solution is ideally around pre-seed or seed stage. The minimum requirement is the existence of a business model, a business plan, a marketable pilot product, or a minimum viable product (MVP). Please do not apply if the annual revenues of your specific solution exceed USD 1 million.
• Form: there are no specific requirements regarding legal form, ownership structure or age of entity. Please do not apply if your solution is considered ‘a project’.
• Geographies: global; organisations active in or from countries at high risk of money laundering are excluded.
• Applicants: we only accept applications directly from founders and not from fundraisers. Previous I4N-Award Winners are excluded. Previous I4N Award Finalists can reapply after 2 years, unless they have a new project.​
• Availability: should you be selected, at least one founder or executive director must be available either in person or via video call on the Pitch Day: Tuesday, 21st October 2025, in Switzerland
• Language: Only applications in English are accepted.
• Cost: participation is free of charge.

The I4N Award journey

The award journey is a multi-stage process that rigorously evaluates nature-positive solutions based on their environmental impact, business viability, and governance. It culminates in recognising and supporting the most promising solutions through an award, mentorship and a dedicated event.