The “Future is Fungi” award and podcast - EUR 30,000 (2 December 2024)
The “Future is Fungi” was founded by the Norwegian Susanne Gløersen. Fungi are powerful agents to reduce climate change and biodiversity loss. They play a role in regenerative agriculture and can replace harmful products. More research and innovations are needed. The award is organized to raise worldwide awareness of fungi and accelerate their use. It aims to bring together science, corporations, investors and startups for collaboration and partnerships.
In 2023 257 applications from 70 countries were received. The Science winner for the first award was Jens Laurids Sørensen from Aalborg University in Denmark for his research and building a prototype of a mycobased battery. The Belgian Novobiom and Swedish MycoMine won with their innovation leveraging fungi to clean contaminated soil and water. In addition to the award grants, the top 5 Scientists received a 3 month programme to build a scientific startup for an environmental solution. The best 3 Startups earned an expert network programme.
The award ceremony was hosted digitally with more than 700 participants worldwide, along with panel discussions, presentations and music made by fungi. The “Future is Fungi” podcast is interviewing leading fungi scientists and innovators.
