The Future is Fungi Award is a global award that supports bold founders and science entrepreneurs using fungi to tackle environmental challenges. The award is for projects that contribute to climate change mitigation, biodiversity protection, sustainable agriculture or alternatives to petrochemical products.
There are two separate schemes:
Start-up Award – for businesses at startup or scaleup at pre-seed or Series A stage. The prize is an investment of €250,000 to €350,000 as well as support through an expert network and publicity.
Incorporated businesses with innovative projects involving fungi, yeast, or mould can apply.
Science Entrepreneurs – a new venture programme launching soon to help scientists to build a business by turning groundbreaking research into real solutions.
Focus of fund/fund aims:
Support for start-ups and researchers developing innovative fungi-related projects that have positive environmental impact
Application deadline:
Start-Up Award: 1 October 2025. Science Entrepreneurs: tbc (competition opens in December 2025)