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Nature and biodiversity

Scaling nature-positive innovation that protects and restores terrestrial biodiversity

Biodiversity is declining faster than at any time in human history. In the last three decades alone, approximately 420 million hectares of forest have been lost to land clearing, jeopardizing the habitat of more than 80% of the planet’s terrestrial species of animals, plants, and insects. The loss of biodiversity not only disrupts the intricate balance of natural ecosystems, but also threatens human health, accelerates climate change, and undermines the foundation of the global economy.

New

Scaling Land Restoration

A call for solutions that accelerate and commercialize terrestrial ecosystem restoration. From post-mining recovery and soil rehabilitation to landscape monitoring, this Challenge targets technologies and business models that make land restoration financially viable and attractive to private capital.

Collaborating for impact

Innovation, with its capacity to deliver disruptive solutions, can help tackle the biodiversity crisis and drive much needed investment to nature. In partnership with Mercuria and a network of World Economic Forum Initiatives, such as the Nature Positive Transitions and the Forest Future Alliance, UpLink is bringing together a coalition of stakeholders to surface and scale nature-positive innovation- paving the path for a future that enables humanity to live in harmony with nature and biodiversity.

A global ecosystem

UpLink builds innovation ecosystems that help early-stage, purpose-driven entrepreneurs scale solutions for markets and economies vital to a resilient, sustainable and prosperous future. UpLink Ventures operate across regions worldwide.

Partners


Challenge funder

Ecosystem partners

1t.org
African Union Commission
AJE Group
Alexander von Humboldt Institute & Government of Columbia
Aliados
Amazon Investor Coalition
American Forests
APG Asset Management
Barka Fund
Bayer
Birdlife International
Built by Nature

Carbon Counts

Chicago Region Trees Initiative
CIFOR

VENTURE SPOTLIGHT

Bioverse: Forest mapping and yield forecasting for non-timber forest products

Bioverse is a technology-driven forest intelligence company dedicated to unlocking the value of tropical forests and scaling nature-based solutions for people and the planet. Founded in 2020, Bioverse uses advanced satellite, drone and artificial intelligence technologies to map forest cover, monitor species prevalence and support sustainable harvesting, carbon and biodiversity credits and forest regeneration efforts across the Amazon Basin and other tropical regions. The company collaborates with commercial, government and non-profit partners to expand high-integrity biodiversity projects that benefit local communities and the broader green economy.

Top-down view of a dense, multi-species forest canopy with varied colors and textures, suitable as a base layer for mapping and yield models.

Past Innovation Challenges

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Nature Returns Challenge

A call for early-stage investors transforming capital deployment for nature

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Biodiversity Challenge

A call for ecopreneurial solutions that promote the conservation, protection, and restoration of biodiversity, while enabling the maintenance of services that are crucial for the health of terrestrial ecosystems.

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Trillion Trees: Restoration at Scale

A call for ecopreneurial solutions that enable forest restoration at scale, delivering carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation and livelihood generation opportunities that help revive our natural ecosystems.

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Forest and Health Challenge

A call for innovative solutions that emphasize the interdependence between forests and human health and wellbeing.

Explore solutions and insights 

These 3 start-ups are joining forces to supercharge mangrove restoration
This smart bucket helps young trees grow on dry and degraded land
How habitat banks protect biodiversity and boost economies with Terrasos' Founder, Mariana Sarmiento
How nature's data can power a sustainable economy with Nature Metrics' Founder, Kat Bruce

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