Global Design Challenge

The Biomimicry Institute and the Ray C. Anderson Foundation are issuing a challenge to look to our planet’s living systems to help solve the greatest issue of our time—climate change. The 2020-21 Biomimicry Global Design Challenge is mobilizing thousands of students and professionals worldwide to tackle climate-related challenges using biomimicry. The goal: to show how nature-inspired design can provide viable solutions to the current climate crisis.

2020-21 Global Biomimicry Design Challenge Theme

Create a nature-inspired innovation (a product, service, or system) that aligns with one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations. These SDGs address a myriad of topics like hunger, clean water, renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and threats to marine life. Submission are due June 30th, 2021

Up to 10 finalist teams will be invited to participate in the Biomimicry Launchpad, a program that provides early-stage biomimicry design teams the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to turn their project into a startup. The Launchpad begins in late summer/early fall 2020 and includes a 10-week digital program that provides business training and startup coaching, access to prototyping funds, pro bono IP legal assistance, mentorship support, access to software tools, and coaching and technical consultations valued in excess of $12,000. Additionally, the Biomimicry Institute covers all costs for two (2) people per team to attend an immersive, in-person Biomimicry & Business Bootcamp. 

Biomimicry Launchpad

The Biomimicry Launchpad is an incubator program that helps early-stage entrepreneurs bring nature-inspired solutions to market.

The Biomimicry Launchpad accelerates the development and commercialization of biomimicry startup innovations and helps support the next generation of sustainability entrepreneurs. All teams have been selected as finalists from the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge.

Launchpad Details

The Launchpad consists of a virtual 10-week customer discovery and technology validation “pre-accelerator” and an in-person Biomimicry Entrepreneurship Expedition. The Launchpad will cover topics such as the biomimicry design process, team building, understanding a customer’s problem or needs, product/market fits and how to build/test minimal viable prototype.

Launchpad participants will experience: Startup training & coaching, in-person Biomimicry Entrepreneurship Expedition, mentorship & network of industry experts, and pro bono legal advice.

Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge

The Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge (YDC) is a free project-based learning experience created to introduce middle and high school students to nature-inspired design. The YDC offers tools and resources to make it easy for educators to build creative and engaging learning experiences that strengthen critical thinking skills for their students. We’re providing a clear framework that meets science standards and enables students to solve real-world and local sustainability problems. (Source: The Biomimicry Institute)

2020 Winners of the Youth Design Challenge

First Place

Team Designmatter with Project “The Moist Brick”

Orange Cube Art, La Crescenta, CA

Second Place

Team SONA with Project “A Concrete Solution”

Hopewell Valley Central High School, Pennington, NJ

Third Place

Team BayProtector with Project “The BayProtector”

Corona del Mar High School, Newport Beach, CA