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Science Entrepreneurs
Your research has the power to change the world—but only if it leaves the lab.
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Read more about the science entrepreneur award, what you can win and how to apply here!
9th of February
Take the leap, amplify your work, and shape the future where fungal innovation drives a regenerative world. We are here to back you succeeding.
APPLY FROM 9TH OF FEB UNTIL 9TH OF MARCH 2026.
SIGN UP TO GET INFO ABOUT THE AWARD PROCESS!
AWARD PRIZE
Venture Program
Digital program for top 5
Learning how to build a startup
From mid March to mid June
Financial Prize
Financial prize to the winner
To boost your journey
Fungal Fame
The Future is Fungi Podcast
Article and video interview
External interviews
Other exciting promotional opportunities
For science entrepreneurs ready to turn your fungal discovery into real environmental impact, this is your moment.
The Science Entrepreneur Award is here to back you with commercializing your innovation, funding, and a network of advisors to help bring your fungal innovation to the world.
APPLICATIONS OPEN
The award’s mission is to back fungal pioneers blazing a trail for a nature powered planet.
THE MISSION OF THE AWARD
The Future is Fungi Award is a global award backing bold founders and science entrepreneurs using fungi to tackle humanity’s and our planet’s greatest environmental challenges.
We support science-driven entrepreneurs and startups turning breakthrough ideas into real, scalable solutions. We aim to accelerate a global movement with a clear vision:
a regenerative world powered by nature.
Founded by Susanne Gloersen, a sustainability pioneer, a fungi investor and a global ecosystem builder. Her mission is to transtion to a more nature centric global system, where we co-operate with nature for the solutions humanity needs. Fungi can show the way.
TOGETHER, WE ACCELERATE THE FUNGAL REVOLUTION!
STARTUP AWARD 2025
WINNERS
WINNER
Michroma
Michroma is transforming the way we colour and flavor. Using fungi-derived ingredients, they’re replacing petrochemicals with sustainable, natural solutions, pioneering a new standard for the food industry.
SECOND PLACE
Mycolever
Mycolever develops next-generation fungi bioingredients for personal care and cosmetics, replacing petrochemical, animal and plant-based inputs, advancing performance while driving sustainability.
THIRD PLACE
HIRO
Technologies
Creating the worlds first biodegradable diapers. Their fungi-powered approach breaks down plastics in months instead of centuries, demonstrating how innovation can regenerate both products and the planet.
THE FUTURE IS FUNGI AWARD
"This year’s winners show just how transformative fungal innovation has become," says Susanne Gløersen, Founder of the Future is Fungi Award.
- The worlds leading award for fungi-powered innovation
The Future is Fungi Award 2025 celebrates the world’s most visionary fungal innovators. From 187 entrants across 59 countries, the top three are leading a global movement, using fungi to transform industries, heal ecosystems, and build a regenerative future.
Every startup reflects a growing global wave of innovators shaping a fungi-powered future.
Together, we accelerate the fungal revolution!
Award Impact at a Glance
187
APPLICANTS
59
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
37%
ENTRIES CAME FROM EUROPE
The Fungal Hall of Fame
Explore the pioneers leading the fungal revolution
The Fungi Hall of Fame spotlights the winners of The Future is Fungi Award, world’s leading fungal innovators and science entrepreneurs, harnessing nature’s intelligence to heal ecosystems, power industries, and build a regenerative future.
Discover the stories about the startup award winners
2025 & 2026 AWARD
Startup
The 2025 Startup Award honors visionary startups using fungi to tackle our planet’s biggest challenges. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling fast, this is your chance to gain recognition, spark partnerships, and lead the future of sustainable innovation.
Winners:
1st place: Michroma
2nd place: Mycolever
3rd place: HIRO Technologies
Award Prize:
€250.000 investment
Access to an expert network
Fungal Hall of Fame
Science Entrepreneurs
A new award just for science entrepreneurs is launching in 2026, designed to help you turn groundbreaking research into real-world impact.
Applications open
9th of February 2026
You can win:
Financial prize
3-month venture builder program
Fungal Hall of Fame
Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and application info.
This isn’t just an award - it’s a launchpad. Access funding, partnerships and a global stage
NETWORK PARTNERS AND SPONSORS
AWARD SUPPORTERS
Gong Family Foundation
Martino Cortese
PARTNERS
NETWORK PARTNERS
MycologyDK
Special thanks to our contributors, including Jay Litcher (@cyansense) and Stephen Axford & Catherine Marciniak (@planet_fungi) for their stunning fungi photography, as well as Philip Bergman and Jason Pantino for their captivating video editing and audio contributions.