THE INSPIRATION TO USE FUNGI TO HELP US WITH OUR LARGEST SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES
Fungi hold the potential to become the super savior to some of humanity's largest environmental challenges—whether it be fighting climate change, addressing severe biodiversity loss, ensuring more regenerative agriculture, or replacing harmful products.
However, we have only scratched the surface in unlocking and harnessing the power of this remarkable kingdom.
With The Future is Fungi Award, we want to honor and uncover frontier and cutting-edge science that explores the utilization of fungi for environmental solutions. We aim to spotlight new and emerging areas of fungal research and start-up innovations, lifting them from the depths of the forest into the daylight.
Our goal is also to inspire further research and innovation in the boundless fields of fungal research and applications.
Real-world problems need real-world solutions. Therefore, we also want to encourage the commercialization of fungal research, bringing its solutions into the real world—and accelerating our journey toward a more sustainable, regenerative path.
Together, we accelerate the fungal revolution!
VISION
The award aims to inspire a transition towards a society and system deeply rooted in nature, where we draw upon nature's intelligence to design and create solutions that sustain humanity.
By co-creating with nature and living in harmony with it, we can foster a more regenerative and prosperous future. Fungi offer a guiding path forward.
MISSION
The award is part of a broader mission to serve as an engine and catalyst, accelerating fungal innovations to solve environmental challenges worldwide.
It also aims to convene a diverse global ecosystem, bringing together science, corporations, investors, startups, and the wider innovation community for collaboration and partnerships.
THE STORY BEHIND THE AWARD
A sustainability strategist and a biologist came together over their fascination with fungi, driven by curiosity and belief in the potential of this third kingdom. We have only just begun to scratch the surface of how this remarkable organism can help us tackle some of humanity’s greatest challenges.
We hope you will join us on the journey!
Susanne Gløersen
Initiator The Future is Fungi Award
Sustainability adventurer
Lech Ignatowicz
Co-pilot at The Future is Fungi Award
Geek
Crew and contributors
We couldn’t have achieved this without your support, and it wouldn’t have been nearly as enjoyable!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who believed in this award and contributed their energy, ideas, and hard work.
The success of our first award demonstrates how much can be accomplished with a modest budget and the dedication of volunteers. We’re also grateful to the global fungal community—institutions, organizations, and passionate scientists—who helped us spread the word and make this initiative a reality.
FUNGUS CREW
Who are volunteering for the cause of fungi innovation and honor the scientists and start-ups with the best ideas out there.
Oda Allum Larsen
Niké Ponnet
Others who have contributed: Christina Rasmussen, Danah Lrr, Marianne Hauknes, Anna Nordahl Carlsen, William Bursvik, Jakob Roseen, Iver Finne, Cornelia von Bahr, Santiago Pérez-Bernal
A big thank you to our backers
We want to extend our gratitude and deep appreciation to our backers. Without them , this award would not be possible. Thank you for your support!
The award has been backed by three regenerative agriculture focused impact investors whom donated support to the winner grants and the organization.
Arkaia with Sylvester Rishøj, Peter Jäderberg and Gadi Kenny.