Open Calls

Brainforest Launches Venture Program For Biodiversity Startups With $125K Investment

by News Editor

Overview

Applications are open for Brainforest’s Venture Program #8, a 10-week programme running between October and December 2026 for early-stage ventures building biodiversity solutions. The programme supports startups across four focus areas: Nature Intelligence & Measurement, Regenerative Food Systems, Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital, and Market and Value Chain Transformation.

The programme offers hands-on support, expert sessions and mentoring, whilst connecting local knowledge with global investment.

Benefits

Selected ventures will receive equity-free $2,000 support, paid in two phases and intended to be used where it matters most for the venture. Participants will also receive dedicated one-to-one founder coaching from the Brainforest team.

The programme includes hands-on support across business model development, user validation, financial data room setup, impact management and strategy. Participants will also access expert sessions and targeted mentorship with 20 experienced mentors and up to 10 expert-led live sessions.

Additional benefits include peer learning sessions with a close cohort of founders, access to Brainforest’s biodiversity innovation ecosystem, lifetime access to the Brainforest Alumni Network, and opportunities to pitch to investors through Brainforest’s demo and pitch formats.

During the programme, selected teams will be invited to pitch to the Brainforest Investment Committee in Zürich. Up to two ventures may receive $125,000 in equity funding.

Who Can Apply

The programme is aimed at early-stage ventures working on biodiversity solutions. Brainforest says applicants should generally be at pre-seed or seed stage, with a first product, prototype or pilot already in the world, and a team ready to invest ten intensive weeks into sharpening its strategy, business model and pitch.

Applicants can be headquartered anywhere in the world, provided their product or service can be deployed in a biodiversity hotspot or a region where nature and ecosystems are under threat.

The programme is particularly relevant for ventures where biodiversity sits at the core of the business model, with revenue and impact designed to grow together.

Criteria

Applicants should be building ventures in one of Brainforest’s four focus areas:

  • Nature Intelligence & Measurement
  • Regenerative Food Systems
  • Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital
  • Market and Value Chain Transformation

Brainforest’s programme page describes these areas as covering solutions such as regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, soil health, MRV, remote sensing, AI, data infrastructure, biodiversity and natural capital business models, and infrastructure, software, finance or business models that help regenerative products and ecosystem services reach markets at scale.

How To Apply

Applications are open through Brainforest’s Venture Program page. The application deadline is 17th August 2026.

About Brainforest

Brainforest works with founders building ventures centred around biodiversity, nature and forests. Its Venture Program combines founder coaching, expert mentoring, ecosystem access and investor exposure to help early-stage teams refine their strategy, business model, impact approach and fundraising readiness.

Junior Achievement Cyprus Launches 2026–2027 Company Programme For Student Entrepreneurs

by News Editor

Overview

Junior Achievement Cyprus has launched its Company Programme for the 2026–2027 academic year, giving students the opportunity to design, launch and run their own real-world companies from the ground up.

The programme challenges student teams to develop a business idea, build a working company structure, manage a budget and bring a real product or service to market within a single academic year. Participants take on roles such as Managing Director, Finance Director and Marketing Director, gaining hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, teamwork and financial literacy.

Benefits

Throughout the year, participants will receive mentorship from local business professionals, who will guide them through the competition. The programme is designed to build essential skills in leadership, financial management and innovation, while giving students a taste of running a business.

Last year’s programme brought together 91 student companies from 51 schools across Cyprus. Cyprus’s national winning team, HerShield, went on to place third in the JA Europe Company of the Year competition. Junior Achievement Cyprus says this year’s aim is to extend the opportunity to even more schools and young people.

Who Can Participate

The programme is aimed at students who will work in teams to create and operate their own companies during the academic year. An introductory online session for secondary teachers will take place on 29 September.

Partners

The Company Programme is supported by PwC Cyprus and the Youth Board of Cyprus as strategic partners. Its partners are XM and Coffee Island, while supporters include the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Amdocs, Coca-Cola HBC Cyprus and the Research and Innovation Foundation. The institutional partner is the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.

How To Register

Registrations are available through the Junior Achievement Cyprus website. For more information, interested participants can contact Programme Coordinator Marios Kakouris at marios.kakouris@jacyprus.org or info@jacyprus.org, or call 99 203701.

About Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement is one of the world’s largest organisations dedicated to preparing young people for employment and entrepreneurship. Through experiential programmes in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, work readiness and active citizenship, JA helps young people build the skills and confidence to shape their futures. Operating in more than 100 countries, JA connects education with the world of work through collaboration with schools, educators, volunteers and businesses.

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