Innovate 4 Nature

What Innovate 4 Nature does

Innovate 4 Nature (I4N) is a Swiss non-profit foundation headquartered at Impact Hub Geneva, operating as a global catalyst platform for nature-positive innovation. Founded in 2021 as a marketplace and formalised as a tax-exempt foundation on May 2, 2024, the organisation runs a six-person operational team led by Executive Director Dr. Barbara Dubach, structured around three pillars: portfolio building, ecosystem building, and thought leadership. Its primary products are the annual I4N Award (a three-round global competition that attracted 400+ applications from 81 countries in both 2024 and 2025, awarding CHF 25,000 prizes across four focus areas), the "It's Now for Nature" corporate Accelerator (a nine-month ACT-D framework programme aligned with TNFD and CSRD disclosure requirements, priced at CHF 5,800-6,800 per company), and a portfolio of 74+ vetted nature-positive solutions spanning sustainable ecosystem management, nature as infrastructure, regenerative food systems, and circular solutions. I4N has extended its model internationally through regional hubs in Latin America (Costa Rica, October 2025, with FUNDES) and MENA (UAE, February 2026, with Goumbook), and runs sector-specific Action Labs including ARISE for the Amazonian value chain and a Ports & Coastal Infrastructure Lab.

The foundation serves three primary customer segments: early-stage nature-positive startups seeking prize capital, mentorship, and visibility; large corporates such as Breitling, IKEA Switzerland, and SBB requiring science-based nature strategies and disclosure-readiness support; and financial institutions navigating TNFD, CSRD, and Swiss FINMA Circular 2026/1 nature-risk compliance. Revenue is generated through three streams: Accelerator programme fees (CHF 5,800-6,800 per corporate participant, with custom quotes for individual engagements), donations to the tax-exempt foundation, and partner-sponsored award prize funding (including a CHF 15,000 thematic grant from the Wyss Academy for Nature). I4N monetises attention and convening power through the Davos platform (Nature Lunch 150+ leaders, I4N Dinner 180 guests) and deepens stickiness through Action Labs, a network of 15+ strategic and network partners (PwC Switzerland, Business for Nature, SAP, Solar Impulse, UN Global Compact, etc.), and a board including André Hoffmann and InTent's leadership.

Name

Innovate 4 Nature

Legal name

Innovate 4 Nature

Website

https://i4n.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Innovate 4 Nature is a Swiss non-profit foundation that catalyses nature-positive innovation through an annual startup award (400+ applications), a corporate accelerator using the ACT-D framework for TNFD/CSRD disclosure, 74+ vetted portfolio solutions, and regional hubs in LATAM and MENA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental and Sustainability Consulting Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Risk Reporting & Disclosure Analytics (TCFD/ISSB, EU Taxonomy, CSRD, NAIC) (EUABALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nature & Biodiversity Reporting (TNFD, natural capital) (EUAHAJAM), Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

Keywords

• Nature-positive innovation
• Corporate sustainability accelerator
• Biodiversity solutions portfolio
• TNFD CSRD consulting
• Regenerative startup support

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Accelerator Programme Fees: I4N charges corporate participants fees to join the Group Accelerator programme (CHF 5,800-6,800 per company depending on cohort size, excluding VAT). Individual company support is priced based on maturity and organisational needs. The 2026-2027 cohort begins in Fall 2026 with four structured workshops running through May 2027.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: I4N operates as a Swiss tax-exempt non-profit foundation. Donations directly support the mission to accelerate nature-positive innovation and back early-stage startups developing solutions for nature. The foundation also receives support from co-investors and partners for regional hub operations.
3. I4N Award Prize Funding: The I4N Award distributes prize money to winning nature-positive startups: 4 x CHF 25,000 across four focus areas globally, plus a CHF 15,000 thematic grant from the Wyss Academy for Nature (regional, topic: nature-positive value chains for regenerative local economies). Funding for prizes is supported by partners and sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Innovate 4 Nature is a Swiss non-profit foundation acting as a global catalyst for nature-positive innovation. It identifies, vets and accelerates early-stage nature-positive startups (through the I4N Award and Portfolio) and supports large corporates (Breitling, IKEA Switzerland, SBB) and financial institutions in developing science-based nature strategies aligned with TNFD/CSRD/FINMA disclosure requirements via the 'It's Now for Nature' Corporate Accelerator and the ACT-D framework. It builds ecosystem connectivity through Action Labs, Regional Hubs (LATAM and MENA) and high-profile events at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Product overview

Innovate 4 Nature is a Swiss non-profit foundation operating as a catalyst platform for nature-positive innovation, not a unified software product. The organization offers a suite of interconnected programmes: the I4N Award (annual startup competition with four focus area categories), the I4N Portfolio (74 vetted solutions across sustainable ecosystem management, nature as infrastructure, regenerative food systems, and circular solutions), the 'It's Now for Nature' Accelerator (corporate transformation programme using the ACT-D framework), I4N Action Labs (sector-specific collaborative platforms), and I4N Regional Hubs (locally anchored innovation accelerators in LATAM and MENA). Additional offerings include thought leadership publications and exclusive networking events at major forums like the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• I4N Award: Annual award program recognizing outstanding nature-positive solutions across four focus areas
• I4N Action Labs
• I4N Regional Hubs
• It's Now for Nature Accelerator

Products and services

• I4N Award Annual global award programme that identifies and supports early-stage nature-positive startups through a rigorous three-stage selection process. Winners receive CHF 25,000 cash prize per focus area (four winners globally), plus a CHF 15,000 Wyss Academy thematic grant, alongside mentorship, ecosystem access and visibility at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
• I4N Portfolio of Nature-Positive Solutions Curated collection of 74+ vetted nature-positive solutions including I4N Award winners, finalists, and alumni, organised across four focus areas: sustainable ecosystem management, nature as infrastructure, regenerative food systems, and circular solutions. The portfolio serves corporates, investors and partners seeking deployable nature-positive innovations for value-chain transformation.
• It's Now for Nature Accelerator Programme Nine-month corporate accelerator programme that supports large companies in developing science-based nature and biodiversity strategies aligned with TNFD/CSRD disclosure requirements. Uses the ACT-D framework (Assess-Commit-Transform-Disclose) with structured workshops, strategic guidance, SMART targets, peer learning and expert support. Group Accelerator priced at CHF 5,800-6,800 per company depending on cohort size; Individual Company Support is custom-quoted.
• I4N Action Labs Collaborative platforms that connect corporates, investors and partners to source, vet and deploy nature-positive solutions. Each Action Lab focuses on a specific sector or ecosystem, enabling members to address shared challenges through structured innovation, sourcing and pilot deployment.
• I4N Regional Hubs Locally anchored hubs that catalyse nature-positive innovation and enable communities to drive regenerative change. The LATAM Hub (Costa Rica, with FUNDES) covers a region hosting approximately 40% of global biodiversity. The MENA Hub (UAE, with Goumbook) addresses water scarcity affecting 12 of the world's 17 most water-stressed countries. Annual operating cost approximately CHF 500,000 per hub.
• I4N Networking Events Exclusive networking events fostering collaboration between high-quality nature-positive solutions and companies, foundations, investors and family offices. Flagship events include the annual Nature Lunch at the World Economic Forum in Davos, I4N Day, I4N Dinner, and active participation in industry conferences including Climate Week Zurich, swisscleantech Dialog and Building Bridges.
• I4N Thought Leadership & Insights Expert content publications including papers, reports and analysis on nature-positive innovation, nature finance, TNFD/CSRD disclosure, board leadership and corporate sustainability transformation. Includes joint publications with PwC Switzerland and an annual Impact Report.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 applications received globally in both 2024 and 2025 I4N Award cycles, from 81 countries
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PwC SwitzerlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026I4N partnered with PwC Switzerland for the joint publication 'Nature Positive: From Resilience to Value Creation' (June 2026). The collaboration combined PwC's industry expertise with I4N's ecosystem knowledge, surveying 41 Swiss-active organisations on nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities, and conducting a TNFD 2025 analysis of the 100 largest Swiss-headquartered companies. The paper was presented at the swisscleantech Dialog 2026.
• GoumbookcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026I4N and Goumbook (UAE-based social enterprise with over a decade of experience in sustainability and climate action across MENA) partnered to launch the I4N Regional Hub in the Middle East and North Africa. The hub supports early-stage, nature-positive start-ups through a localised capacity-building and ecosystem development programme focused on the region's most urgent environmental challenges, particularly water scarcity affecting 12 of the world's 17 most water-stressed countries.
• FUNDEScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2025Innovate 4 Nature and FUNDES partnered to launch the I4N Regional Hub in Latin America (LATAM), based in Costa Rica. The hub aims to identify and select high-potential, nature-positive start-ups across Latin America, strengthen their business models, governance structures, and impact measurement through tailored acceleration and mentoring support, and facilitate strategic connections between entrepreneurs and corporates to unlock pilot projects, partnerships, and market access. The LATAM Hub was launched in October 2025 at an event in Costa Rica.
• engageabilitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025I4N collaborates with engageability for its 'It's Now for Nature' Accelerator programme, contributing the ACT-D framework and strategic guidance. Engageability also conducted the TNFD 2025 analysis of the 100 largest Swiss-headquartered companies as an I4N affiliate. Dr. Barbara Dubach (I4N Executive Director) is associated with engageability.
• Business for Nature (BfN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerI4N participates in the global Business for Nature 'It's Now for Nature' campaign, which calls on governments and businesses to take urgent action for nature. The campaign provides a framework and platform that I4N leverages for its corporate accelerator programme. I4N is listed as an official Accelerator partner under the BfN campaign.
• ESG4BoardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerI4N co-hosted a strategic breakfast session at Climate Week Zurich 2026 with ESG4Boards and Tetranomics on 'Nature, AI and the Next Generation of Board Leadership', exploring how boards can lead the transition to a nature-positive, regenerative economy in an AI-driven era.
• TetranomicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerI4N co-hosted a strategic breakfast session at Climate Week Zurich 2026 with ESG4Boards and Tetranomics. Tetranomics contributed expertise on AI and board leadership, including the introduction of Daphne, an AI agent designed to serve as a non-human stakeholder representing nature, indigenous communities, and future generations in boardroom discussions.
• Fourfold FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFourfold Foundation is listed as one of I4N's four strategic partners (alongside Givaudan, InTent, and WA) and appears on I4N's website as a key strategic partner supporting the foundation's mission.
• GivaudancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGivaudan is listed as one of I4N's four strategic partners, alongside Fourfold Foundation, InTent, and WA. As a global fragrance and flavour company with significant nature dependencies in its supply chain, Givaudan's partnership signals corporate commitment to nature-positive innovation.
• InTentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInTent is listed as one of I4N's four strategic partners. André Hoffmann from InTent serves on I4N's Board of Directors. InTent was one of the founding organisations that initiated I4N as a marketplace in 2021 alongside engageability, In-Finitude, and Waterpreneurs.
• WA (WA Foundation / De Vigier)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWA (W.A. De Vigier Stiftung) is listed as one of I4N's four strategic partners. Hanna Byland from W.A. De Vigier Stiftung serves on I4N's Board of Directors, providing governance oversight and potentially funding connections.
• European Biodiversity Coalition (EBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerI4N co-hosted the inaugural Nature Lunch at WEF 2026 in Davos together with the European Biodiversity Coalition, Nature Wealth Foundation, and biodiversity bridge. The EBC brings together European businesses committed to reversing biodiversity loss, providing a high-level platform for I4N's nature-positive mission.
• Nature Wealth FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerI4N co-hosted the inaugural Nature Lunch at WEF 2026 in Davos together with Nature Wealth Foundation, European Biodiversity Coalition, and biodiversity bridge. Nature Wealth Foundation focuses on financing nature-positive transformation and aligns with I4N's mission to catalyse nature-positive innovation.
• biodiversity bridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerI4N co-hosted the inaugural Nature Lunch at WEF 2026 in Davos together with biodiversity bridge, European Biodiversity Coalition, and Nature Wealth Foundation. biodiversity bridge acts as a connector between businesses and nature-positive solutions, aligning with I4N's ecosystem-building pillar.
• B-Lab (Switzerland)minorOthersB-Lab (Switzerland) is listed as a network partner of I4N, alongside B-Corp certification expertise and the broader impact business ecosystem. Jonathan Normand from B Lab (Switzerland) serves on the I4N 2025 Jury.
• SAPminorOthersSAP is listed as an I4N network partner, suggesting a connection around sustainability technology, enterprise software for nature reporting, or potential integration of nature data into enterprise systems.
• Solar Impulse FoundationminorOthersSolar Impulse Foundation is listed as an I4N network partner. The foundation focuses on clean technology solutions and the Efficient Solutions label for scalable innovations, aligning with I4N's nature-positive innovation focus.
• UN Global CompactminorOthersI4N supports the UN Global Compact, indicating alignment with the UN's sustainable development framework and principles for responsible business.
• ClimadaminorOthersClimada is listed as an I4N network partner. Climada specialises in catastrophe modelling and climate risk, aligning with I4N's focus on nature risk and resilience for businesses.
• TrustLawminorOthersTrustLaw is listed as an I4N network partner. TrustLaw provides free legal support for NGOs and social enterprises, potentially supporting I4N's portfolio companies with legal and governance needs.
• good carbonminorOthersgood carbon is listed as an I4N network partner and was a sponsor of the Nature Lunch 2026. good carbon focuses on nature-based carbon offsetting and climate solutions, aligning with I4N's mission.
• Nature Wealth FoundationminorOthersNature Wealth Foundation is also listed as a network partner, indicating ongoing collaboration beyond the Nature Lunch co-hosting arrangement.
• BCA (Business Crime Prevention Academy)minorOthersBCA is listed as an I4N network partner. The partnership may relate to responsible business practices, compliance, or governance frameworks relevant to nature-positive business transformation.
• FFN (Family Foundation Network)minorOthersFFN (Family Foundation Network) is listed as an I4N network partner, potentially connecting I4N with family office capital and philanthropic networks for nature-positive investment.
• TRF (The RestorFund)minorOthersTRF (The RestorFund) is listed as an I4N network partner, with a focus on restoration finance that aligns with I4N's mission to catalyse nature-positive solutions.
• EBC (European Business Council for Sustainable Energy)minorOthersEBC (European Business Council for Sustainable Energy) is listed as an I4N network partner, connecting I4N with the sustainable energy business community that shares synergies with nature-positive innovation.
• WaterpreneursminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaterpreneurs was one of the four founding organisations that initiated I4N as a marketplace in 2021 alongside engageability, In-Finitude, and InTent. Brieux Michoud from Waterpreneurs serves on I4N's Board of Directors. Waterpreneurs focuses on water-related entrepreneurship for sustainable development.
• BreitlingminorOthersBreitling participated as a breakout discussion leader at the swisscleantech Dialog 2026 session hosted by I4N and PwC Switzerland. Breitling shared its three-step approach to developing a nature strategy, demonstrating the application of I4N's accelerator methodology in practice.
• IKEA SwitzerlandminorOthersIKEA Switzerland participated as a breakout discussion leader at the swisscleantech Dialog 2026 session, sharing its experience localising a global biodiversity strategy for the Swiss market and building a store-level biodiversity score tool, both through I4N's accelerator programme.
• MigrosminorOthersMigros participated as a breakout discussion leader at the swisscleantech Dialog 2026, discussing the move from Science Based Targets (SBTi) to Science Based Targets for Nature (SBTN) and the scale of additional work involved in nature target-setting.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@innovate4nature
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/innovate-4-nature

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

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Frequently asked questions about Innovate 4 Nature