Science Entrepreneurs

WINNERS

Some of our most transformative fungal solutions to our planet’s environmental challenges exist today, because bold scientists chose to take their breakthroughs beyond academia, and into the real world.

This autumn, five pioneering teams win a place in a 3-month venture builder programme, a launchpad designed to turn to world-class science into world-changing ventures. Selected from more than 126 innovators across the globe, they represent the very forefront of fungal innovation.

The fungal revolution needs pioneers like these.
Our mission is to help them go further, faster.

As the world’s first venture programme dedicated exclusively to fungal innovators, we are building the bridge between breakthrough research and real-world impact. At the conclusion of the programme, one venture will be selected to receive The Future Is Fungi Award Winner Investment of €60 000 to accelerate its next stage of growth.

Meet the five winning teams leading the next wave of fungal innovation below!

SymbioSoil

Agriculture, USA

Restoring soil from the root up with fungal-microbial delivery systems that rebuild healthy, productive ecosystems.

Based out of the US, this team from University of Washington is an agricultural biotech startup developing BioBead, a biodegradable hydrogel that delivers beneficial bacteria and root-colonizing fungi directly to the plant's rhizosphere, protecting them from washout to restore soil microbial balance and support healthier yields.

Building With Microbes

Novel Materials, Denmark

Turning demolition waste into low-emission building materials with fungal-bacterial binders that rebuild the built environment.

This team from Denmark are embarking on a powerful alliance to rewire the build environment. With a combination of fungi and bacteria, they turn mineral demolition waste into new low emission building blocs, with a fungi & bacterial binder.

LipiTune

Cosmetics, Germany

Reimagining cosmetic oils through fungal bio-production, sustainable, high-performance and earth-derived.

This strong team from RWTH Aachen University in Germany is focusing on oils for cosmetics by harvesting the true potential of fungi, a more sustainable alternative to current oils.

Still Bio

Food, Denmark

Using natural fungal protection to extend fresh food life and cut global food waste at the source.

Food loss is according to The Drawdown project one of our largest source of global emissions.

Still Bio is tackling that, with a team from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). They are making a natural fungal protection of fresh food produce, to ensure the durability and ensure it does not goes to waste!

MultiBioCrop

Agriculture, Greece

Fungal-powered crop protection that helps farmers grow stronger harvests with fewer chemicals and inputs.

MultiBioCrop University of Thessaly, is a fungal-based biological solution helping farmers protect and nourish their crops while reducing dependence on chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

“Biology is becoming the world’s next operating system, and fungal innovation is showing the way”

Susanne Gløersen, CEO & Founder of the Future is Fungi Award.

AWARD PRIZE

Venture Program

Digital program for top 5
Learning how to build a startup
From Sept to Dec 2026
In-kind program

Expert Network

Exclusive expert network
40+ top organizations
Corporates, startup experts, research institutions
Driving growth & collaboration

Financial Prize

Investment to the winner
To boost your journey
Structured as a SAFE investment

Fungal Fame

The Future is Fungi Podcast
Article and video interview
External interviews
Other exciting promotional opportunities

The award’s mission is to back fungal pioneers blazing a trail for a nature powered planet.

STARTUP AWARD 2025

WINNERS

WINNER

Michroma

Michroma is transforming the way we colour and flavor our food. 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.

Explore the winners

THE FUTURE IS FUNGI AWARD

- The worlds leading award for fungi-powered innovation

"This year’s winners show just how transformative fungal innovation has become," says Susanne Gløersen, Founder of the Future is Fungi Award.

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!

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.

Visit The Fungal Hall of Fame

Discover the stories about the startup award winners

Explore the 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

Explore the winners!