Biomimicry Ray of Hope Accelerator
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Quick Answer
US$15,000 (about ₹14.25 lakh) non-dilutive grant plus six months of support for nature-inspired climate and environment startups worldwide. The 2026 round closed on 24 April 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Biomimicry Institute
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 24 April 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Biomimicry Institute. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
The 2026 round of the Ray of Hope Accelerator is closed: applications shut on 24 April 2026. The official page does not say when the next round will open; it only says that companies which have made significant changes since applying may reapply, and should describe those changes. The accelerator is run by the Biomimicry Institute and gives each selected startup US$15,000 (about ₹14.25 lakh) as a non-dilutive grant, with no equity taken. Read on to prepare for a future round.
It is open to startups worldwide, so Indian founders are eligible. One part of the program is in person: a mandatory in-person week in the US, including a four-day nature retreat, attended by a founder or executive plus a second team member. Travel and accommodation for it are covered.
What the program offers
Each accepted startup receives US$15,000 as a grant. "Non-dilutive" means you give up no ownership: the Institute takes no equity. The page notes the amount may change from year to year. Alongside the cash, the program provides over US$50,000 (about ₹47.5 lakh) worth of in-kind services, including tailored coaching, investor introductions, the nature retreat, and training on impact and sustainable business, storytelling, DEI and founder mental health.
The program is free for accepted startups and there is no application fee. It does not require exclusivity, so you can join other programs and keep working with other funders and customers. It is no longer a prize competition: the Institute turned it into an accelerator in 2024. The 2026 program runs for six months, from August 2026 to February 2027, and ends with an online Demo Day for investors, partners and customers.
Who can apply
The solution must be nature-inspired: it should draw on biological principles, ecological relationships or other strategies found in nature to tackle an environmental or climate problem. The page lists 13 areas the work can sit in, such as built environment, food and agriculture, water, biotechnology, conservation and remediation, renewable energy and climate tech.
The program is aimed at pre-seed, seed and Series A startups. Most applicants have a working prototype (technology readiness level 4) and have raised between US$250,000 and US$5 million, though exceptions are judged case by case. A legal entity is required before you join and receive the grant, and past startups typically had two or more full-time team members. At least one founder or executive must take part throughout, submit the deliverables and attend the retreat.
This suits Indian deeptech, materials, water, agri and cleantech startups whose core idea copies or learns from a natural system. It does not suit a general climate app or a business with no biological insight behind the product.
How to apply
- Read the eligibility and selection criteria on the How to Apply page.
- Download the PDF version of the form and prepare your answers in advance, because the online form must be completed in one sitting.
- Choose up to three UN Sustainable Development Goals that match your solution.
- Submit the online form before the deadline, without proprietary information. Concentrate on the nature inspiration, the technology, the impact, your market understanding and your competitive advantage.
How applications are judged and what happens next
The Institute's staff and an external Advisory Committee evaluate applicants on five things: the problem and market potential (including traction); the solution and how disruptive it is; how clearly the nature-inspiration and the science are communicated; the climate and biodiversity impact, including social equity and quantifiable results; and the team's capabilities and diversity. Semi-finalists are shared with the Selection Committee in a second phase. Feedback is not given at the first screening, though committee feedback may be shared with semi-finalists.
About the Biomimicry Institute
The Biomimicry Institute is a non-profit based in Bozeman, Montana, co-founded by Janine Benyus. Besides the accelerator it runs AskNature, an open-source database of nature's strategies, and other programs such as the Living Systems Alliance and the Built Environment Co-Lab. Alumni quoted on the page, including Mycocycle, GreenPod Labs and Strong by Form, credit the program for mentorship, investor connections and peer learning.
Things to check before you apply
- Plan for the in-person week in the US and for two team members to attend. Check visa timelines early.
- Expect a weekly one-hour live session plus about three hours of other work during the remote weeks.
- You need a legal entity before joining, so have your Indian company registration in order.
- A practical tip: write the nature-inspiration section so a non-scientist can follow it, naming the organism or process you learned from and how the product uses it.
- The page's "Apply today" button pointed to an older 2025 listing when we read it, so confirm the live application link before relying on it.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
What You Get
Each startup in the cohort receives US$15,000 (about ₹14.25 lakh) of non-dilutive capital, provided as a grant, plus more than US$50,000 (about ₹47.5 lakh) worth of in-kind services. These include 1:1 pitch coaching, introductions to mission-aligned climate investors, a four-day Nature Retreat in the US with travel and accommodation covered, storytelling and sustainable business training, and a Demo Day. Alumni keep access to the Institute's network of mentors, corporates and investors.
- Duration
- 6 months
- Cohort size
- 10 startups
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Institute staff and an external Advisory Committee score applications on the problem and market, how disruptive the technology is, how clearly it draws on a strategy from nature, climate and biodiversity impact, and the strength and diversity of the team. Semi-finalists are shared with the Selection Committee in a second phase. No feedback is given at the first screening, though committee feedback may be shared with semi-finalists.
Application Process
- 1
Online application
Complete the online application form in one sitting before the deadline.
You - 2
- 3
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How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ray of Hope Accelerator open for applications now?
No. Applications for the 2026 group closed on 24 April 2026. The official page does not announce a next round. It does say that companies that have changed significantly since applying may reapply and should note those changes.
Can Indian startups apply to the Ray of Hope Accelerator?
Yes. The page says the program is open to applicants worldwide. You need a legal entity before you join and receive the grant, and your team must be able to travel for the in-person week in the US.
How much is the grant?
Each accepted startup receives US$15,000 (about ₹14.25 lakh) in non-dilutive capital, provided as a grant. The page notes the amount may change. The program also provides over US$50,000 (about ₹47.5 lakh) worth of in-kind services.
Does the Biomimicry Institute take equity?
No. The funding is a grant and the Institute takes no equity. The program does not require exclusivity either, so you can work with other funders, programs and customers.
Does it cost anything to apply or take part?
No. There is no application fee and the program is free for accepted startups. Travel and accommodation for the in-person week are covered.
Do I have to travel?
Yes, once. The program is remote apart from a mandatory in-person week in the US that includes a four-day nature immersion. A founder or executive and a second team member must attend.
What stage of startup is it for?
It is aimed at pre-seed, seed and Series A startups. Most have a working prototype and have raised between US$250,000 and US$5 million, but the page says exceptions are evaluated case by case.
What does the weekly time commitment look like?
Each remote week has a one-hour live session on a set topic, usually with outside experts, plus roughly three hours of additional work. At least one executive must stay actively engaged throughout.
What documents or materials do I need?
The page points you to a PDF copy of the form so you can draft answers first, because the online form must be finished in one sitting. You choose up to three UN Sustainable Development Goals and explain the nature inspiration, technology, impact, market and competitive advantage. Do not include proprietary information.
Is there still a prize competition?
No. In 2024 the program became an accelerator and moved away from the prize model.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
