Empowering Small Businesses to Harness Nature Intelligence for a Sustainable Future The Nature Intelligence for Business Grand Challenge is a global initiative calling for innovative solutions that make nature-related assessments accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) worldwide. With over $100,000 in funding and incentives, the challenge invites innovators to develop tools and approaches that enable SMEs to understand and manage their dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities related to nature. Application Deadline: Monday, 15 December 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. Why Nature Intelligence Matters Businesses across all sectors rely on nature — for raw materials such as water, timber, and fertile soils, for ecosystem services such as pollination and climate regulation, and to mitigate exposure to environmental risks like floods or wildfires. Yet, global biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, threatening both ecological and economic resilience. The Grand Challenge recognizes that business resilience depends on nature’s resilience. It aims to empower SMEs — which make up more than 90% of the world’s businesses — to better manage their interactions with the natural world. By integrating nature intelligence into business planning, SMEs can not only contribute to planetary well-being but also strengthen their competitiveness and long-term sustainability. The Mission The central mission of the challenge is to create breakthrough solutions that democratize access to nature intelligence. While large corporations are increasingly integrating environmental data into their decision-making, smaller businesses often lack the tools, expertise, and financial capacity to do so. The challenge seeks innovations that are: Affordable and accessible for SMEs, including those in low- and middle-income countries; User-friendly, requiring minimal technical or environmental expertise; Scalable and adaptable across regions, industries, and languages; Data-driven, providing location-specific insights and actionable guidance; and Aligned with international frameworks, including the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) LEAP approach. Solutions should help a coffee farmer in Kenya, a textile manufacturer in Bangladesh, or a small tourism operator in Brazil to measure, understand, and act on their nature-related impacts and risks — integrating sustainability into daily business operations. Areas of Innovation The Nature Intelligence for Business Grand Challenge welcomes ideas that use emerging data tools and technologies to simplify environmental assessment and decision-making for SMEs. These might include: Digital platforms that visualize nature-related risks or dependencies; Mobile tools for monitoring ecosystem services and resource use; Artificial intelligence or remote sensing solutions for biodiversity data interpretation; Decision-support systems for sustainable supply chain management; or Open-access databases linking environmental data with financial and operational metrics. The objective is to make nature intelligence actionable — turning complex environmental information into clear, practical business insights. Eligibility and Participation Applicants are encouraged to review the Innovator Handbook, which outlines eligibility, participation terms, and detailed criteria. Submissions may come from: Startups, SMEs, or social enterprises; Research institutions or nonprofit organizations; Technology developers and innovators working in environmental data, finance, or sustainability. Solutions should ideally align with the TNFD LEAP framework, addressing how SMEs can Locate, Evaluate, Assess, and Prepare for nature-related risks and opportunities. Existing tools or early-stage concepts that can be adapted to SME contexts are also eligible. Partners and Support The initiative is powered by a global coalition led by Conservation X Labs, with funding from the Government of Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI), and in partnership with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). These partners bring together expertise in climate finance, biodiversity, and technological innovation to ensure that selected solutions not only receive funding but also benefit from mentorship, visibility, and global implementation pathways. Organizations and funders interested in advancing nature-positive business practices are invited to join the coalition. Partnership opportunities are available for those seeking to strengthen SMEs’ capacity for environmental management and to lead in sustainable business innovation. Beyond the Prize: A Global Movement The Nature Intelligence for Business Grand Challenge is more than a funding opportunity — it is a movement to redefine how businesses engage with nature. It aims to bridge the gap between sustainability science and business strategy, giving SMEs the tools they need to thrive in a changing world. Winners and participants will contribute to the development of scalable, equitable, and future-ready models for nature-positive economies, supporting global biodiversity and aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). How to Apply Interested innovators can access detailed guidance and application materials via the official Challenge Portal and the Innovator Handbook, available on the Conservation X Labs website. Applications close on Monday, December 15, 2025 (11:59 PM ET). VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the funding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.