--- title: Meet the Companies Driving Biodiversity Innovation at Our Residency description: Discover how the AMARENA project is building trust in biodiversity markets by leveraging advanced MRV technologies, aligning with global restoration frameworks, and creating opportunities for nature-positive investments. Get involved today! image: https://www.futureforest.de/hubfs/Jahresauftakt%20Newsletter-2.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.futureforest.de/en/news-hub/biodiversity-residency-participants#main-content) [![ffi-initiative-emblem](https://www.futureforest.de/hubfs/ffi-initiative-emblem.svg "ffi-initiative-emblem")](https://www.futureforest.de?hsLang=en) - [HOME](https://www.futureforest.de/en/home) - [Topics](https://www.futureforest.de/en/themen) - [Partners](https://www.futureforest.de/en/community) - [Network](https://www.futureforest.de/en/community#netzwerk) - [Become partner](https://www.futureforest.de/en/community#Mitglied) - [Accelerator](https://www.futureforest.de/en/accelerator) - [Startup Programme](https://www.futureforest.de/en/accelerator) - [Future Forest Accelerator](http://accelerator.futureforest.de/) - [Future GreenTech Incubator](https://www.futureforest.de/en/future-greentech-incubator) - [Venture Club](https://www.futureforest.de/accelerator-venture-club) - [Experts and mentors](https://www.futureforest.de/en/experten#mentor) - [Alumni-Startups](https://www.futureforest.de/startups) - [Innovation Campus](https://www.futureforest.de/en/projekte-rise-with-nature) - [Forum](https://forum.futureforest.de/) - [Review Forum 2025](https://forum.futureforest.de/) - [Review Forum 2024](https://www.futureforest.de/en/future-forest-forum-2024) - [Review Forum 2023](https://www.futureforest.de/en/future-forest-forum-2023) - [We are FFI](https://www.futureforest.de/en/innovation-hub) - [Innovation Hub](https://www.futureforest.de/en/innovation-hub#innovation-hub) - [Castle Blankenburg](https://www.futureforest.de/en/innovation-hub#schloss) - [Contact](https://www.futureforest.de/en/dev/kontakt) - [English](https://www.futureforest.de/en/news-hub/biodiversity-residency-participants) - [Deutsch](https://www.futureforest.de/news-hub/biodiversity-residency-participants-0) English # Meet the Companies Driving Biodiversity Innovation at Our Residency ![Dr. Benjamin Kowalski](https://www.futureforest.de/hs-fs/hubfs/Dr.-Kowalski-Kopie.webp?width=50&height=50&name=Dr.-Kowalski-Kopie.webp) March 19, 2025 [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.futureforest.de%2Fen%2Fnews-hub%2Fbiodiversity-residency-participants%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on email](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check+out+https%3A%2F%2Fwww.futureforest.de%2Fen%2Fnews-hub%2Fbiodiversity-residency-participants%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail&body=Check+out+https%3A%2F%2Fwww.futureforest.de%2Fen%2Fnews-hub%2Fbiodiversity-residency-participants%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)   ## A Market for the Restoration of Nature  Biodiversity loss is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, and the [**EU Nature Restoration Law**](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R1991&qid=1722240349976) has set ambitious, science-based targets to reverse this trend. At the **Future Forest Initiative (FFI)**, we believe that technological innovation is key to achieving these goals. That’s why we launched the **Biodiversity Residency**, a hands-on program where cutting-edge startups refine their solutions in **real-world forest environments**. Mid-March 2025, after an inspiring **Selection Day**, we chose **nine outstanding startups** to join us in our two **Biodiversity Residencies** at **Blankenburg Castle (Harz) and Schloss Neuenhof (Sauerland)**. These startups are at the forefront of **Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) technologies** for biodiversity, bringing innovative tools like **eDNA, bioacoustics, LiDAR, and AI-driven remote sensing** into the forest. Funded by the BMBF under the DATIpilot program, AMARENA is set to reshape the way biodiversity restoration is financed and implemented.  #### 🌱 The Chosen Startups: Pioneering Biodiversity Innovation Each of these startups impressed our expert jury with their approach to measuring key **indicators** of ecosystem health as outlined in the **EU Nature Restoration Law**. Let’s meet them: ![soilytix](https://25114751.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/25114751/hubfs/4-Mar-19-2025-11-17-09-4010-AM.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=4-Mar-19-2025-11-17-09-4010-AM.png) ![Wilder Sensing](https://25114751.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/25114751/hubfs/5-Mar-19-2025-11-18-01-5242-AM.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=5-Mar-19-2025-11-18-01-5242-AM.png) ![biometrio.earth](https://25114751.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/25114751/hubfs/6-Mar-19-2025-11-18-26-8977-AM.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=6-Mar-19-2025-11-18-26-8977-AM.png) ![Nature Robots](https://25114751.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/25114751/hubfs/7-Mar-19-2025-11-18-48-0985-AM.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=7-Mar-19-2025-11-18-48-0985-AM.png) ![Remote Sensing Solutions](https://25114751.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/25114751/hubfs/8-Mar-19-2025-11-19-13-7617-AM.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=8-Mar-19-2025-11-19-13-7617-AM.png) ![fold.ecosystemics](https://25114751.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/25114751/hubfs/9-4.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=9-4.png) ![refinq](https://25114751.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/25114751/hubfs/10-4.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=10-4.png) ![Mozaic Earth](https://25114751.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/25114751/hubfs/11-Mar-19-2025-11-23-43-3930-AM.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=11-Mar-19-2025-11-23-43-3930-AM.png) ![Hula Earth](https://25114751.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/25114751/hubfs/12-Mar-19-2025-11-24-07-3000-AM.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=12-Mar-19-2025-11-24-07-3000-AM.png)   #### 🔬 Meet the Experts: Bridging Science & Innovation Our startups won’t be alone in their journey. Throughout the **Biodiversity Residencies**, they’ll work closely with leading **scientists and forestry practitioners**, including: - **Dr. Anne Arnold** *(Head of NABU Forest Institute Sachsen-Anhalt) -  Expertise lies in the field of forest biogeochemistry, with a particular focus on forest soils.* - **Prof. Dr. Henrik Hartmann** *(Julius Kühn-Institute for Forest Protection) – Specialist in biogeochemistry & forest conservation.* - **Prof. Dr. Jan-Peter Mund** *(Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development) – Remote sensing & geospatial analysis expert.* - **Prof. Dr. Ina Schiering** *(Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences) – Cybersecurity & data governance specialist.* - **Prof. Dr. Dominik Seidel** *(University Göttingen) - Laser scanning, tree and forest assessment, especially beyond biomass.* - **Prof. Detlef F. Sprinz, PhD** *(Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research) – Policy expert on the Nature Restoration Law.* - **Gabriel von dem Bussche** *(Forest owner & business angel) – Connecting startups with real-world forestry challenges.*   #### 🌿 The Nature Restoration Law: Setting the Standards At the heart of our **Biodiversity Residency** is the **EU Nature Restoration Law**, which defines **eight critical indicators** for tracking forest ecosystem health: 1. - 🌲 Standing deadwood  - 🪵 Lying deadwood  - 📊 Share of forests with uneven-aged structure  - ↔️ Forest connectivity  - 🌏 Stock of organic carbon  - 🍃 Share of forests dominated by native tree species  - 🍂 Tree species diversity  - 🐦 Common forest bird index  Set in historic castles "Schloss Blankenburg" and "Schloss Neuenhof" in **Harz and Sauerland**, the residency offers:  - Field trials to validate cutting-edge technologies,  - Networking opportunities with key stakeholders, and  - The chance to scale solutions that align with market needs.  #### The Future of Biodiversity Markets  AMARENA is paving the way for **nature to be fully integrated into financial decision-making**. By establishing a high-integrity framework for biodiversity measurement and market participation, AMARENA builds trust in emerging biodiversity markets.  This project is not just about technology; it’s about empowering businesses, forest managers, and innovators to invest in **nature-positive outcomes** with confidence. Through alignment with policy frameworks, corporate reporting standards, and advanced MRV solutions, AMARENA creates the foundation for ecosystem services to be valued, verified, and invested in at scale.  #### Get Involved Are you a startup revolutionizing biodiversity monitoring technology? A corporate seeking to enhance your nature-positive impact? A forest manager looking to monetize ecosystem restoration?  **🌍 Join us at the [Future Forest Forum at Blankenburg Castle](https://futureforestforum.de/), September 5-6, 2025, to build alliances and restore our planet.**  - ![Biodiversity-Residency-Forst-Roboter](https://www.futureforest.de/hs-fs/hubfs/Biodiversity-Residency-Forst-Roboter.png?width=479&height=710&name=Biodiversity-Residency-Forst-Roboter.png) - ![Biodiversity-Residency-Network-Lagerfeuer](https://www.futureforest.de/hs-fs/hubfs/Biodiversity-Residency-Network-Lagerfeuer.png?width=479&height=710&name=Biodiversity-Residency-Network-Lagerfeuer.png) - ![Biodiversity-Residency-Drohne](https://www.futureforest.de/hs-fs/hubfs/Biodiversity-Residency-Drohne.png?width=479&height=710&name=Biodiversity-Residency-Drohne.png) ![de_hub digital ecosystems](https://www.futureforest.de/hs-fs/hubfs/de_hub%20digital%20ecosystems.png?width=229&height=78&name=de_hub%20digital%20ecosystems.png) ###### Tags: [projects,](https://www.futureforest.de/en/news-hub/tag/projects) [startups](https://www.futureforest.de/en/news-hub/tag/startups) ![Dr. Benjamin Kowalski](https://www.futureforest.de/hs-fs/hubfs/Dr.-Kowalski-Kopie.webp?width=50&height=50&name=Dr.-Kowalski-Kopie.webp) Post by [Dr. Benjamin Kowalski](https://www.futureforest.de/en/news-hub/author/dr-benjamin-kowalski) March 19, 2025 ## Bleibe auf dem Laufenden und unterstütze den Wald In unserem Newsletter fassen wir alles Wichtige für dich zusammen. 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