Biodiversity loss is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, and the EU Nature Restoration Law 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.
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:
Our startups won’t be alone in their journey. Throughout the Biodiversity Residencies, they’ll work closely with leading scientists and forestry practitioners, including:
At the heart of our Biodiversity Residency is the EU Nature Restoration Law, which defines eight critical indicators for tracking forest ecosystem health:
Set in historic castles "Schloss Blankenburg" and "Schloss Neuenhof" in Harz and Sauerland, the residency offers:
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.
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, September 5-6, 2025, to build alliances and restore our planet.