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FUTURE GREENTECH CHALLENGE

SPECIAL CALL

 

In Partnership with August-wilhelm scheer Institute & Center for Digital Technologies (DIGIT) TU Clausthal

This spring, alongside our regular Open Call, we’re introducing a dedicated track: the Future Greentech Challenge, a special edition of Batch #4 of the Future Forest Accelerator. In collaboration with the August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute and the Center for Digital Technologies (DIGIT) TU Clausthal, this program is tailored for startups leveraging digital technologies to revolutionize the protection, regeneration, and management of natural resources—driving industrial decarbonization and circularity. This 5-week intensive program helps cutting-edge Greentech startups refine their strategy, sharpen their pitch, and connect with the right partners and investors. If your startup is working at the intersection of digital innovation and natural resource sustainability, this is your chance to accelerate your impact.

Is Your Startup Driving the Future of Greentech?
  • Does your startup develop AI-powered, remote sensing, or robotics solutions to monitor and restore ecosystems?
  • Are you working on nature-based carbon capture and storage or smart technologies for more efficient resource management?
  • Do you create next-generation materials that are bio-based, resource-efficient, and climate-neutral?
  • Or are you innovating in circular economy solutions, tackling the reuse, recycling, and upcycling of natural raw materials?

🤔 Working on something different but still shaping the future of forest management and planetary health? Our Open Call is for you!

Challenge Partners

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DIGIT-TU-Clausthal-1

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for young startups (max. 5 years old) that are developing digital technologies for the protection, regeneration, management, and recycling of nature-based resources to drive industrial decarbonization.

Your Profile
  • We are looking for startups developing digital technologies for the protection, regeneration, management, and recycling of nature-based resources to drive industrial decarbonization.
  • Ideally, you should be a pre-seed or seed-stage startup that was founded less than 5 years ago with an existing business model and/or a prototype.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Your startup is not older than 5 years
  • Commitment to participate in the Green Castle Final Sprint (June 5-6) & the Future Forest Forum (September 4-6)
The Fine Print
  • Travel & accommodation expenses will not be covered.
  • Food and external expert costs are covered by the Future Forest Initiative.
  • By applying, you consent to the use of photo and video recordings.
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Why you should apply

🎤 Pitch & Storytelling Mastery

From virtual sessions to live rehearsals, we help you craft a compelling pitch that resonates with investors, partners, and customers.

🚀 Exclusive Access to Experts & Mentors

Connect with top-tier experts in forestry, climate tech, impact investing, startup scaling, and digital transformation. With specialists from Future Forest Initiative, the August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute and our network, you’ll receive real-world advice to drive your venture forward.  

📍 Tailored Milestone Development
Define the critical next steps for your startup. Together, we develop your individual roadmap, ensuring you are well-prepared for the next accelerator stage..
🌱 Zero Cost, Maximum Impact

We believe in accessible innovation. Our equity-free program ensures you receive the best resources without financial barriers.

Your Benefits

Empower founders, gain contacts!

✓ Coaching and 1:1 mentoring sessions with our team, partners and experts network.

✓ Offsite coworking with experts at Future Forest headquarters Blankenburg Castle.

✓ Strong and active alumni and partner network.

Prepare your next financing round! (Pre-Seed to Series A)

✓ Finance bootcamp with investors from our investor network.

✓ Matching events with leading investors in ths segment.

✓ Legal, ESG and tax support.

Product market fit via practical projects!

✓ 1:1 matching with leading industry representatives.

✓ Pitches at the Future Forest Forum and important industry events in Germany and Europe.

✓ Accompanied pilot projects with experienced corporate partners, organisations and research institutes in our real-world laboratory. 

Let's take Greentech to the next level

and validate your innovation, prepare your go-to-market strategy, or get ready for the next investment round!

Future Greentech Challenge

Your Path through the Program

01.

Applications close

30.03.2025

How to apply

1️⃣ Submit your application via this form by 30th of March 2025.

2️⃣ Prepare a challenge-based task and pitch your solution during the Virtual Selection Day on 10th of April 2025.

3️⃣ Selected startups xyzzy.

02.

Virtual Selection Day

11.04.2025

Pitching Time
  • Pitch your solution to a panel of experts, partners, and stakeholders.
  • Engage in challenge-based tasks to demonstrate your technology's potential.
  • Receive personalized feedback and secure your spot in the program.

03.

Meet your Mentor (online)

29.04.2025

Start of Validation Sprint

Connect with top-tier experts in forestry, climate tech, impact investing, and startup scaling, and gain valuable insights tailored to your startup’s needs. Throughout the program, you’ll work closely with your mentors and the Future Forest Initiative team to define personalized milestones. You’ll also receive impulses from leading experts, helping you sharpen your strategy and make informed decisions—all in a fully online format.

 

 

04.

Green Castle Final Sprint @ Schloss Blankenburg

05.06.2025

End of Validation Sprint

Experience a high-energy gathering at Castle Blankenburg, where expert coaches work with you one-on-one to refine your strategy in a hands-on, dynamic setting. This event is designed to accelerate your progress with tailored guidance and interactive sessions. You'll not only sharpen your business model and market approach but also take part in a dedicated finance workshop, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to navigate funding opportunities with confidence.

05.

Demoday & Award @ Future Forest Forum

04.-06.09.2025

Showcase and Scale
You thought you already had access to our great network? Think again—this is our annual highlight event! Unlock the full potential of the Future Forest Forum, where you’ll not only connect with 400+ industry leaders, investors, and policymakers, but also secure a booth at our innovation fair to showcase your solution. Plus, you’ll step onto the big stage to pitch for the Future Forest Award, where a public vote decides the winner.

06.

For Selected Teams: Individual Accelerator

05.06.2025 onwards

Tailored Growth & Execution

For the most promising startups, the journey doesn’t end after the sprint—it evolves. In our exclusive accelerator program, selected teams receive dedicated, hands-on support. You’ll work toward achieving the milestones defined during the validation sprint. Expect deep-dive strategy sessions, targeted introductions to key partners, and personalized guidance to refine your business model, secure funding, and gain traction in the market. This is where vision meets execution—customized to your startup’s unique path to success.

 

Some of the mentors of the Future Greentech Challenge

andreas rausch
Prof. Dr. Andreas Rausch
Center for Digital Technologies TU Clausthal
Geschäftsführender Direktor
Lucas von Fürstenberg-2
Lucas von Fürstenberg
Freiherr von Fürstenberg'sche Forstverwaltung
Forest Owner & Business Angel
Dr. Holger Schmitz
Dr. Holger Schmitz
business elf - Managementberatung GmbH
Entrepreneur & Expert in Sustainability & Impact
Lars ten Bosch
Lars ten Bosch
HAWK Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst
Expert in Business Creation
Max Hempel
Max Hempel
DBU
Finance Expert
Dr. Daniel F. Tomowski
Dr. Daniel F. Tomowski
Wirtschaftsförderung Region Goslar GmbH & Co. KG und TU Clausthal
Technology Expert & Expert in Sustainability and Impact

Your Startup Team

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Wolf Goertz
Co-Founder & CEO Future, Forest Initiative
Wolf is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Future Forest Initiative, leading efforts in sustainable forest management and climate solutions. With expertise in AI innovation and venture building, he drives digital transformation in the food value chain and sustainable ecosystem development.
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Björn Kaminski
Co-Founder & Head of Startup-Innovation & Impact, Future Forest Initiative
Björn has 15+ years of experience in the startup ecosystem, including being a jury member of the DBU Green Startups Programme and co-initiator of the Green Startup Monitor.
Ellen Goel - Portrait
Ellen Goel
Head of Center for Digital GreenTech, August-Wilhelm Scheer Institut
Ellen is a passionate ex-entrepreneur and educator with 10+ years of experience in creating and leading innovative projects and programs that have a positive social and environmental impact. She supported more than 70 startups in the pre-seed stage in Germany and Singapore.
Urs Liebau - Kopie
Urs Liebau
Digitalization Professional, August-Wilhelm Scheer Institut
Urs is a project developer in the field of sustainable software assets, particularly in the areas of alternative proteins and biodiversity. As a networker, he always finds the right partners from politics, research institutes or companies. One of his specialities is the involvement of young companies in research proposals.

Join the Future Greentech Challenge!

Success Stories

  • By participating in the Future Forest Initiative 2022 Accelerator, we were able to grow enormously - it was an absolute game changer for us. We still benefit greatly from this network today.
    Michelle Spitzer
    Founder eco:fibr
  • We have now received EIP funding for our project in which we grow functional mushrooms in the forest. Thank you Future Forest Initiative for accompanying us to this great opportunity!
    Jana Baltscheit
    Founder Lykaia Nutrition

Q&A

❓What is the Future Forest Accelerator?

The Future Forest Accelerator is a structured program designed to help early-stage startups (max. 5 years old) in forestry, climate tech, and impact-driven innovation refine their strategy, sharpen their pitch, and connect with industry leaders, investors, and partners. The program includes a 5-week validation sprint, expert mentorship, and access to a high-profile network.

❓What can I expect during the Validation Sprint?

The 5-week sprint is an intensive period where you’ll work closely with mentors to define your business model, market approach, and funding strategy. It includes tailored guidance, peer exchange, and interactive workshops, all designed to prepare you for scaling and fundraising. Together, we will define milestones for your next steps. 

❓Is the program remote or in person?

Most of the validation sprint is online, but we also host an in-person Final Sprint at Castle Blankenburg and offer the chance to showcase your startup at the Future Forest Forum.

❓What happens after the Validation Sprint?

Selected startups get the chance to enter our Individual Accelerator, where they receive tailored, ongoing support to implement the milestones set during the sprint, refine their market approach, and gain traction with partners and investors.

❓What is the difference between the Future Greentech Challenge and the Open Call?
  • The Open Call is for a broad range of forestry, climate tech, and impact-driven startups.
  • The Future Greentech Challenge specifically targets digital technologies and innovative solutions for nature-based resources and industrial decarbonization. It includes mentorship from experts at the August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute and a strong focus on digital transformation in the Greentech space.
❓Will I still be part of the broader Future Forest Accelerator if I join the Future Greentech Challenge?

Yes! Startups in the Future Greentech Challenge participate in the same structured Validation Sprint, alongside other startups from the Open Call. However, you’ll receive additional input and mentorship from the digitalization experts at the August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute.

❓Is the Future Greentech Challenge also remote?

Yes, most of the program is virtual, but selected startups will have in-person opportunities at the Green Castle Final Sprint and the Future Forest Forum.

Unsere Programme für eure Innovationen

Wir bieten im Rahmen des europaweit ersten Accelerators für Wald & Klima individuelle Programmformate an, in denen euch als Startup mit Wald- und Klimabezug, ein passgenauer Zugang zu Mentor:innen und Expert:innen, zu potentiellen Investor:innen sowie Umsetzungspartnern geboten wird. In unserem Accelerator-Programm #accelerate vernetzen wir euch mit Waldbesitzenden und relevanten Stakeholdern aus Unternehmen, Wissenschaft und Politik, begleiten und organisieren Pilotprojekte und initiieren strategische Partnerschaften für euren erfolgreichen Markeinstieg.

FUTURE FOREST #ACCELERATE

FUTURE FOREST (7)

Als reifere Startups unterstützen wir euch in unserem Programm #accelerate bei eurer Go-To-Market Strategie. Kern der Säule #accelerate ist ein mehrmonatiges Accelerator-Programm mit Präsenz- und Online-Formaten und dem Finale (Demo Day) beim Future Forest Forum auf dem beeindruckenden Schloss Blankenburg im Harz. Dafür stellen wir euch u.a. ein Netzwerk aus über 40 Mentor:innen zur Verfügung, das euch bei euren Milestones unterstützt, sowie attraktive Partner, mit denen ihr eure Lösungen optimieren könnt. Die Programmsprache ist größtenteils englisch, da sich #accelerate auch an internationale Startups aus ganz Europa richtet. Mehr Infos unten und hier im Flyer.

Unser Fokus

Der Fokus unseres #accelerate Programms liegt auf Impact-Startups aus dem Wald-, Holz- und ClimateTech-Umfeld, die eine unternehmerische Zielsetzung verfolgen. Wir unterstützen dabei insb. Startups der Pre-Seed und Seed-Stage mit einem vorhandenen Prototyp oder einem bestehendem Business Modell. Thematisch bewegen wir uns dabei in den 3 Säulen Smart Forestry (z.B. Robotik), Ecosystem Services  (z.B. Stärkung der Biodiversität) und Climate Solutions (z.B. Agroforst & Bioecomomy).

jetzt bewerben

Ablauf #accelerate 2023

Phase 1 - Bewerbung für den Validation-Sprint

Nach eurer Bewerbung für Batch#2 unseres Startup-Programms bis spät. 04.04.2023 werden wir bereits am 06. April eine Entscheidung treffen, welche Startups dieses Jahr dabei sein werden, und euch umgehend informieren. #accelerate ist in 2 Phasen aufgeteilt. In Sprint 1 validiert ihr mit Hilfe von Mentoren euere Innovation und qualifiziert euch für die Incubation-Phase. Werdet ihr dafür ausgewählt geht es in diversen Sessions mit unseren Partnern um die Entwicklung einer Go-to-market Strategie, konkrete Kooperationsprojekte oder Finanzierungsoptionen. Individuell nach eurem Bedarf.

Falls du nicht die passende Antwort auf deine Frage gefunden hast, schreib uns doch einfach an!