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Biomimicry.org | AskNature.org


BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE

DESIGN FOR LIFE.The Biomimicry Global Design Challenge is an annual competition hosted by the Biomimicry Institute, in partnership with the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, that invites people around the world to address critical sustainability issues using nature as a guide.

We believe that, by applying nature’s design strategies, we can create innovative solutions that help support a healthy planet. Through this Challenge, the Biomimicry Institute’s goals are to provide biomimicry learning opportunities and to build an artery of sustainable innovation inspired by nature to help bring more biomimetic solutions to market.



Our goals for the 2015 Challenge:• 500 teams participating

• 50 countries represented

• 1,000 new individuals with basic biomimicry training

• At least one new biomimetic product on the market.



Hans Hillewaert Marco Carrubba

Biomimicry is the practice of adapting nature’s best lessons to the invention of healthier, more sustainable technologies for people.



“The core idea is that nature, imaginative by necessity, has already solved many of the problems we are grappling with. Animals, plants, and microbes are the consummate engineers. They have found what works, what is appropriate, and most important, what lasts here on Earth…

The conscious emulation of life’s genius is a survival strategy for the human race, a path to a sustainable future. The more our world functions like the natural world, the more likely we are to endure on this home that is ours, but not ours alone.”

- Janine Benyus


BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE Biomimicry.org | AskNature.org



FOOD SYSTEMSIn 2015 and 2016 the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge will focus on our food system.

Challenge entrants must: Look to the abundance of lessons nature has to offer and develop a biomimetic design that solves an important food system challenge while protecting the health of the planet.


ESSENTIAL INFOEligibility and Categories

•The Challenge is open to high school students, university students, and professionals.

•Teams are required; individuals may not submit.

•Students may compete in a Student-only category, or enter the Open category.

•Up to 10 Finalists from the Open category will be eligible to compete in the subsequent prototype round, which will award the $100,000 “Ray of Hope Prize”.


ESSENTIAL INFORegistration

•Registration provides access to our Biomimicry Design Challenge Toolbox, online sessions with biomimicry professionals and other subject matter experts, and access to the community forum.

•Registration is free, but teams are required to pay an entry fee in order to submit their work for judging.

•Entry fees:

• Open category – $100

• Student category – $40


PRIZESStudent category •1st prize: $5,000•2nd prize: $2,500•3rd prize: $1,000

Open CategoryThe Open category will award a combination of substantial cash prizes and mentorship and incubation support (details TBA).

Up to 10 finalists will be eligible to compete for the Ray C. Anderson Foundation’s $100,000 “Ray of Hope” Prize in a subsequent prototype round.


2015 TIMELINE19 January •2015 Challenge opens; Begin online registration

3 August: •Submissions due

7 August – 7 September: •Preliminary judging

October (dates TBD):•Pitch event for finalists; awards ceremony in USA•Prototype round begins for finalists•2016 Challenge opens


Challenge.Biomimicry.org


OPPORTUNITIES


• Challenge: Growing food in resource constrained conditions• Inspiration: Seed dispersal by animals• Solution: Box that provides water, buffers temperature, and encourages root

growth

Photos from Groasis

EXAMPLE | FOOD PRODUCTION


EXAMPLE | DISTRIBUTION

• Challenge: Post-harvest spoilage• Inspiration: Honeybee hive maintenance• Solution: Humidity and temperature control through evaporation


EXAMPLE | RESOURCE RECOVERY

• Challenge: Water quality• Inspiration: Wetland• Solution: Ecosystem of organisms to clean water for reuse

USFWS

To improve our food system…

We will need solutions at a variety of scales and in a variety of sectors, all working together.

What will you focus on?

How will your design make a difference?



Challenge.Biomimicry.org

biomimicry.org | asknature.org. biomimicry institute design for life. the biomimicry global design...

Documents

waterboxx design

local level

systemslevel thinking

subset of bioinspired

groasis waterboxx

sustainable future

global level

way nature sows seeds