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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.

Biomimicry.org | AskNature.org BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE 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.

Biomimicry.org | AskNature.org BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE Hans Hillewaert Marco Carrubba Biomimicry is the practice of adapting nature’s best lessons to the invention of healthier, more sustainable technologies for people.

Biomimicry.org | AskNature.org BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE “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.org | AskNature.org BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTEBiomimicry.org | AskNature.org BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE Challenge.Biomimicry.org

BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTEBiomimicry.org | AskNature.org FOOD SYSTEMS In 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.

BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTEBiomimicry.org | AskNature.org ESSENTIAL INFO Eligibility 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”.

BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTEBiomimicry.org | AskNature.org ESSENTIAL INFO Registration 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

BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTEBiomimicry.org | AskNature.org PRIZES Student category 1 st prize: $5,000 2 nd prize: $2,500 3 rd prize: $1,000 Open Category The 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.

BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTEBiomimicry.org | AskNature.org 2015 TIMELINE 19 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

BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTEBiomimicry.org | AskNature.org Challenge.Biomimicry.org

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Biomimicry.org | AskNature.org OPPORTUNITIES

BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTEBiomimicry.org | AskNature.org 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

BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTEBiomimicry.org | AskNature.org EXAMPLE | DISTRIBUTION Challenge: Post-harvest spoilage Inspiration: Honeybee hive maintenance Solution: Humidity and temperature control through evaporation

BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTEBiomimicry.org | AskNature.org 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?

Biomimicry.org | AskNature.org BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE

Biomimicry.org | AskNature.org BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE Challenge.Biomimicry.org