ARIA: the UK's Advanced Research + Invention Agency
ARIA is a new kind of R&D funding agency. It funds scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of the possible. ARIA was established by the UK Government in January 2023 with high levels of autonomy – granted via the ARIA Act. From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, to meet these head on.
Bridging the funding gap for nature restoration
An interactive “fishbowl” workshop led by Sergey Ivliev at Vlinder Climate, Sergei Nozdrenkov at Wildflow, Frederick Leuschner at GreenTrade and Cecilia Ma at Norrsken VC. This session will explore the critical funding challenges facing nature restoration projects and discuss innovative strategies to bridge this gap. With ecosystems under increasing pressure, the need for sustainable financing models is more urgent than ever. This interactive discussion will bring together experts and participants to share insights, propose solutions, and explore new pathways for mobilising capital for nature restoration efforts.
How to pilot your solution in cities
Urban Impact and Startup Guide are teaming up in this workshop to help you discover piloting opportunities in cities with the help of their latest venture, city.solutions. You will learn how to find, select and win challenge-based innovation programmes and openly share some of our war stories with each other!
Navigating science-tech risks and due diligence
A deep dive into preparing for fundraising readiness for science-tech founders, and robust due diligence practices for climate investors.
Taking capital from climate/impact VCs — truth and myths
The session will delve into the realities of securing capital from climate and impact VCs. It will equip founders with essential knowledge of what climate tech venture capitalists expect, how they contribute to value creation, and how they assess and understand the impact generated by the startups they invest in.
Scaling CDR: Stories of failure and fortitude
t’s not always rainbows and butterflies in the world of carbon direct removal (CDR). Join experts from Third Derivative, Aurum Impact and UNDO as we dive into why CDR is essential—and unpack the unexpected hurdles that come with scaling this critical tech. Engage with UNDO, an enhanced rock weathering start-up, as they share the unique challenges they’ve faced, and learn how setbacks have shaped the path for CDR startups. Let’s break the stigma around setbacks, learn from each other’s struggles, and embrace the challenges of early-stage innovation together!
Amplifying Your Voice: Storytelling for Impact
Ocean Culture Life’s mission is to empower a global community of ocean storytellers and guardians to inspire, educate, and protect. As a marine-focused charity, OCL champions the conservation and enhancement of marine ecosystems, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14. Its founders are Tamsin Raine and Matt Porteous. Tamsin is a storyteller and environmental advocate who spent over a decade in advertising and communications before dedicating her career to giving a voice to the ocean. As co-founder and CEO of OCL, Tamsin leads a passionate community of storytellers and guardians committed to marine conservation. Matt set out to harness his lifelong fascination with human stories, nature and travel, creating a global community aimed at promoting positive narratives about the oceans and their inhabitants. Matt’s passion for storytelling is captured in his ability to weave visual narratives of profound depth, bridging personal experiences with universal truths. His photographic work, which ranges from intimate moments to grand adventures, explores deep emotions and respects the Earth and its oceans. Each of his photographs is more than a moment; it’s a transformative piece of art that speaks directly to the soul.