Powered by Singapore-based family office Silverstrand with the support of global investment firm Temasek and conservation organisation Mandai Nature, the high-touch three-month Biodiversity Accelerator program is targeted towards startups in the South-East Asia region who are working on innovations to protect the biological diversity of the planet.
From the world’s first 3d printed reef tile to drones helping provide data points on endangered species, Wilderlands is amongst impressive company and have developed a solution that enables individuals to permanently protect their very own square metre of high value conservation land through the purchase of a new Biological Diversity Unit that is the first of its kind.
Wilderlands CEO Ash Knop said the chance to be part of a program so tailored to nature-technology and nature-based businesses was a huge drawcard and saw great benefit being surrounded by other startups focused on solutions in the environmental space.
“The fact that we’re now seeing startup accelerators specifically tailored to supporting those founders tackling nature-based solutions shows the tide is shifting and more bright minds are taking up the biggest challenge of our time – protecting the planet – and VC’s are taking note.”
Ash Knop
The selection process for this inaugural program had been very rigorous including multiple interviews with experienced leaders and an extensive panel to determine the final 8.
“We’re incredibly proud to have been selected to be part of a global program and be the only startup representing Australia in the cohort and are amongst such a talented mix of teams. We can’t wait to meet the founders when we travel to Singapore for the induction this week.”
Ash Knop
“When we speak to people in Australia and present the vision of being able to start protecting nature – one square metre at a time – it has certainly resonated across both consumers as well as corporate organisations. We don’t, however, know if this messaging will have the same impact across borders so we need to test that.”
Ash Knop
Having only recently launched and generated a lot of local attention, Knop said the startup was eager to deepen their understanding of what it takes to bring a solution like Wilderlands to the world and test the premise within different markets.
“We’re eager to not only connect with the brilliant marketing minds who are mentors of this program and learn from them, but also build our network with other prospective land-holders and conservation organisations in the region who might be interesting in bringing their projects onto the platform in years to come.”
Ash Knop
The Biodiversity Accelerator will conclude on the 31st of October with the 8 teams taking part in a Demo Day in Korea designed to get the startups in front of investors and unlock capital from Silverstrand and other funders.
The teams who will be presenting alongside Wilderlands are archiReef, Torajamelo, Resolve, GroundUp Conservation, Wild Asia, and Wildlife Drones.
This will be the second Accelerator Program that Wilderlands have been part of having been selected amongst the cohort of the University of Melbourne’s MAP Velocity Program and presented the startup in front of a large audience at their Demo Day earlier this year.
