- A $250,000 pool of bespoke consulting, tax and accounting services for five finalists to help scale-up and grow their nature-positive impact
- $100,000 Nature Positive Prize to be awarded to the winning venture as selected by an expert panel
- An additional $20,000 People’s Choice Prize for the startup who wins the KPMG staff vote
- New this year: a dedicated Australian First Nations category
- Two new themes: regenerative economy and sustainable food systems
KPMG Australia CEO, Andrew Yates said: “Nature Positive has now entered mainstream corporate consciousness and increasingly influencing how businesses operate. Our Challenge focuses on two fast-growing sectors within the nature positive ecosystem: regenerative economy and sustainable food systems.”
“A new category for First Nations startups reflects that these communities, through traditional knowledge and practices, continue to play a leading role in promoting a harmonious relationship with the land and to innovate to protect our ecosystems. We also want to recognise the growth potential of Indigenous businesses to the Australian economy and contribution to our environment.”
Now in its third year, past winners of the KPMG Nature Positive Challenge include plastic alternatives biotech Uluu (which has gone on to raise $8 million in seed funding and collaborate with Quiksilver), and biodiversity data platform startup Xylo Systems (which expects to hit $1 million in turnover next year).
Camille Goldstone-Henry, Co-founder & CEO of Xylo Systems – winner of last year’s KPMG Nature Positive Prize, said: "Winning the KPMG Nature Positive Challenge was a game-changer for us. The funding accelerated the launch of our platform, positioning us as a leader in biodiversity tech and attracting global clients. Partnering with KPMG’s nature and biodiversity experts sharpened our alignment with global nature frameworks, further enhancing our value to international customers."
With $370,000 value in combined advisory support and prize money up for grabs this year, the firm is now calling for applications from innovative ventures working on ideas, solutions and technology that deliver nature positive outcomes. The KPMG Nature Positive Challenge will be open to applications from Thursday 10 October to Friday 8 November 2024.
An expert panel of judges have been tasked with determining the five winners: Jawun CEO, Shane Webster; Climate Salad co-founder, Mick Liubinskas and WWF-Australia Chief Regeneration Officer, Nicole Forrester will join KPMG Enterprise ESG lead, Josh Geelan, and KPMG Natural Capital & Biodiversity Lead, Carolin Leeshaa, on the judging panel.
KPMG Nature Positive Challenge 2024 – at a glance
- Helping ventures that accelerate positive outcomes for nature and biodiversity in Australia, Fiji and PNG.
- Open to the most innovative startups and impact ventures working on ideas, solutions and technology focusing on two key themes:
- Regenerative economy – Startups with solutions that support nature regeneration and practices that rebuild natural capital and ecosystems. This includes ventures scaling regenerative economies such as biodiversity carbon credit infrastructure and restoration projects; and
- Sustainable food systems – Startups helping to track or prevent generation of food waste, enhancing nature and biodiversity while maximising productive landscapes. This includes ventures promoting sustainable agriculture and responsible consumption and production, in harmony with nature.
- Five ventures will share a $250,000 pool of services including access to KPMG business leaders and specialist teams to help take their venture to the next level.
- The ultimate KPMG Nature Positive Prize of $100,000 to be granted to the winning startup, as a no strings attached cash injection.
- An additional $20,000 will be awarded to one of the five finalists following a ‘People’s Choice’ vote by KPMG staff.
- KPMG will also connect the startups to beneficial industry, business, science, knowledge and community partners, and impact investors.
- Applications will be open from 10 October until 8 November 2024, with the KPMG Nature Positive Prize to be awarded in early 2025.
For further information
Ashford Pritchard
KPMG
0411 020 680
apritchard2@kpmg.com.au
