KPMG launches 2025 Nature Positive Challenge

13 October 2025

• 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 a panel of expert judges
• An additional $20,000 People’s Choice Prize for the startup who wins the KPMG staff vote.

KPMG Australia has today launched the KPMG Nature Positive Challenge 2025 to champion and support innovative eco startups to build scalable businesses that have a positive impact on nature and the environment. The Challenge is open to startups in Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea (PNG) and includes a dedicated Australian First Nations Category to highlight the ongoing and significant contribution that Indigenous knowledge brings to our natural ecosystems.

KPMG Australia CEO, Andrew Yates said: “Now entering its fourth year, the KPMG Nature Positive challenge has helped champion some of the region’s most exciting startups working to solve big ecological challenges. This year, we are focussing on two fast-growing sectors within the nature positive ecosystem: AI enabled solutions and startups supporting the circular economy. We are also proud to continue to recognise innovative startups, social enterprises and impact ventures in a dedicated First Nations startups category.”

Past winners of the KPMG Nature Positive Challenge include plastic alternatives biotech Uluu (which went on to raise $8 million in seed funding and collaborate with Quiksilver) and Levur, the synthetic palm oil alternative that raised $1.2 million in May this year.

Tom Collier, Founder and CEO of Levur – the 2024 KPMG Nature Positive Prize winner, said: “Winning the KPMG Nature Positive Challenge is a powerful affirmation of the mission our team is committed to: replacing unsustainable palm oil with a scalable, high-quality alternative through synthetic biology - while protecting the planet.”

“The $100,000 prize and KPMG’s generous support have enabled us to accelerate to the next stage in our journey. The KPMG Team has been very supportive - offering guidance, introductions, and access to the KPMG High Growth Ventures team, which has been fantastic. We encourage other sustainability-focused startups to apply for the 2025 Nature Positive Challenge, so they might benefit from the relationship with KPMG as Levur has,” he added.

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 Monday 13 October to Sunday 9 November 2025.

An expert panel of judges have been tasked with determining the five winners: Kyah Bell, Co-Founder & Partner at the Black Excellence Fund, Darren Grover, Head of Regenerative Country at WWF-Australia, Patty Akopiantz, Chair of Environmental Leadership Australia and non-executive Director, KPMG Australia, Josh Geelan, Global Private Enterprise ESG Lead at KPMG Australia and John Munnelly, Chief Digital Officer, KPMG Australia.

KPMG Nature Positive Challenge 2025 – 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:
  • AI for nature - Startups with solutions that harness artificial intelligence to accelerate the regeneration of natural systems, tackle biodiversity loss and drive innovative solutions; and
  • Circular by nature - Startups helping to transform resource use to regenerate nature, reduce waste and build a resilient, nature-positive economy.
• 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 cash injection.
• An additional $20,000 will be awarded to one of the five finalists following a ‘People’s Choice’ vote by KPMG staff.
• The dedicated Australian First Nations category recognises an innovative startup, social enterprise or impact venture that is Indigenous owned or controlled.
• KPMG will also connect the startups to beneficial industry, business, science, knowledge and community partners, and impact investors.
• Applications will be open from 13 October until 9 November 2025, with the KPMG Nature Positive Prize to be awarded in early 2026.

For further information on the KPMG Nature Positive Challenge visit www.kpmg.com/au/naturepositive