In this episode, Susanne Gløersen, founder of The Future of Fungi Award and Fungi Investment Collective, discusses her mission to build a global ecosystem fueled by fungi innovation.
The conversation covers the multifaceted applications of fungi, from food and materials to packaging and environmental remediation.
Susanne shares the origins of her passion for fungi, the purpose and success of the Future Fungi Award, and the criteria for selecting award winners and investment opportunities. She emphasizes the role of fungi in addressing pressing environmental issues and the importance of collaboration and community in advancing fungi innovation.
Additionally, Susanne dives into the workings of the Fungi Investment Collective, highlighting how it supports pioneering scientists and startups with funding and resources.
Essential for anyone interested in sustainable innovation, this episode unveils the transformative potential of fungi and how it can drive us towards a more balanced and nature-cooperative economy.
Shownotes and Timestamps
00:55 Introduction and Overview of Fungi Innovation
01:55 Susanne's Background and Journey into Fungi
04:48 Mission and Vision for Fungi Innovation
06:38 The Future Fungi Award
08:07 Highlighting Award Winners and Their Innovations
15:06 Support and Collaboration Opportunities
19:22 Introduction to the Fungi Investment Collective
24:46 Building a Network of Science Venture Partners
25:30 Investment Priorities and Criteria
26:54 Funding Ranges and Case Dependency
27:54 Connecting with the Fungi Investment Collective
28:55 Opportunities for Aspiring Venture Partners
32:33 Proud Accomplishments and Network Effects
36:27 Challenges and Learnings as a First-Time Entrepreneur
41:12 Future of Fungi Innovation and Exciting Startups
46:33 Conclusion and Call to Join the Movement
Resources Mentioned:
Awards, Collectives, and Initiatives
- Venture Builder Pilot Program (for top scientists)
- The Mycelium Network (community concept)
Podcasts & Media
Notable Startups & Projects
- Jens Laurids Sørensen (battery out of fungi)
- Nova Biome (textile waste to bioactive compounds for cosmetics, in L'Oreal's accelerator)
- Line Kloster Pedersen, Visibuilt (Danish startup making mycelium binder for asphalt production)
- William Newell, Electromicrobial CO2 fixation project (Imperial College of London)
- Nomy (Norwegian Mycelium, feed for aquaculture)
- Michael Lever (German company, surfactants from fungi)
Conferences & Events
- ChangeNow (largest accessibility conference)
- IMC12 (International Mycology Congress)
- Brilliant Minds (an event where Obama and Malala have spoken)
Corporates & Partners
- L'Oreal (accelerator)
- Novo Holdings (jury pre-screening)
- SEB (Green Tech VC, large Nordic Bank)
Book Recommendations
-Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
Other
- LinkedIn (The Fungi Investment Collective)
- Fungi Investment Collective website/contact form
- Email: Suzanne@fungiinvestmentcollective.com
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Warm Regards from your podcast hosts:
Nehar Mortuza and Søren Spanner Bach
