Report on the Outcomes of Regional Nature-based Entrepreneurship Strategies including a Report on the Outcomes of NbE Showcases WP5, Task 5.3

This report relates to WP5 Task 5.3: Towards NbS Readiness Assistance – Skills Development and Capacity Building. The purpose of this task is to work with the Living Labs and their funded partners in Invest4Nature to support the development of a regional nature-based economy, which in turn will support the startup and growth of Nature-based Enterprises.

The objectives of this report are firstly, to support each Living Lab to develop a customised approach to supporting Nature-based Enterprises (NbEs) and stimulating the Nature-based Economy in each region. Secondly, Nature-based Enterprises are supported in their skills development and enabled to develop sustainable business models and finance plans for start-up and growth.
The key results/findings of this report are as follows:
 

Each Living Lab produced its own nature-based entrepreneurship support strategy.
Key highlights include:

• Poznan’s proposed identification and engagement of NbEs to deliver nature-based interventions in the Główna neighbourhood (underway since May 2026);
• Aarhus’ strategy for supporting farmers to convert to nature-stewards (future implementation based on funding);
• Norway’s mapping and strategy for future testing of business models for ecosystem restoration in the Oslofjord;
• Cascais’ early efforts at stakeholder mapping and engagement;
• Tirol’s (Klimabuendnis - KBT) delivery of internal workshops and a survey to establish the opportunities for scaling up NbS and NbEs.

Whilst much more can and needs to be done to foster Nature-based Entrepreneurship in the Living Labs, the groundwork has been laid by the Living
Labs for future initiatives to promote the emergence and growth of this vital business sector.
 

Living Labs contend with key challenges that hamper the uptake of nature-based entrepreneurship strategies, including:

• lack of recognition/awareness of NbE as a distinct business sector, 
• limited scalability and investment prospects of NbEs,
• procurement barriers to NbEs tendering contracts, and limited supply or pool of NbEs.

There are, however key enablers that can be used to leverage the uptake of NbE strategies, including:

• a strong public or political appetite for NbS/green transition,
• existing partnerships and pilots between Living Labs and Nature-based Enterprises,
• and knowledge sharing activities that promote NbS and the market demand for products and services of NbEs.

Thirteen Nature-based Enterprises were selected to participate in an investment readiness training programme with the following results:

• 5 took part in EU Green Week’s Marketplace organised by DG ENV. 
• 3 were selected through a competitive process to pitch at EU Green Week’s ReInvest in Nature. 
• 1 prize winner in their pitching category at EU Green Week. 
• 3 received detailed feedback and questions from the jury on their pitches. 
• At least 3 are building investor relationships and/or pursuing opportunities for collaboration resulting from their presence at EU Green Week. 
• 8 selected to pitch at a specially tailored event at London Climate Action Week, bringing investors and NbEs together. 

At least 6 are following up on leads (i.e. potential investment, collaborations) resulting from their presence at London Climate Action Week.
 Based on the experience of these two Nature-based Enterprise showcases, the following set of recommendations for future editions have been provided:

The value proposition for NbEs – “What’s in it for me?” – should be prominent in the design and delivery of a NbE showcase.

• Matchmaking success is enhanced by the declaration of investors and their investment interests in advance of the event and a formal panel of investor
  judges offering feedback is a necessary component of the pitches.
• Preparatory pitch and investment readiness training is essential to the success of the pitching event. Constructive feedback and peer-to-peer learning enhance the effectiveness of training provision.
• There is no one-size-fits-all showcase for NbEs. If the showcase is geared towards more innovative and scalable offerings, ensure that growth ambitions, stage of investment and Technology Readiness Levels are reflected both in the criteria for NbE participation and in the invitee list of investors and funders.

Brophy, M., Fletcher, I., Dziubala, A., Bronikowska, M., Nørgaard Telling, L., Holm, M., Coelho, B., Mourits-Andersen, S. & Chen, W.