E59 #StartupStory "Enabling Fungi Innovation to Solve Humanity’s Largest Challenges" with Susanne Gløersen

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

- Fungi Investment Collective

- Venture Builder Pilot Program (for top scientists)

- The Mycelium Network (community concept)

Podcasts & Media

- The Future is Fungi Podcast

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