Welcome to the 2023 Ray of Hope Prize program, and congratulations for being selected as a finalist! You each embody the future of business and sustainability, and we are excited to help you amplify your work. 

We have four goals for this program:

1. Help you communicate your story, and the science behind your technology, to the world.

2. Expose you to a diversity of sustainable business practices.

3. Introduce you to key industry, investor, and media stakeholders to help you amplify your work. 

4. Develop a network of like-minded entrepreneurs .

Of course, we will also help you prepare for the final pitch, after which one team will be awarded the $100,000 grand prize, one team will be awarded the $25,000 runner-up prize, and an additional $25,000 in prizes will be distributed amongst the remaining teams. 

Please carefully review the information on this page, and let us know if you have any questions!

First things first:

• Watch the above informational video

• Bookmark this Google Site

• Check out the Deadlines tab and access your Google Folder

• Sync up to the Google Calendar also as to not miss out on any events

This year's 2023 Ray of Hope Prize 10-week program runs from September 4th to November 10th.

Each week is broken down with materials relevant to a range of topics. We expect you to engage with these materials as they are relevant to you and your organization. We understand that some of these material may be familiar to you already, but ask yourself, "Who else on my team would benefit from this?" and be sure to share and educate not only your executive team but all your employees. 

In addition to the program content on this site, we expect participants to take part in the following:

• Weekly Group Meetings with individuals from either this years cohort, alumni or invited expert speakers. 

• As needed, 1-on-1 coaching sessions with Biomimicry staff and mentors. We suggest a bi-weekly cadence. 

• 1-on-1 meeting with a script writer to inform the script and storyboard for your animated video.

• Every 3 weeks a happy hour to network with your cohort will be organized, please do your best to attend.  

• Outlining your Biomimicry story with an associated Media Kit (this is to inform the Video Scripts and Storyboard): Due Week 4.

• A 1-page executive summary - this will be provided to the judges: Due Week 8

• 10 minute pre-recorded Pitch Presentation - this will be provided to the judges: Due Week 8

Deadlines for the above can be found on the deadline tab.
We will work closely with you during this program to explore all program modules and to complete the associated tasks on time. 

1. Oct 27th: Pitch materials (10-min prerecorded pitch presentation & 1 page executive summary) provided to judging panel.

2. Oct 30 - Nov 3rd: Judges will review materials and may request additional information.

3. Oct 6 & 7: Each startup will be assigned a 15 minute virtual call via Zoom, in which you will be asked to present a one minute elevator pitch followed by Questions and Answers with the judging panel (schedule to be provided closer to the date).

4. Oct 10th: Prize awardees will be announced at a virtual closing ceremony for the Ray of Hope Prize Program. 

See Week 8 & 9 for all you need to know about the Final Pitch Materials..

October 27th: Deadline for Final Executive Summary & Pitch Presentation

November 3rd: Deadline for Final Media Kit