Guy Dixon
This program aims to support not-for-profit or social enterprise founders or start-ups with their ventures to drive positive change for wildlife, biodiversity and the environment.
Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: $50,000
- Application opened: 3 November 2025
- Application closes: 26 January 2026
Program objective
The Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program aims to drive innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing conservation, climate and environmental challenges. If you are an eco-startup with a brilliant idea, product or service, Taronga wants to hear from you. This 14 week business development program is designed to help turn your big idea into real-world impact.
Program highlights:
- 14 weekly bespoke business development sessions (delivered through our online portal), plus weekly mentoring and ongoing support (valued at over $30,000)
- Equity-free seed funding ($2000 per initiative)
- Two 2-day immersive development weekends at Taronga Zoo Sydney (travel and accommodation are included)
- Expert advice from Impact Boom, Entrepreneur in Residence and delivery partner
- Access to top mentors and subject matter experts, including Taronga’s experts in conservation, science, education and community engagement
- A peer group of like-minded innovators and thought leaders
- The opportunity to pitch for the $50,000 grant, the $5,000 People's Choice Award or the $5,000 LG Life's Good Award
This program is funded and administered by Taronga Conservation Society Australia and The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Eligibility
The Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program provides funding and support for eco-startups and founders to deliver positive environmental impact.
Who can apply
Applications are open to individuals and teams, with a maximum team size of 3 people.
All applicants must meet the eligibility criteria found in the eligibility requirements.
Who can’t apply
Applicants/applicant organisations who are not located within Australia or initiatives that do not deliver benefits within Australia. Organisations that generate above $150,000 in revenue per annum.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Not-for-profit or social enterprise founders with a venture that will drive positive change for wildlife and/or the environment.
Key requirements are that your idea is:
- targeted to address a key conservation or environmental challenge;
- an innovative approach to address the issue you’re targeting;
- designed to make a positive impact on the natural environment;
- aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Taronga’s 360 degree approach to conservation;
- a concept, pre-launch or early stage venture – you bring the concept, we’ll help you to assess, test and validate it;
- is established as, or plans to develop into, a not-for-profit or social enterprise organisation, and;
- has potential to scale up for ever greater impact over time.
Example projects
Eco-startups:
- Good-Edi - who created the first edible take-away coffee cup.
- Carapac - a sustainable, durable, home compostable plastic packaging alternative made from crustacean shell waste.
- ReHabitat - a modular, biodegradable refuge for ground dwelling mammals after natural disasters.
- The Groundswell Collective - Tiny Forests - Small yet complete ecosystems, that boast a plethora of environmental and social benefits that bring communities together.
What your application needs to include
Download the application guide (PDF 210.42KB) to see all the sections that need to be addressed.
Address the eligibility criteria
All applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Citizenship, age and location:
- Australian citizens or permanent residents
- 18 years or over
- located within Australia, and the initiative must deliver benefits within the country.
Organisational status:
- applicants or applicant organisations must fall into 1 of the following categories:
- not-for-profit organisation
- social enterprise (with at least 50% of annual profits reinvested towards the social purpose)
- individuals or teams aspiring to establish themselves as not-for-profit or social enterprise organisations.
- If applying as an existing organisation, your annual revenue should likely be less than $150,000.
Focus areas:
- practically address a current environmental or conservation issue
- demonstrate an innovative, new, or creative approach to addressing environmental or conservation issues
- align with one or more relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- support Taronga’s 360-degree approach to conservation, focusing on wildlife, habitats, and communities. The initiative must directly impact at least one of the three areas, and directly or indirectly impact on the other two areas.
Get more information about Taronga's 360-degree approach to conservation.
Address the assessment criteria
The applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
- targeted to address a key conservation or environmental challenge
- an innovative approach to address the issue you’re targeting
- designed to make a positive impact on the natural environment
- aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Taronga’s 360 degree approach to conservation (see below)
- a concept, pre-launch or early stage venture – you bring the concept, we’ll help you to assess, test and validate it
- is established as, or plans to develop into, a not-for-profit or social enterprise organisation
- has potential to scale up for ever greater impact over time.
Start the application
Applications can be made via the Taronga Hatch website.
After the application is submitted
Applications will be reviewed, and shortlisted teams will be asked to provide further information. Shortlisted teams will also be required to undertake an interview with our selection panel. Interviews will be conducted via video conference for all applicants.
The applications will be assessed and both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified. Successful applications will be decided by: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (Taronga Conservation Society Australia).