Deadline Date: January 26, 2026
The Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program supported by LG invites not-for-profits, startups and social enterprise founders with ventures that drive positive change for wildlife, biodiversity and the environment to turn their ideas from vision to reality through expert support and seed funding.
The focus areas of the opportunity are supporting ecopreneurs to take their idea from vision to reality, funding early-stage initiatives that will drive positive change for wildlife, biodiversity and the environment, providing 1-on-1 bespoke support with knowledgeable mentors and experts with skills from across startups, business and for-purpose arenas, personalised guidance from Impact Boom, LG and Taronga’s in-house experts in conservation, sustainability, biodiversity and marketing, working with investors, experts and trainers to develop the perfect pitch and receive a professional pitch video, learning from the best in the business during weekly masterclasses and immersive workshops, joining an alumni network providing exclusive trade benefits, events and continuous collaboration and promotion opportunities, access to online workshops, immersive workshops onsite at Taronga Zoo Sydney, bespoke digital resources and modules created by Impact Boom and access to peer-to-peer support, weekly meetings with a Team Mentor and subject matter experts, and pitching onsite at Taronga Zoo Sydney to a panel of experts and the broader startup community.
Participants will receive $2,000 in equity-free seed funding and will have the chance to win an additional $50,000 as the overall Hatch Grant winner. The program also offers $5,000 prizes for the People’s Choice recipient and the LG Life’s Good Award winner, along with an LG product pack valued at $3,000. Throughout the accelerator, ecopreneurs are supported by a wide network of experienced mentors to help refine their business model and strengthen their impact potential.
The program includes weekly online workshops, two immersive workshops held onsite at Taronga Zoo Sydney, and digital modules designed to help founders develop essential business and conservation-focused skills. Participants will also benefit from professional guidance in sustainability, biodiversity, business growth, investment readiness and marketing.
The accelerator culminates in a pitch event where participants present their initiatives to a panel of experts and the broader startup community. After completion, founders gain ongoing access to the alumni network, unlocking continued collaboration, support and promotional opportunities.
Eligible applicants include early-stage social enterprises or not-for-profits, ecopreneurs with a strong understanding of the environmental issue they are addressing, early-stage startups that have completed a Business Model Canvas or Social Business Canvas, and founders with the technical skills to bring their idea to life. Applicants must demonstrate a collaborative attitude and flexible mindset and be Australian citizens or permanent residents aged 18 years or over.
For more information, visit Taronga Zoo Sydney.
