The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), Conservation X Labs (CXL), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have announced the winners of the Nature Intelligence for Business Grand Challenge, an international initiative designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in understanding and managing nature-related risks and opportunities.
The three winning organizations are Dunya Analytics from the United States, Mozaic Earth from the United Kingdom, and Space Eagle Enterprises from South Africa. The challenge was launched in 2025 to encourage the development of practical, affordable, and accessible tools that help SMEs strengthen resilience and improve environmental decision-making.
Nature intelligence refers to the ability of businesses to identify, assess, and respond to their dependencies on nature, as well as the environmental impacts, risks, and opportunities connected to their operations. According to the organizers, nature-related intelligence is becoming an increasingly important part of business strategy, sustainability planning, and risk management worldwide.
Despite representing approximately 90 percent of businesses globally, SMEs often lack the financial resources, technical capacity, and expertise required to access advanced environmental analytics tools commonly used by large corporations and financial institutions. The challenge was created to help bridge this gap by promoting low-cost and user-friendly solutions tailored to the needs of smaller businesses.
The winning solutions each focus on different aspects of nature intelligence and environmental assessment. Dunya Analytics developed a platform designed to help businesses identify nature-related vulnerabilities and prioritize investment decisions. Mozaic Earth created a smartphone-based platform enabling SMEs to collect environmental data and conduct ecosystem condition assessments at the site level. Space Eagle Enterprises developed products focused on broadband connectivity and next-generation Earth observation intelligence to support governments, businesses, and communities across Africa.
The organizers stated that the challenge attracted more than 380 applications from entrepreneurs and solution providers across 46 countries. Following a multi-stage selection process, 12 finalists were shortlisted in February 2026 and participated in a two-month testing and evaluation phase.
During the testing process, the finalist solutions were piloted by more than 20 SMEs operating across 13 countries and multiple business sectors. The participating businesses tested the tools using the TNFD’s LEAP assessment approach, which focuses on locating, evaluating, assessing, and preparing responses to nature-related dependencies and impacts.
According to TNFD, the winning solutions demonstrated strong technical capabilities, practical usability, and the ability to provide meaningful environmental insights for SME users with limited prior knowledge of nature-related reporting and risk management.
Each winning organization will receive a USD $20,000 solution grant. In addition to the financial support, organizers and advisory partners will continue providing technical guidance, advisory services, and support for future funding and pilot opportunities to help scale access to nature intelligence tools globally.
The initiative also aims to support broader international efforts to strengthen nature-related financial disclosures and sustainable business practices. TNFD noted that over 730 organizations globally, representing more than USD $22 trillion in assets under management, have committed to reporting nature-related issues in alignment with the TNFD recommendations released in 2023.
UNDP officials stated that practical and affordable environmental intelligence tools are increasingly important for helping SMEs strengthen resilience, manage risks, and contribute to more sustainable and inclusive economic systems. The organization emphasized that nature-positive business approaches are becoming essential for long-term competitiveness and sustainability.
The Nature Intelligence for Business Grand Challenge forms part of wider efforts by TNFD, UNDP, and Conservation X Labs to encourage innovation, strengthen environmental accountability, and improve access to sustainability tools for businesses operating across diverse regions and sectors worldwide.
