Nature-based enterprises that are owned and/or led by women may apply for this incubator program. 

Applications are now open for Nature2Nurture, a gender-smart incubator program for nature-based enterprises. The program is looking for enterprises that are dedicated to finding solutions that restore biodiversity, support local communities, and bolster resilience to climate change. 

A business incubator is a program that gives very early-stage companies access to mentorship, investors, and other support to help them get established, according to the BDC. Specifically, those that focus on the following are encouraged to apply for the incubation program: 

• Ecosystems Creation, Restoration, and Management
• Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production
• Sustainable Forestry and Biomaterials
• Sustainable Tourism and Community Health and Wellbeing

Behind the Nature2Nurture incubation program is social enterprise incubator Villgro Philippines. Villgro Philippines seeks to utilize entrepreneurship in creating positive social impact by “nurturing ambitious drivers of social change globally.” Aside from Nature2Nurture, Villgro Philippines is also behind the Jugaad 2.0 program, which involves capacity building programs for aspiring entrepreneurs. 

For Nature2Nurture, Villgro Philippines is collaborating with Sasakawa Peace Foundation. Established in 1986, this private foundation explores innovative solutions and approaches that address issues that the world is facing today through partnerships with both domestic and international collaborators. 

Nature2Nurture Application Requirements

Those interested in applying for the Nature2Nurture incubation program must take note of a few requirements before applying. First, the incubation program is looking for nature-based enterprises that are owned and/or led by women. 

These enterprises should also be operating and/or creating impact specifically in Palawan. In addition to this, interested enterprises should also be actively working with communities or beneficiaries in the province. 

Additional requirements are as follows:

• Should be a registered entity with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and/or other local authorities
• Must have proof of concept, early test validation, and demonstrable growth potential

Applications are open until July 14, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Those interested in applying can do so by clicking here. 

Update: The deadline has been extended to July 28, 2024.

Other Important Information

Screening and selection of applications will take place from June to July 2024. The program will run for eight months, beginning in August 2024 until February 2025. The program will end with an impact showcase, which is also scheduled for February 2025. 

Selected participants will undergo both in-person and online training sessions, as well as one-on-one business mentoring, technical assistance around finance, marketing, and HR, and many more. 

Further, selected enterprises will receive basic investment readiness assessment, pitch training, and PHP 200,000 to be used to conduct lean experiments. These experiments aim to validate business models during the program.