Crowding-in: Blending Finance and Technology to Mobilise Corporate Engagement for Nature
Wednesday 21 January 2026 10:30-12:00 CET
ENERGY ROOM
Despite global commitments, conservation remains dangerously dependent on finite public subsidies and philanthropic grants. To close the financing gap, the challenge lies in utilising concessional funding not as a crutch, but as a strategic lever to de-risk investment and crowd in the private sector.
Hosted by the Nature Finance Accelerator (NFA), this session convenes leaders across finance, corporate strategy, conservation, and technology to demonstrate how Switzerland is positioning itself as a global hub for innovative, scalable, nature-positive solutions. Through a blend of expert showcases, high-level debate, and collaborative strategy, we will explore:
- Smart Concessionality: How to structure financial mechanisms that transition projects from grant-dependence to market viability.
- Nature Tech as an Enabler: An exclusive look at the Swiss Nature Tech Ecosystem, demonstrating how emerging technologies (e.g. eDNA, bioacoustics, remote sensing) are solving the data deficit and creating trust for investors.
- Real-World Application: Deep dive into our live pilot – the Mellingen Biodiversity Corridor, being structured in partnership with Pro Natura Aargau.
With:
- Mauricio Benitez, Director – Nature Finance Accelerator
- Judson Berkey, Managing Director – UBS
- Matthias Betsche, Managing Director – Pro Natura Aargau
- Tonio Buonassisi, Director, CSEM Sustainable Energy Center and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, MIT
- Fred Fournier, CEO & Co-Founder – Open Forest Protocol
- Henrique Martins, Managing Director – Nature Finance Accelerator
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