The Leading Biomimicry Events (Updated 2026) 📆

Are you looking for an inspiring biomimicry, bio-inspired, or nature-based event? 

This is a living list of biomimicry events from around the world for 2026 (and a peek into 2027). Enjoy! 

Summary of upcoming events: 

• The Biomimicry Confluence - 14 & 15 October, 2026 <-- starts soon!
• Biodesign Sprint: Biodigital Futures - October 1st - December 4th, 2026
• Global Tipping Points Conference 2026 - October 12 - 15, 2026
• Biomim'expo 2026 - October 22 - 23, 2026
• Biomimetics26 - November 9 - 10, 2026
• The 3rd International Online Conference on Biomimetics (IOCB2026) - November 24 - 26, 2026
• Bionomia Conference 2026 - December 2 - 4, 2026
• BIMPS 2027 (SPIE Smart Structures + NDE) - March 22 - 25, 2027

The Biomimicry Confluence 2026

The Biomimicry Confluence is our digital conference - where nature-inspired ideas, innovations and innovators flow together. 

This year's theme is "Leading by Biomimicry Example". Over two afternoons (European time), keystone presenters - biomimicry practitioners and founders speaking from real-world experience - share how they have taken nature's strategies from inspiration to impact.

Keystone speakers announced so far include:

• Erin Rovalo, Head of Impact at The Biomimicry Institute - Catalyzing Impact with Nature's Genius
• Gonzalo Wartjes, Founder & CEO of PhysaFlow
• Alistair Daynes, Biomimicry Practitioner and host - How Nature-Inspired Innovation Works

Every ticket includes the recordings, like-minded networking meetups, and access to our library of past Confluence keynotes.

🎯 What: The Biomimicry Confluence
💻 Where: Online / Digital
📆 When: 14th & 15th of October, 2026 (4pm - 8pm CEST / 10am - 2pm EDT)
🌿 Theme: Leading by Biomimicry Example
🎟 Tickets: US $27 to $49
🧭 Website: Learn more about the Biomimicry Confluence here

Online Conference

Two days. Eight keynotes. One flow.

Our annual online gathering of biomimicry practitioners, educators and the nature-curious — four hours a day, from wherever you are.

Save your seat →

Recordings shared with everyone who registers.

Upcoming Biomimicry Events

Biodesign Sprint: Biodigital Futures

Over the course of two months, design teams develop projects that illustrate how biologically informed design coupled with advanced computational technologies can be leveraged to address pressing environmental and social issues.

Teams enrolled in the program benefit from access to a curated resource library, special webinars, and the broader Biodesign Challenge network. At the end of the program in December, teams present their ideas to a judging panel of international experts and compete for prizes. See their website for past winners!

🎯 What: Biodesign Sprint
💻 Where: Online / Digital
🎟 Price: $350 US
📆 When: October 1st - December 4th, 2026
🧭 Website: Learn more about the Biodesign Sprint here

Global Tipping Points Conference 2026

Hosted in Kuala Lumpur in partnership with Sunway Planetary Health, this conference explores the positive tipping points that can accelerate systemic change across food systems, health, cities and finance - with a strong focus on Asia, where many solutions are already emerging at scale.

The Biomimicry Institute is taking part: CEO Amanda Sturgeon will present, and co-founder Janine Benyus will deliver a remote keynote.

🌏 What: Global Tipping Points Conference 2026
🇲🇾 Where: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
📆 When: October 12th - 15th, 2026
🙋‍♀️ Who's it for: leaders across science, finance, culture and policy working on climate and nature solutions
🧭 Website: The Biomimicry Institute event page

Biomim'expo 2026

One of the world's largest gatherings of biomimicry stakeholders, Biomim'expo is a multicultural melting pot of biomimics, designers, architects, researchers and CEOs. The focus is on nature-based and nature-inspired solutions. This year's theme is "Objectif Terre" (Objective Earth).

Worth knowing: after nine editions, Biomim'expo is evolving into Biodiv'expo, widening its scope to biodiversity and nature-based solutions from 2027.

🎉 What: Biomim'expo 2026
🇫🇷 Where: Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, Paris, France
📆 When: October 22nd - 23rd, 2026
👩‍🔬 Who's it for: for all those who wear Nature as a sling, a banner and a compass
🧭 Website: Biomimexpo.com

Bionomia Conference 2026

The Bionomia Conference is an international technical-scientific event dedicated to exploring regenerative solutions inspired by nature. Under the theme "Biomimicry for a Sustainable Future", it brings together researchers, professionals, and creatives working at the intersection of science, design, architecture, engineering, and sustainability to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and reflect on the role of biomimicry, biodesign, and bioinspiration in shaping a more resilient future.

It is a joint initiative by Laboratório da Paisagem, the University of Minho, Sciencentris, Fibrenamics, and Pragmatic - and forms part of Guimarães' European Green Capital 2026 programme.

🎯 What: Bionomia Conference 2026
🇵🇹 Where: Centro Internacional das Artes José de Guimarães (CIAJG), Guimarães, Portugal
📆 When: December 2nd - 4th, 2026
🌿 Theme: Biomimicry for a Sustainable Future
🙋‍♀️ Who's it for: researchers, designers, architects, engineers and sustainability professionals
🎟 Tickets: Early-bird (until 31 October) from €85 for students, €150 for authors and €200 for companies / general public
📝 Call for Papers: Submit your paper (submissions open until October 9th, 2026)
🗓 Programme: The full programme will be published on the website closer to the event
🧭 Website: BionomiaConference.com | Register here

Are we missing a biomimicry event? Please reach out to us on our contact page here.

Biomimetic Events

In addition to community-driven summits, 2026 features several high-level scientific and academic conferences that bridge the gap between biological research and industrial application. 

These events are ideal for those looking to explore the technical side of "biomimetics" - the scientific study of biological systems to create man-made materials and machines... a subject we at Learn Biomimicry LOVE.

Biomimetics26

Biomimetics26 is an industry strategy symposium with the theme "The Convergence of Digital and Biological: Scaling Nature's Industry".

Hosted by the University of Minnesota, it's where industry leaders and research visionaries unite to scale lab-to-market solutions across the BiosVerse™ ecosystem. The preliminary agenda covers BiosVerse-compatible data centres, true circularity, materials, manufacturing, economics, policy and biosensing. View the speaker list and agenda from last year's symposium, Biomimetics25.

🏭 What: Biomimetics26
🇺🇸 Where: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
📆 When: November 9th - 10th, 2026
🙋‍♀️ Who's it for: senior executives, researchers, innovators, and investors
🧭 Website: Biomimetics International

The 3rd International Online Conference on Biomimetics (IOCB2026)

Organized by MDPI (publisher of open access journals) on the Sciforum platform, this interdisciplinary virtual event delves into the latest advances in bioinspired technologies and systems. It unites global researchers and practitioners from diverse fields to explore how nature's strategies can transform modern science, engineering, and design.

🔬 Topics of Interest:

• S1. Biomimetic Design, Constructions and Devices
• S2. Biomimetic Materials—Structures, Surfaces and Interfaces
• S3. Bioinspired Robotics and Locomotion
• S4. Bioinspired Sensorics, Information Processing and Control
• S5. Biological Optimisation and Management

🎯 What: 3rd International Online Conference on Biomimetics (IOCB2026)
👨‍🏫 Event Chair: Prof. Dr. Stanislav N. Gorb, Zoological Institute of the University of Kiel, Germany
💻 Where: Online / Virtual
📆 When: 24–26 November 2026
🎟 Tickets: Free (registration required by 18 November 2026)
⏳ Note: Abstract submissions closed on 27 July 2026 - attendance registration is still open
📖 Publication Opportunity: Participants are invited to contribute a research article to the conference Special Issue in Biomimetics (ISSN: 2313-7673) with a 20% discount on the publication fee.
🏆 Awards: Best Oral Presentation Award and Best Poster Award (6 winners in total, each receiving a certificate and 200 CHF).
📬 Contact: [email protected] (technical support: [email protected])
🧭 Website & Links: Main Event Page | Free Registration Link

Looking Ahead to 2027

Biologically Inspired Materials, Processes, and Systems (BIMPS) 2027

Part of the SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation symposium, BIMPS focuses on the "engineering" of biomimicry - from bioinspired sensors and actuators to adaptive materials.

📆 When: March 22nd - 25th, 2027
🇨🇦 Where: Vancouver, Canada
🧭 Website: SPIE BIMPS 2027

Also on our radar: Bioneers 2027 (dates to be announced - sign up for updates) and the first Biodiv'expo in 2027.

Recently Passed 2026 Events

The following events have concluded for 2026. Keep an eye out for their 2027 announcements!

Trellis Impact 26

The leading conference of professionals building sustainable businesses, founded on the belief that 'big ideas change the world - but only when we turn them into action'. The 2026 edition focused on accelerating the circular economy, AI-enabled climate solutions, emerging energy technologies, and nature and finance integrations.

📆 When: June 23 - 25, 2026, Moscone West, San Francisco ✅
🧭 Website: Trellis Impact

Side note: One of the Trellis team became a Biomimicry Practitioner in 2025... and her project blew us all away! Here is what she had to say of the programme experience:

Gordon Research Conference: Bioinspired Materials

The Gordon Research Conferences are world-famous for their high-level, off-the-record scientific discussions. The 2026 edition, Translating Nature's Designs into Materials for the Future, gathered top-tier scientists in Les Diablerets, Switzerland, to tackle problems in nature for which biomimetic solutions have not yet been found.

📆 When: June 14th – 19th, 2026 ✅
🧭 Website: GRC.org

Biodesign Challenge Summit 2026

The annual Biodesign Challenge Summit returned to Parsons School of Design and the Museum of Modern Art in New York to showcase groundbreaking student projects that bridge biotechnology, art, and design. This year's focus: Convergent Life.

📆 When: June 11th - 12th, 2026 ✅
🧭 Website: biodesignchallenge.org

The Living Future Conference 2026

The Living Future Conference showcases the leading edge of regenerative buildings. In 2026, the conference explored climate-positive design, material health, equity, and the integration of nature in the built world. 

📆 When: April 14-17, 2026 ✅
🧭 Website: Living-Future.org

3Bs Materials Tech: Biomaterials, Biomimetics, and Biomedical Engineering

This specialised international conference in Lisbon focused on the "3 Bs," exploring how biomimetic design can revolutionise medical implants, tissue engineering, and drug delivery systems.

📆 When: April 8th – 10th, 2026 ✅

The Bioneers Conference 2026

A legendary hub of social and scientific innovators. For 37 years, the Bioneers Conference has been a gathering place for those working on building a life-friendly world.

📆 When: March 26 – 28, 2026 ✅
🧭 Website: Bioneers.org

Biologically Inspired Materials, Processes, and Systems (BIMPS) 2026

📆 When: 16 - 17 March 2026 ✅ - the 2027 edition is listed above.

Bioinspired Materials 2026: 8th International Conference on Biological Materials Science

Hosted in the scenic Rhine region of Germany, this hybrid event brought together the German Materials Society (DGM) to discuss "interactive materials".

📆 When: March 4th – 6th, 2026 ✅
🧭 Website: BioINSP 2026

Archive: Other Notable Past Events

• Bioneers 2025: Revolution from the heart of Nature. I personally attended this conference in Berkeley, and it rocked! I wrote about my experience here: 10 Inspiring Bioneers and What They Taught Me
• Circularity 25 - Accelerating the Circular Economy - Denver, Colorado USA - 29 April - 1 May 2025.
• The Living Future Conference 2025: an annual flagship event that showcases the leading edge in the movement for regenerative buildings, products, and organizations. Portland, Oregon, USA - 6 to 8 May, 2025
• Biomimicry Workshop with Jamie Miller (Canada, 2024): A heli-hiking adventure exploring patterns in the Bugaboos.
• NetworkNature Annual Event (Brussels, 2025): Focused on nature-based solutions for economic resilience.

Are we missing an event?

Contact us here to suggest a worthy biomimicry event.

Thanks for reading.

Wild regards
Alistair Daynes, Biomimicry Practitioner

Online Conference

Two days. Eight keynotes. One flow.

Our annual online gathering of biomimicry practitioners, educators and the nature-curious — four hours a day, from wherever you are.

Save your seat →

Recordings shared with everyone who registers.