The Biomimicry Confluence Four: Recap and Reflections
What an unforgettable two days it was at the Biomimicry Confluence of October 2025! We’re still riding the wave of inspiration from this gathering, and we hope you are too.
The energy, the insights, and the deep sense of community reminded us all why we do this work.
As we drift gently from the Confluence back into our day-to-day currents, this post offers a moment to pause, to reflect on the highlights, key lessons, and collective magic of the two days of connection and learning.
Alistair Daynes, CEO of Learn Biomimicry, reminded us with great seriousness that biomimicry is not just there for the individual, but for the collective.
Day One Highlights
The opening day set the tone beautifully, with conversations about AI, business, and the wonders of fungi.
Eliot Graeff showed us how Asteria is paving the way for artificial intelligence to accelerate biomimicry. He also gave us a brilliant, exclusive opportunity to explore and experiment with this powerful tool.
Eliot also identified three key challenges in biomimicry: difficulty accessing and analyzing vast multidisciplinary data, the need for better integration of methodological frameworks into companies and professional training, and the substantial investment required to achieve concrete results. Asteria aims to address these challenges by empowering innovators to translate life-inspired strategies into solutions using advanced algorithms.
PS: You can supercharge your innovation process and join our first Biomimicry Sprints in partnership with Asteria. Design smarter, faster and more sustainably, with the power of nature and AI.
Jacques Chirazi gave us a look into the business world, and reminded us that what sets entrepreneurs apart is thinking the impossible is possible. He also taught us that taking a product to market really requires curiosity, patience, imagination and an entire village of support. He emphasized that entrepreneurs are problem-solvers and change-makers who draw on science fiction for inspiration, using imagination and creativity to drive innovation.
He also introduced Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) and Business Readiness Levels (BRL) as tools to evaluate a technology's stage and a business's market understanding and traction. He advised that early-stage companies should focus on derisking their ideas, leveraging grants as much as possible, and seeking investors who provide support beyond just capital.
Ines Garcia taught us how to apply biomimicry in business at the beautiful intersection of ecosystems. She also emphasized that nature's edges are not tidy but foster abundance and exchange, suggesting that organizations should focus on connections and permeable layers to promote sustainability, resilience, and adaptability. She also reminded us of the importance of understanding Earth as our home and ensuring that human inventions support its thriving, as there are no true boundaries. She dives deep into this in her new book: Nature's Blueprint for Business.
And, last but certainly not least, Joanna Rodirguez took us on her journey from idea to organisation, and showed us what incredible work Mycocyle does. She also reminded us how utterly amazing mycelium is - their networks are vast, restoring the earth as we speak.
She shared her frustration with the lack of recycling opportunities in the building products industry, leading her to explore nature's potential to solve man-made waste problems. Her exploration led to an epiphany about fungi's ability to process organic pollutants and chemicals. She then offered advice to young entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of having an unwavering conviction to solve a problem. Her nugget of wisdom: "loving your solution, but not falling in love with it," as the solution may evolve.
Day Two Highlights
The second day built on the rising tide of the first, and the conversations continued. We spoke about the biomimicry movement in the Netherlands, biophilic design and some more AI, microbes and storytelling.
Saskia van den Muijsenberg taught us that biomimicry is an ever-evolving practice, only made possible by emergence, collaboration and a relentless passion to stay the course for 15 years. She also discussed their ongoing collaboration with Biomimicry 3.8 and Microsoft, applying the "Project Positive" approach to data centers to measure and enhance ecosystem services.
This initiative aims to transform data centers from environmental burdens to valuable assets, emphasizing nature as both a model and a benchmark for design. The project led to spin-off initiatives, such as planting tiny forests at schoolyards with Microsoft's support, allowing Biomimicry Netherlands to teach biomimicry lessons. Learn more about biomimicryNL here.
Alexandra Bowen taught us that blending biophilic design with imagineering can bring the built-environment to Life, and invite nature back into our human world. Learn more about the Biophilic Design community here.
Erin Miller taught us about the power and potential of the tiny-but-mighty microbial world - we are the universe building itself. She highlighted the significance of microbes in the active creation of order out of chaos, presenting them as the "next frontier of sustainable innovation".
She then detailed four key strategies contributing to microbial success: adaptation, transformation, collaboration, and integration. She emphasized their ability to evolve quickly, transform substances, form cooperative communities, and weave themselves into every organism and environment, thereby linking microscopic activity to planetary-scale processes. She also reminded us that microbes act as the planet's living infrastructure, regulating global cycles and sustaining ecosystems, making complex life possible.
Learn more about SeedLabs here.
You can also read more about microbes here: Microbial Identification and How to Learn from Microbes
Camilo Garzón taught us that nature has no centre, there is no other, and that we are nature. He taught us about the importance of science communication that uses emotionally resonant stories to make complex scientific ideas accessible and compelling. Humility is crucial for this practice, in contrast with content created for superficial validation (as we so often see on social media).
True storytelling fosters curiosity and a transformative journey. Great design requires greater stories. Learn more about AskNature here.
This event brought together a global community of passionate biomimics: curious, generous, and eager to co-evolve.
To Our Attendees
Thank you for showing up with open minds and open hearts. The Biomimicry Confluence is only as powerful as the people who gather for it — and you made it extraordinary.
Keep the Flow Going 🌊
Your reflections help us grow! Your feedback and ideas shared will help shape future iterations of the Confluence. Please:
- Share your thoughts and experiences through the Confluence Feedback Form.
- Join the Biomimicry Confluence Community Platform to keep conversations alive and collaborations flowing. Ticket holders can also find recordings of all the presentations here.
- Leave a testimonial if this experience inspired you — your words help future biomimics find their way here.
Catch you in the next flow!