Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Join the Biomimicry Institute for this year’s Ray of Hope Accelerator Demo Day. A 90-minute interactive showcase of ten startups using nature’s strategies to solve some of the world’s most urgent challenges. After four months in the accelerator, these founders are ready to share how biomimicry is shaping the future of energy, materials, water, biodiversity and more. Come prepared to ask questions and dig in.

​Agenda (90 minutes)

• ​Opening Remarks
• ​Rapid-fire Founder Pitches
• ​Interactive Breakout Rooms – choose your startup & join the conversation
• ​Closing Remarks

REGISTER HERE

​You’ll Meet:

• ​BioWraptor, Inc., United States of America – Utilizes tardigrade-inspired synthetic peptides to protect perishable biomolecules from heat and degradation, eliminating the need for expensive and energy-intensive cold-chain logistics.
• ​DisperseBio Ltd., Israel – Redefines biofilm and biofouling control through biomimetic peptides inspired by nature. Its breakthrough technology tackles over $100B in annual industrial and maritime damage by activating microbes’ natural, sustainable dispersal pathways instead of relying on toxic biocides.
• ​Fungi Life Corporation, Colombia – Leverages a cell-free formula to replicate the natural biochemical strategy that fungi use to emulsify and break down complex hydrocarbons, accelerating oil spill and soil remediation without introducing live microbes into the environment.
• ​Mireta Urban Dynamics LLC, United States of America – Translates the 500-million-year-old network intelligence of slime molds into generative design algorithms that help planners build highly resilient, resource-efficient city infrastructure.
• ​PhysaFlow, Inc., United States of America – An edge-native AI platform that leverages the universal design principles of biological flow networks to progressively unlock the estimated 30–40% of AI data center capacity currently stranded—reducing power, cooling, and water consumption while increasing workload capacity, all within existing infrastructure to address global AI demand.
• ​Renovenergy S.A.S, Colombia – Develops cost-effective green hydrogen electrolyzers using bioinspired silicon electrodes that are inspired by the nanoscale geometry of mitochondria to achieve high electron-transfer efficiency without relying on scarce precious metals.
• ​Semion Bio Corp, United States of America – Makes plants defend themselves by restoring natural defense mechanisms lost during domestication. Rather than targeting pests directly or genetically modifying crops, they activate plants’ own immune responses, enabling crops to repel pests, attract natural enemies, and become more resistant to diseases.
• ​Terrament, Inc., United States of America – Builds underground gravity storage in existing mines to tackle the growing energy crisis driven by data centers and aging infrastructure, using a patented, cable-free conveyance system inspired by the metachronal wave motion of caterpillars to support massive payloads across extreme vertical drops.
• ​WAVR Technologies, Inc., United States of America – Builds atmospheric water harvesting technology, inspired by the Australian tree frog’s ability to extract water directly from air, to bring water resilience to the world’s most resource-constrained industries.
• ​Xatoms Inc., Canada – Utilizes proprietary AI and quantum chemistry to design novel, visible-light-activated photocatalysts that mirror the solar-powered chemistry of photosynthesis to destroy persistent water contaminants without chemicals or toxic byproducts.

​The Ray of Hope Accelerator is a four-month initiative of the Biomimicry Institute that supports early-stage, nature-inspired startups developing regenerative solutions to global environmental challenges. Made possible through the support of the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, the program provides non-dilutive funding, tailored mentorship, impact and sustainability business training, storytelling support, and access to a global network of experts, investors, and partners to help founders strengthen and scale their biomimicry-driven innovations.

This event closes the 2026 cycle of the Ray of Hope Accelerator.

Applications for the 2027 cohort will open on March 2nd.

Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News

Long gone are the days when “consulting Dr. Google” was the only online tool for quick information on health issues. These days there are many free, Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered online agents (or “chatbots”) available to anyone with internet access or a smartphone. Looking for a heart-healthy meal plan? Want to estimate the calories in your lunch just using a photo of your plate? Need a list of the best food sources of magnesium? If you’ve got a question, AI will supply an answer in mere seconds. But is it quality information? It can be hard to tell. Here are our top suggestions for vetting nutrition information gleaned from an AI source. 

Consider AI a Tool, Not an Authority

Just like in “real life,” it’s always best to get a second opinion when it comes to important health-related questions. Compare the information you get from an AI summary to what you find from a trusted and reputable source. Some examples of places you can cross-reference with include:

•     National Institutes of Health
•     Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
•     American Heart Association
•     American Cancer Society
•     Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic
•     Various government agencies (look for .gov in the URL)
•     Various university health systems and centers

In general, AI health information isn’t known for a high degree of accuracy. For example, a recent systematic review of multiple studies found that AI is pretty good at answering simple questions. But more involved tasks, like constructing meal plans for people with multiple health conditions (like type 2 diabetes and a food allergy), increase inaccuracies. Let’s say you stick to simple queries, such as “How can I add more beans to my diet?” In that case, you’re fine to get a quick AI answer and see if any ideas appeal to you. But then there are more complicated or important questions, like “Will my hair and nails supplement interfere with my medications?” For those kinds of searches, you probably don’t want to rely on an AI answer as the final word.

Convenience isn’t a replacement for critical thinking, and higher-stakes health issues deserve professional guidance. Do more research and ask your doctor or dietitian—they actually know you.

Ask for Evidence

AI responses to health and nutrition questions often don’t provide source information. And without the evidence, you can’t check to see what the truth really is. It’s not that AI sets out to lie about things, it’s more that the process of reviewing and distilling large quantities of information doesn’t guarantee high-quality results. Not all sources of nutrition information deserve the same amount of consideration. And scientific nuance is not AI’s strong suit.

In addition, AI agents don’t review all published research before answering—they simply don’t have access to everything published. So you need to specifically ask AI for answers based on published, scientific evidence, and for links to the references. Then click those links and check those reference articles.

You should also be aware that AI sometimes “hallucinates” references. Despite looking like real scientific references, they are made up! It’s easy to check and see if the studies cited actually exist—and confirm if what AI told you is correct. Yes, it takes more time than just reading an AI overview and going with whatever it says. But we’re talking about your health. And if you can’t trust that you’re getting quality information, what’s the point of asking?

Determine if It Applies to You

Nutrition is a very context-dependent science. General or “cookie-cutter” nutrition guidance isn’t necessarily appropriate for every individual. You are unique. Consider your age, gender, family history of health issues, specific medical diagnoses, and medication list. And don’t forget your possible allergies, food preferences, budgetary considerations, and more. All of these factors play into whether certain nutrition advice will apply to you, so the research AI used to create that nutrition advice may not be relevant to you.

So once you look at what AI delivered, take a moment and ask yourself, “Does this information actually apply to my situation?” If not, perhaps change the question you asked and give more information about your situation or your unique conditions. Then the AI agent should be able to give you more targeted and appropriate advice. And as always, double check with your doctor before changing anything with your diet, supplements, or medications.

About Guiding Stars

Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program that evaluates foods and beverages to make nutritious choices simple. Products that meet transparent nutrition criteria earn a 1, 2, or 3 star rating for good, better, and best nutrition. Guiding Stars can be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores, in Circana’ Attribute Marketplace, and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.