Hatching ideas
for the planet

Accelerating eco-startups to deliver positive impact

The Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program, supported by LG, is designed to help ecopreneurs take their idea from vision to reality. If you are a not-for-profit, startup or social enterprise founder with a venture that will drive positive change for wildlife, biodiversity and the environment, then Hatch is for you!

Over 14 magical weeks, our expert mentors and coaches will help you turn your Big Idea into Big Impact! And at the end of the program one team will receive the $50,000 Hatch Grant!

Accelerating eco-startups to deliver positive impact

Over 14 magical weeks, our expert mentors and coaches will help you turn your Big Idea into Big Impact! And at the end of the program one team will receive the $50,000 Hatch Grant!

At Taronga, we believe innovation is the key to securing a shared future for people and wildlife. We are calling on founders who are tackling some of the most pressing environmental, conservation and sustainability challenges to join Taronga’s Hatch Accelerator Program.

Vote now for the LG Life's Good Award 2026, and go in the draw to win an overnight stay at Taronga Wildlife Retreat, Taronga Zoo Sydney, thanks to LG.

Find out more Vote now

What's involved

14 Week Program
Hatch is a 14-week Program which includes weekly 2 hour online Masterclasses, run by industry experts, teaching you key skills such as business modelling, pitching, marketing, leadership & governance, and so much more...
Immersive Workshops
Teams are invited to join us at Taronga Zoo Sydney for 2 fully Immersive weekends (in April & May). Be inspired by the beauty of Taronga, while workshopping your big idea with your dedicated Team Mentor.
Seed Funding
Each initiative receives $2,000 of equity-free seed funding, as well as an LG ‘Life’s Good’ product pack (worth $3,000). Plus, meet investors & founders, and learn about the different funding models available to startups.
Investor Readiness
Hatch culminates with ‘Pitch Night’ – where teams have the chance to pitch in front of a live audience for the $50,000 Grand Prize, the $5,000 People’s Choice Award, or the $5,000 LG Life’s Good Prize.

Testimonials

Key dates

Applications

NOW CLOSED. Sign up to our mailing list to be informed of future programs.

Program Starts

24th March 2026

Weekly Masterclass Sessions

Immersive one

9th-11th April 2026

Immersive Two

14th-16th May 2026

Pitch Event

24th June 2026

Hatch founders creating real world impact

Carapac

Class of 21'
Sustainable, compostable, biodegradable packaging, made from shellfish, that actually increases food shelf-life.

Good Edi

Class of 20'
Edible Coffee Cups, made from oats and barley, with an 8 hour integrity. They are the tastiest way to tackle disposable coffee cup waste...

ReHabitat

Class of 23'
Biodegradable cardboard emergency shelters for animals and plants, to help rehome and recover from bushfires.

Reusably

Class of 25'
Software system that simplifies managing reusable packaging. Giving companies, consumers and communities the systems and insights to access reusability seamlessly and cost-effectively

Xylo systems

Class of 21'
Sustainable, compostable, biodegradable packaging, made from shellfish, that actually increases food shelf-life.

Owls Eat Rats

Class of 25'
Supporting Barn Owl populations in agriculture as a natural, long-term rodent control solution.

Groundswell Collective

Class of 24'
Planting Tiny Forests for Big Results. Using a Japanese method of dense planting, Groundswell can fit over 600 trees in a tennis court sized plot.

Albon

Class of 25'
Addressing water pollution, carbon emissions and soil degradation, this modular photobioreactor (PBR) system, converts industrial and agricultural waste into valuable resources.