Together with Mark Colquhoun, Anna Noon is the co-founder of not-for-profit organisation The Groundswell Collective. The Lake Macquarie-based start up is this year’s winner of the Taronga Hatch Accelerator program, walking away with the coveted $50,000 Hatch grant. 

Hatch is the world’s only accelerator program that is led by a conservation zoo. The program is designed to help ecopreneurs take their idea from vision to reality and support innovators who are tackling some of the most pressing environmental and conservation challenges currently facing our planet. Over 14 weeks, 13 founders of six start-ups were immersed in masterclasses and workshops led by Taronga’s network of subject matter experts.

The program culminated in a pitch event, attended by more than 200 guests at the Taronga Institute of Science and Learning at Taronga Zoo Sydney in which the six start-ups competed for the Hatch grant. The pitch event was judged by panel which included philanthropist, businesswoman and urbanist Lucy Turnbull AO, one of Hatch’s founding donors Alexandra Holcomb, climate change and sustainability leader Andy Marks, and marine biologist and advertising legend John Preston.

Read on to get to know Anna Noon, The Groundswell Collective, and how the 2024 Hatch grant will go on to support its vision of creating greener urban spaces: 
 

The Groundswell Collective – Tiny Forest is an initiative focused on creating small-scale, self-sustaining ecosystems known as Tiny Forests. These miniature forests are meticulously designed to mimic natural ecosystems, packed densely with native plant species in specially prepared soil. They are primarily established in urban areas where they serve multiple environmental and social purposes. These Tiny Forests are more than just green spaces – they are dynamic hubs of biodiversity that provide vital habitat for local wildlife. Beyond supporting fauna, they play an important role in mitigating climate change by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Additionally, they help to combat urban heat islands by providing shade and cooling the surrounding environment. 

The Groundswell Collective was inspired by a deep concern for our environment amidst the intertwined challenges of climate change and local population growth. In 2021, following a year marked by record-breaking temperatures, devastating bushfires, and the COVID-19 pandemic, I was studying Sustainability at the University of Tasmania. The program encouraged me to explore local solutions to global problems. I was particularly interested in nature-based solutions to climate change. 

During my research, I came across the work of ecopreneur Shubhendu Sharma, who popularised the concept of tiny forests. I was so inspired by the positive results I saw internationally from tiny forests that I committed to delivering a pilot tiny forest project in my hometown of Lake Macquarie. Over the following years, witnessing the success, community support and enthusiasm for this project, I was convinced that this was the kind of impactful work I wanted to continue. 

With this motivation, along with my co-founders, we established The Groundswell Collective – with a purpose of bringing people together to create a better environment. We do this by primarily engaging school students and community members in hands-on, practical actions to mitigate climate change. It's incredibly fulfilling work that we are passionate about and committed to expanding. 
 

The Taronga Hatch experience was a lovely whirlwind of meeting and connecting with fellow ecopreneurs, subject matter experts, and guest presenters. It combined valuable learning experiences with a healthy dose of hard work, offering a unique opportunity to tap into the extensive Taronga network while being supported by highly respected business mentors. It was such a privilege to be a part of this program and I’d highly recommend it to anyone considering applying in the future. 

The moment we learned that The Groundswell Collective won the 2024 Hatch grant was incredibly exciting! We had been nervously sitting among our fellow Hatchings, listening to feedback from the esteemed judging panel on all the initiatives presented that day. When Taronga CEO Cameron Kerr stepped up to the mic and announced our names as the winners, I just remember the rush of emotions— I think I ran up and hugged him in disbelief and joy! 

Simultaneously, our phones started buzzing with dozens of messages from community members back home in Lake Macquarie who had been watching the event via livestream. The flood of congratulations and support from our community made the moment even more special. It was one of those unique moments when you realise that your vision and hard work were not only understood but also recognised for their potential to make a meaningful impact. 

Winning the Hatch grant was not just a validation of our efforts but also a crucial boost that enables us to expand our initiatives and bring even more positive change to our environment and community. 
 

The 2024 Hatch grant represents an opportunity for The Groundswell Collective to amplify our impact and reach. With this grant, we plan to build on our current momentum by delivering two additional school-based Tiny Forests. These new installations will not only enhance local biodiversity and carbon sequestration but also provide valuable outdoor learning spaces for students to connect with nature. 
Additionally, the grant enables us to expand our educational efforts with the creation of a children's book centered around tiny forests. This book will serve as an educational tool, inspiring young minds about the importance of environmental stewardship and showcasing how small actions can lead to meaningful change. 

Overall, the 2024 Hatch grant allows us to deepen our community engagement, broaden our educational resources, and further solidify our commitment to fostering a sustainable future. 
 

I would wholeheartedly encourage other startups considering involvement with Hatch to go for it! It's a fantastic opportunity. From my experience, you will gain immensely from the program based on the effort and enthusiasm you invest. It's a chance to connect with fellow aspiring founders, learn invaluable insights, and expand your professional network.

One of the unique perks of participating in Hatch is the opportunity to spend time at Taronga Zoo, which adds to the experience. Overall, it's a win-win situation: you not only gain knowledge and connections but also get to engage in a setting that fosters creativity, conservation and innovation. 

If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to grow your startup amidst a supportive community, Hatch provides an ideal platform. Take the leap—you won't regret it!

Across more than a decade, Taronga has continued to be a leader in identifying and supporting innovative conservation ideas. In 2011, Taronga launched the Taronga Green Grant program. Inaugural winner of the Taronga Green Grant, Take 3 for the Sea, was recently named the winner of the 2023 NSW Sustainable Tourism at the NSW Sustainability Awards. In 2020, the Taronga Green Grant program evolved into the Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program. Over four years since its launch, Hatch has granted $199,000 in funding, and has connected 17 teams with more than 95 mentors and subject matter experts. Past Hatch initiatives include edible coffee cups Good-Edi and Xylo Systems, a cloud-based platform that uses AI for tracking and managing conservation programs.