What if the solutions to our most pressing challenges, climate change, resource scarcity, urban design…, were already perfected and waiting to be discovered?

Not in a lab or a boardroom, but in forests, oceans, and ecosystems that have been innovating for 3.8 billion years.

This is the premise behind Learn Biomimicry, a global education platform that's democratizing access to nature and transforming how innovators, designers, and organizations approach sustainable problem-solving.

At Asteria, we're proud to partner with Learn Biomimicry to bring AI-powered capabilities to their proven methodology through Biomimicry Sprints (ajouter lien vers 2nd article), our new 4-week intensive program. But first, let's explore who Learn Biomimicry is and why their approach to nature-inspired innovation matters now more than ever.

We're not a bad species, we're just a young one

This is the philosophy at the heart of Learn Biomimicry.

Founded in 2020 in South Africa, Learn Biomimicry was born from a simple recognition: humans have only existed for 2 million years. Some of the earliest branches on the tree of life date back 2.4 billion years.

We're ecological newcomers: young, perhaps a bit naive, but capable of learning from our elders.

And nature? It is the ultimate teacher. Every organism that exists today represents an unbroken chain of success stories, each one a design that passed the ultimate test: survival.

The mission is clear: shift the paradigm from "doing less bad" to "doing more good" by learning from these 3.8 billion years of research and development.

From a seed in South Africa to a global ecosystem

What started as a small educational initiative has grown into something far more significant: a globally distributed "organism" with learners spanning six continents.

The numbers tell part of the story:

• 1,600+ learners from over 41 countries
• 100+ participants guided through intensive practitioner programs
• Partnerships with organizations like Google, National Geographic, Perkins&Will, and Rapha
• Official endorsement from the Biomimicry Institute, co-founded by biomimicry pioneer Janine Benyus

But numbers don't capture the essence of Learn Biomimicry.

This is an organization that walks its talk. Their own operational structure mirrors life's principles: resource efficiency, ground-up development integrated with growth, and creating environments where individuals can evolve and thrive.

They're not just teaching biomimicry, they're embodying it.

Meet the minds behind the movement

Jess Berliner, Co-founder & Learning Director

Jess brings deep expertise in translating complex biomimicry concepts into accessible learning experiences. As the "Nature Nerd" of the team, she designs learning experiences that balance scientific rigor with creative application.

Alistair Daynes, Co-founder & Managing Director 

Known as "The Wild One", Alistair combines entrepreneurial vision with a passion for ecological wisdom. His leadership has transformed Learn Biomimicry from a local initiative into a global education platform.

Claire Janisch (Late), Co-founder & Biomimicry Professional

Claire's legacy lives on in the organization's DNA. Remembered as an “Ecological Angel”, her contributions made their early work possible, and helped shape Learn Biomimicry's foundational philosophy and approach.

The extended ecosystem

Bringing Learn Biomimicry’s work to life is a team of world-class biomimicry professionals and educators including Melissa Sikosana, Yuma Langenbach, Leigh Aultman, and Karen Schneider, each bringing unique mentoring expertise in applying nature's strategies to real-world challenges. Learn Biomimicry has also been home to other biomimicry professionals, including Deb Bidwell, Rebecca MacKinnon and Lily Urman, who were an integral part of Learn Biomimicry’s early evolutions. 

Learn Biomimicry: your guide through the world of biomimicry

Learn Biomimicry has created a comprehensive learning ecosystem with four main pathways:

Biomimicry Foundations: Short Courses

Perfect for those beginning their biomimicry journey or looking to expand specific knowledge areas.

What you get:

• Self-paced learning with lifetime access
• In-depth video content that balances the depth of a degree with the accessibility of a TED talk
• Case studies showcasing real-world applications
• Comprehensive handbooks and resources
• Free access to the Biomimicry Project Playbook micro-course, to help spark personal project ideas

These courses are internationally recognized and endorsed by the Biomimicry Institute, lending credibility and professional value to your learning.

Ideal for: Sustainability professionals, designers, entrepreneurs, or anyone curious about nature-inspired innovation.

Biomimicry Practitioner Programme

A comprehensive 6-month part-time program designed to transform your biomimicry understanding into professional practice.

What makes it special:

• Learn the complete biomimicry methodology
• Apply it to real challenges in your own context
• Join a powerful community of learners and mentors
• Receive personalized guidance throughout your journey
• Gain internationally recognized certification

Ideal for: Innovation consultants, product designers, sustainability strategists, and anyone ready to make biomimicry a core competency in their professional toolkit.

Biomimicry Educator Programme

Specifically designed for teachers, professors, and workshop facilitators who want to integrate biomimicry into their educational practice.

The transformation:

• Confidently integrate biomimicry into courses and classrooms
• Access curated teaching resources and methodologies
• Connect with a global community of biomimicry educators
• Receive ongoing support for curriculum development

Ideal for: Educators at all levels seeking to inspire the next generation of nature-inspired innovators.

NEW! Biomimicry Sprints (in partnership with Asteria)

The latest addition to Learn Biomimicry's offerings combines their proven expertise with Asteria's AI-powered platform. In just 4 weeks, you'll:

• Develop 6 AI-powered biomimicry innovations
• Fast-track R&D with sustainability built-in
• Receive expert mentorship from certified professionals
• Keep 100% of your intellectual property
• Get access to the full power of Asteria for 3 months, with no subscription commitment 

Learn more about Biomimicry Sprints (ajouter lien vers 2nd article) and register for the January 2026 cohort.

The Biomimicry Confluence: Where ideas flow together

Twice each year, Learn Biomimicry hosts The Biomimicry Confluence, a two-day online conference that brings together 350+ biomimics, innovators, and nature-inspired thinkers.

What happens at the Confluence:

• Keynote presentations from industry leaders
• Success story showcases real-world biomimicry projects
• Networking opportunities with a global community
• Workshops and interactive sessions

Founded with the core aim of seeding productive collaboration, the Biomimicry Confluence is not just a conference, it's where the biomimicry ecosystem gathers to cross-pollinate ideas, celebrate wins, and chart the future of nature-inspired innovation.

Why biomimicry isn't just for biologists

One of the most common misconceptions about biomimicry? That you need a biology degree to practice it. Learn Biomimicry was founded to shatter this myth.

Biomimicry is for:

• Architects reimagining buildings that breathe and regulate temperature
• Engineers designing materials that self-heal
• Business leaders restructuring organizations to function like ecosystems
• Urban planners creating cities that integrate with, rather than dominate, nature
• Educators inspiring students to see nature as a library of solutions
• Anyone pushing the boundaries of sustainability

As Janine Benyus, co-founder of the Biomimicry Institute, describes Learn Biomimicry: "When young seedlings connect to a healthy mycelial web, they instantly plug into the nourishment, knowledge, and generosity of the collective. In the same way, Learn Biomimicry connects biomimics to the good stuff - to Nature's evolved wisdom and to one another."

Think outside. Create conditions conducive to life.

This isn't just Learn Biomimicry's tagline, it's their guiding philosophy.

"Thinking outside" means stepping beyond human-centered design. It means recognizing that we're part of a larger living system, not separate from it.

"Creating conditions conducive to life" means designing products, services, and systems that don't just reduce harm. They actively contribute to ecosystem health and resilience.

In practice, this looks like:

• Water purification systems inspired by wetland filtration
• Cooling technologies modeled after termite mounds
• Organizational structures that mimic mycelial networks
• Adhesives that work like gecko feet (no toxic chemicals required)

These aren't theoretical concepts. They're real innovations created by Learn Biomimicry alumni working across industries and continents.

The partnership that makes biomimicry faster and smarter

Here's where Asteria comes in.

Biomimicry is powerful, but traditionally, it's been slow. Research-intensive. Difficult to scale.

Learn Biomimicry provides deep expertise and personalized practice. Asteria provides the AI-powered intelligence that makes nature-inspired innovation accessible at speed.

Together, we've created Biomimicry Sprints, a program that maintains the rigor and inspiration of traditional biomimicry education while dramatically accelerating the research and ideation phases.

Think of it as combining the wisdom of a 3.8-billion-year-old advisor with the processing power of modern AI.

Discover how Biomimicry Sprints can transform your innovation process (ajouter lien vers 2nd article).

Ready to learn from 3.8 billion years of R&D?

Whether you're taking your first steps into biomimicry or ready to make it a professional practice, Learn Biomimicry offers a pathway designed for you.

Getting started

1. New to biomimicry? Download the free eBook "A Field Guide to Biomimicry" from LearnBiomimicry.com
2. Ready to learn? Start with the Biomimicry Short Courses
3. Want to go deeper? Explore the Practitioner Programme or Educator Programme
4. Need fast results? Join Biomimicry Sprints with Asteria – the January 2026 cohort is now open for registration

Connect with Learn Biomimicry

• Website: LearnBiomimicry.com
• About the team: Learn more about the founders and mentors
• Book a demo: Schedule time with co-founder Alistair Daynes to discuss which program fits your needs

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