Bioeconomy transition: investment, scale and system redesign
The bioeconomy is at an inflection point, with strong political momentum but limited investment at scale. Spanning agriculture, forestry, biomaterials and biotechnology, it is projected to reach $30tn by 2050. This session examines how global, regional and national efforts are shaping real opportunities, and what it takes to scale: alignment across metrics, finance, policy and markets, with more inclusive governance and fairer access to capital. Using examples from sectors like agriculture, biomaterials and energy, speakers dig into the gaps in metrics, markets and deal-making that hold investment back, and who decides how value is shared.
Framing
This section provides context for the event to ensure all participants, regardless of prior knowledge, are equipped to engage with the discussion.
The bioeconomy is moving up the agenda globally, regionally and nationally, and investors are paying closer attention. Global initiatives such as the Bioeconomy Challenge, regional platforms like the African Bioeconomy Finance Hub, and emerging national strategies including in the UK are helping shape this evolving landscape. As the space develops, key questions remain around how value is defined and distributed, how markets and metrics are structured, and how finance, policy and implementation can align to translate this momentum into credible, scalable and investable pathways that deliver outcomes for nature, people and economic resilience.
