REGEN support program for aspiring regenerative entrepreneurs
Start: February 6, 2026
Location: The Netherlands
Duration: 10 months
Dutch soil is under pressure
On 86% of agricultural land in the Netherlands, nitrogen levels are so high that they cause damage to nature and soil function (European Commission, 2023).
At the same time, our soils are compacting: nearly 45% of farmland is so compacted that crops root less effectively, leading to yield losses of 10–40% (WUR, 2021). Even light compaction can reduce crop growth by up to 30% in dry years (Beter Bodembeheer, 2020).
Water quality is also declining. In sandy and loess areas, nitrate concentrations in groundwater exceed the European standard on many farms, and the situation has worsened in recent years (RIVM, 2023).
On top of that, the Netherlands is losing biodiversity at an alarming rate. According to the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL, 2020), average species richness in natural and agricultural areas has fallen to just 15% of its original level, one of the lowest in Europe. This loss of biodiversity weakens the soil life essential for healthy crops, water retention, and a resilient food system (WUR, 2022).
The consequences are visible across our natural landscapes: in 2022, only 29% of Natura 2000 areas were below the critical nitrogen deposition threshold (Pilot Biomonitor, 2023).
At REGEN, we believe regeneration starts with people: entrepreneurs, makers, farmers, and professionals who want to contribute to life instead of depletion.
Many people today feel disconnected from their work and from the natural world. They long for meaning, for community, for tangible impact. The REGEN support program offers a pathway for both experienced regenerative startups ready to scale their impact and newcomers ready to explore whether regenerative entrepreneurship could be their new direction.
Over ten months, participants reconnect with nature, learn from regenerative pioneers, and work hands-on at one of the three pilot locations across the Netherlands. Together, they develop, test, and refine solutions that restore soil health, water quality, and biodiversity, and rediscover what meaningful work truly feels like.
But it can be different. And it must be.
Why the REGEN support program?
There are already countless promising initiatives and solutions, but most still operate in isolation. We learn from best practices, but what’s missing is connection.
REGEN brings together twenty regenerative entrepreneurs, a mix of established startups and aspiring changemakers, who want to co-create a new economy: one rooted in healthier soils, richer biodiversity, more life, and fair value.
The program is built on permaculture principles: observing before acting, designing for abundance, and working with natural systems rather than against them. Inspired by mycelium, we see collaboration as a living network of nourishment, creativity, and shared growth.
Are you one of the entrepreneurs?
Whether you’re an early-stage founder, an established regenerative entrepreneur, or a professional looking for a meaningful new path, the REGEN support program offers an opportunity to create lasting impact.
The results form the basis for joint business models and a pitch deck that demonstrates both impact and profit potential, helping you attract partners and investors for long-term growth.
Together with nineteen other entrepreneurs, you’ll:
● Explore synergies between your solutions or ideas.
● Test combined approaches at one of three pilot locations.
● Work with landowners, investors, and local communities to develop and measure ecological and financial outcomes.
Who is this programme for?
● Startups and established entrepreneurs ready to pilot, test, and scale regenerative solutions.
● Aspiring regenerative entrepreneurs exploring whether this path could become their new professional calling.
● Innovators, designers, farmers, or creatives who can dedicate at least one day a week to learning and building.
● People eager to reconnect with nature and contribute to a regenerative economy.
If you work with mycelium, improve soil or water quality, enhance biodiversity, reduce nitrogen, or develop healthy food systems - or if you dream of doing so - you belong here.
What you will gain
● A place to test and validate your ideas with real partners.
● A new way of working rooted in collaboration and nature’s logic.
● A clear vision and regenerative strategy for your organisation or career.
● Mentorship and guidance from regenerative experts and entrepreneurs.
● A supportive network of peers, investors, and landowners.
● Accountability and structure to maintain steady progress.
● Financial and impact-driven business models for regeneration.
● Tools for storytelling and communicating your mission.
● A stronger sense of purpose, connection, and direction in your work.
The Program
The program combines hands-on collaboration with strategic business development. Participants meet every Friday in person and every Monday online to ensure a rhythm of creation, creation, and accountability.
Land Line - working with nature
Fridays, 10:00 - 17:00 (on location)
February: meet your peers, visit pilot locations, form teams, and align goals.
March - November: collaborate weekly on-site to prepare and execute your pilot project.
First Friday of each month: gather with the entire group to share learnings and insights at rotating pilot sites.
Business Line - growing your enterprise
Mondays, 12:00 - 13:00 (online)
1st Monday: Group mentoring on business development.
2nd Monday: Online workshop supported by the We Are Changemakers learning platform.
3rd Monday: Peer mentoring focused on pilot progress.
Last Monday: Progress Day - track achievements, set new goals.
The Transformation
By the end of the REGEN support program, you’ll have become part of a living movement that works with nature to restore ecosystems, communities, and economies. You will have:
Ultimately, you’ll leave the REGEN support program with a clear path, a tested solution, and a strong community, equipped to lead, collaborate, and regenerate from wherever you stand.
Transformed your vision into action
- whether by refining an existing regenerative enterprise or shaping your first regenerative initiative from the ground up.
Co-created real change on the land
developing, testing, and measuring solutions at pilot locations that prove regeneration is not an ideal but a practical reality.
Experienced the power of collective intelligence
learning what happens when entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers unite behind shared regenerative goals.
Created tangible outcomes
- a validated pilot project, a regenerative business model, an investor-ready pitch deck, and a network of trusted partners and allies.
Built a regenerative mindset
grounded in systems thinking, collaboration, and the rhythms of nature - enabling you to design solutions that create long-term value for both people and planet.
Strengthened your leadership and entrepreneurial capacity
understanding how to balance ecological integrity, community impact, and financial resilience.
Gained clarity on your future direction
whether that means scaling your company, launching a new venture, joining forces with other pioneers, or integrating regenerative principles into your existing work.
Practical Information
Start Date: Monday, February 6, 2026
● Duration: 10 months
● Cost:
€5,000 (excl. VAT) one-time fee
€30 (excl. VAT) per month for access to the We Are Changemakers online community and learning platform
● Application Deadline: January 1, 2026
● Participants: Maximum of 20 (First come, first serve)
