“Is there a solution to this?” This question from my co-founder René Lux was the starting point for MyPilz. He had just attended an agricultural course whose teacher was unable to recommend any fungal inoculants for Austrian fields. The origin of the fungal species is usually unclear, and the introduction of non-native species entails risks. As a mycologist and biotechnologist, I worked with native fungal isolates for a long time and investigated their ability to inhibit the growth of common pathogenic fungi. So the scientific expertise was there. What was missing was the application. This conversation gave rise to our first service “Find Your Ally”: farmers send in soil samples, from which we isolate and characterise the naturally occurring fungal strains and send the ideal beneficial organism back for application in the same region. In this way, we do not introduce anything new into the system, but strengthen what is already there.

New technologies are unlocking the potential of fungi

The recent advances in DNA sequencing enable us to clearly identify fungi and use them in targeted ways. The deeper we delve into this mostly invisible world, the clearer it becomes: fungi not only offer solutions for agriculture, but also represent a key technology for many industries. Fungi convert biological waste into high-quality food, produce biodegradable materials, remediate contaminated soils, and serve as natural factories for enzymes and bioactive compounds. They are ideal for an economy that conserves resources and closes material cycles.

A study with clear recommendations for action

On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (BMLUK), we recently conducted a study analysing the potential of fungi-based technologies for Austria's circular economy. It contains specific recommendations for action that are already being implemented. The study shows how quickly nature-based technologies can make a concrete difference. The economic potential of the fungal kingdom has only just begun.

Environmental protection as a business model

There is no waste in nature because all resources are broken down and reused by a variety of organisms. Specialised fungi break down biomass that is resistant to degradation. This results in numerous economically viable solutions. What is waste for one company is the basis for the next product. This is why environmental protection has never been a compromise at MyPilz, but the basis of our business model. Only by protecting ecosystems can this immense wealth of still untapped possibilities be preserved. We share this realisation with many pioneers in the fungal economy, and this allows us to look to the future with optimism.

By leveraging this expertise, Austria can play a leading role in a field that is only just emerging. What is needed are clearer framework conditions and the courage to focus on bio-based solutions. Entrepreneurship and environmental protection are not opposites. They reinforce each other when we work with nature and learn from it.