Unearthodox is pleased to announce the launch of the Exploration Co-Lab, a programme that brings together a small cohort of ‘systems innovators’ with bold, transformative ideas, brought together for shared learning, support, and systems-level change.
We combine tailored individual support with a strong peer community and work to shift the conditions around them so their ideas can take root, grow, and influence the wider system.
These innovators are pursuing systemic innovation, work that often feels out of place in conventional settings because it crosses disciplinary boundaries and doesn’t fit neatly into boxes. Their paths diverge from traditional routes, making them uniquely positioned to challenge the status quo, but also harder to identify, support, and reward within existing systems.
As a result, they often face more challenges than typical innovators, from limited networks, a lack of funding, to a sense of working in isolation. These barriers make it difficult to stay true to their vision, keep up their motivation, and fully develop their ideas.
The Exploration Co-Lab exists to change that, offering a group of talented disruptors a supportive space built on care, trust, and connection where they can deepen and grow their transformative projects.
Our first 2025 cohort features initiatives across a wide spectrum of fields — from technology and dark sky conservation to Indigenous knowledge, artificial intelligence and education, cultural heritage, ecological restoration, environmental advocacy, the energy transition, and innovative frameworks for peace and security. Meet the innovators:
The Exploration Co-Lab is built around a simple idea: real change happens on different levels at the same time. That’s why the programme supports not just individual work, but also group connection and wider system change.
1. Individual level
The Exploration Co-Lab offers support to help participants grow both at a professional and personal level. That might include funding, one-on-one coaching, and useful tools to help them get clearer about their ideas and how to share them.
2. Group level
Each individual is part of a small, mixed group of seven innovators who face similar challenges while navigating complex change from different angles. This shared space makes the work feel less lonely and more connected and supportive.
3. Systemic level
Beyond the individual and the group level, the Exploration Co-Lab works to shift the broader systems that determine which ideas are seen and supported. By connecting participants as system innovators with funders, institutions, and ecosystem allies, and by advocating for more inclusive, regenerative models of support, the programme helps create the conditions where bold, unconventional approaches can thrive.
This multi-layered approach recognises that transformation doesn’t happen in isolation, and it is what makes the Exploration Co-Lab different. It’s not just about helping ideas grow. It’s about helping people feel more resilient, building a supportive community, and changing the conditions around them so that long-term change is possible.
Systems change is never linear and straightforward. It’s complex, often isolating, and requires bold ideas and the right conditions for those ideas to grow. That’s why the Exploration Co-Lab includes not only support for individual innovators but also a broader network of collaborators known as the Critical Minds. These are experienced, cross-sectoral contributors, thinkers and doers aligned with Unearthodox’s values, who will offer feedback and connections to the innovators as well as strategic input towards future cycles of the programme.
Success for the Exploration Co-Lab means helping each person and their ideas grow, while also changing the systems that decide which ideas are noticed, supported, and enabled to thrive. On an individual level, it’s about helping each innovator become easier to find and fund by building visibility, clarity, confidence, connections, and momentum for their work. It also means creating a strong and supportive group where people learn from each other, build trust, and continue to collaborate beyond the programme. On a wider level, success looks like seeing these bold ideas reach decision-makers, forming new partnerships, and shifting how people think about innovation and who it includes.
In mid-2025, the first group of seven systems innovators will begin their journey through the Exploration Co-Lab, a shared space to learn, grow, and test bold ideas for systemic change. Their path will be supported by a group of Critical Minds: experienced mentors, collaborators, and connectors who bring diverse perspectives from around the world and are aligned with Unearthodox values. This journey is also shaped by Unearthodox’s partnership with the Post-Growth Institute to explore alternative incubator models that prioritise regeneration over profit. The findings from this research (October 2024–April 2025) will feed directly into the programme, helping to understand how to provide better support for long-term systemic change.
Whether you are an innovator, partner, funder, or curious mind, there is a place for you here.
We would be delighted to hear from you and explore areas of mutual interest. We look forward to working with you and being part of the change we want to see together.
Get in touch at info@unearthodox.org.
