Forests severely damaged by drought and pests reflect the fate of many forest areas in Germany and throughout Europe. The complex but damaged forest ecosystem is emblematic of the many problems that climate change poses for our nature. For this reason, the FUTURE FOREST INITIATIVE creates a framework in which committed actors can network and develop sustainable solution concepts. Through the combination of the innovative power of start-ups, scientific know-how and empirical values of the established economy, we see a great opportunity for new energy to build the forest of the future.