Monthly Archives: March 2025

Text: Maxi Media Communication

Photo: Inoca Disclosures

The Amaz portfolio business aims to generate an alternative to soybean and palm oil with the macaúba production chain and appears in the third season of the series, which addresses successful sustainable cases.

Founded in 2015, Inocas already has more than 2,000 hectares planted with macauba. The start-up develops the macauba production chain to make it one of the main sources of sustainable vegetable oils globally, without reducing food production and without cutting down a single tree.  

In addition to combining the planting of the species with livestock farming, taking advantage of the benefits that the former will bring to the latter: shade for cattle, improvement of pasture soil, use of the “cake” resulting from the macaúba as feed for animals, and less need to open new areas for both activities.  

The goal is to plant 30,000 hectares of macaúba in a silvopastoral system, in partnership with small farmers, such as Luiz Domingos, who is one of the characters in the episode of the Brasil 2050 Series.  

The episode on climate addresses strategies for Brazil to have a decarbonized economy, which would help humanity reverse and mitigate the effects of climate change caused by excessive carbon emissions. 

The collaboration between INOCAS' expansion project and AMAZ began between 2021 and 2022, when the startup was structuring its operations in Pará. From the first contacts with the AMAZ team, the strategic impact of this partnership for the advancement of the initiative in the region was clear. 

 “AMAZ played a key role in the expansion of INOCAS in the Northeast of Pará, offering strategic support and facilitating our integration with local stakeholders. One of the most important aspects was access to the network of initiatives driven by AMAZ, which broadened our vision of local challenges and opportunities. In addition, AMAZ accompanied us on several technical visits, providing direct contact with producers they have already assisted. This interaction was essential for us to better understand the profile of farmers and their needs, allowing us to adjust our approach more assertively,” says Johanes Zimpel, executive director of Inocas. 

Strategic support 

Another distinguishing feature was the support provided in land regularization, one of the main obstacles in the region. With strategic guidance, practical solutions and connections with key partners, AMAZ contributed directly to the safe and sustainable development of the project. 

“From the beginning, AMAZ was also present in the governance of INOCAS, actively participating of the Council and influencing important decisions. In addition to institutional and technical support, they provided training and immersive rounds, in addition to making financial investments in the initial phase. If there is one determining factor for INOCAS’ success in the Amazon, it is the in-depth knowledge of the region that we have acquired over the years, and AMAZ has played an essential role in this process. Without this partnership, our progress would have been much more challenging and slower,” concludes the impact entrepreneur. 

Text: Maxi Media Communication

Photo: Amaz Archive

Amaz Aceleradora de Impacto will select startups and entrepreneurs through the 2025 Business Call. Applications are open until April 25th. 

Startups and entrepreneurs headquartered or directly active in the Amazon, which are already in operation – in a more advanced or development phase – and which have products or services in an innovative model can receive investments in the order of up to R$1 million. To do so, all they need to do is be one of those selected in the 2025 Amazon Business Call, which is open for applications until 5:00 p.m. (Brasília time) on April 25. To apply, simply access the link. 

“To participate, it is essential to have a formally constituted company. The selected businesses must have financial viability and market potential, and must bring solutions – which can be products or services – with a relevant socio-environmental impact on rural Amazonia and, also, adopt a good relationship and governance mechanisms with the impacted communities,” notes the operations manager of Amaz – Aceleradora de Impacto, Gabriela Souza. 

In the 2025 Business Call, three to six startups or entrepreneurs will be selected to receive an initial investment of between R$200,000.00 and R$400,000.00, an amount that will be defined according to the stage of development of the business.  

In addition to these initial amounts, those selected may receive an additional contribution of up to R$600,000.00 in the period after acceleration, called follow-on, lasting 6 months, ending with a total investment of R$1 million.  

However, having a business accelerated by Amaz Aceleradora de Impacto goes far beyond just receiving financial support. The program includes a true learning journey through several training workshops, such as management and impact assessment, market strategies, marketing and communication, logistics, storytelling and investment capture, in addition to legal, accounting and communication support.  

“The partnership with AMAZ has enhanced our business on several levels, as it is in line with our purpose of generating socio-environmental impact and increasing territorial development in the Amazon region. It has brought connections, resources, exchange of experiences and maturity,” said Vivian Chun, founder and CEO of MOMA, a cosmetics company made with agroforestry inputs.  

MOMA joined Amaz's portfolio through the 2022 Business Call, in the traction phase. The following year, it entered the acceleration program and in 2024, MOMA was already working with more than 10 Amazonian production links, including approximately 250 families in 14 municipalities between the states of Amazonas and Pará, in addition to direct regeneration through agroforestry plantations. 

5 years of Impact positive in the Amazon  

AMAZ, the largest accelerator and investor in impact businesses in the north of the country, has a hybrid financing fund (blended finance) for investment in impact businesses, the first exclusively focused on the region. Coordinated by Idesam, its founders are Fundo Vale, Instituto Humanize, Instituto Clima e Sociedade, Fundação Good Energies and Fundo JBS pela Amazônia.  

Now in 2025, the accelerator is holding its fifth call for business, which closes a 5-year cycle using resources in the order of R$25 million, invested in startups and entrepreneurs operating in the Amazon.