Monthly Archives: April 2025

Maxi Media Text

Photo: Daniela Lopes

Edition highlighted the bioeconomy sector as a fundamental strategy for sustainable development in the Amazon  

The 105th Jaraqui Valley Community Meet Up was organized by Amaz Aceleradora de Impacto and took place at the Moinho Technology and Innovation Center, located within Nilton Lins University, and was attended by entrepreneurs, investors, institutions and enthusiasts from the startup sector. 

“Meet Up is a meeting designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas and generate genuine connections within the innovation ecosystem. With a light and uncomplicated format, it promotes more dynamic and assertive interactions between the different actors in this environment, stimulating the construction of synergies and collaborations”, explains Jaraqui Valley Community Leader, Isis Arébalo. 

One of the highlights of the program was the panel “Impact Connections: Challenges and Opportunities”, with the participation of Rafael Moreira, selection and acceleration leader at Amaz – a business accelerator of the Institute for Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Amazon (Idesam). On the occasion, he presented the 2025 Business Call, with applications open until Friday (04/25). The call for proposals and the form are available at link. 

For the past five years, Amaz has been supporting several businesses with a socio-environmental impact in the region. In 2024, it won the Jaraqui Graúdo award, a competition promoted by the Jaraqui Valley community, in the “Angel Investor” category. Currently, 19 ventures make up the accelerator’s portfolio. 

“This year, we celebrate 5 years of operations in the Amazon and, since the beginning, when we created the first hybrid fund, we have evaluated more than 500 potential businesses, accelerated 52 initiatives and invested directly in 18 businesses with socio-environmental impact. With this, more than a thousand families in 56 municipalities in the Amazon have benefited and we have also contributed to the conservation and/or restoration of 447 thousand hectares of native forest”, points out Gabriela Souza, Operations Leader. 

In addition to Rafael Moreira, Taiane Freitas, from PPBio, and Roma Chavez, from Impact Hub, also participated in the panel, expanding the dialogue on opportunities for early-stage businesses with a focus on the Rural Amazon. 

Bioeconomy: an expanding agenda 

Bioeconomy is one of the issues that has been gaining momentum when discussing sustainable development in the Amazon, with initiatives that preserve the forest while boosting production chains based on socio-biodiversity products, such as açaí, Brazil nuts, cupuaçu, cocoa, honey and natural oils. This system guarantees income and well-being for traditional riverside, indigenous, quilombola and extractive communities. 

“It is very gratifying to see that this is taking shape. We have the National Bioeconomy Plan (PNDBio), the State Bioeconomy Plan [of Amazonas], and the New Industry Brazil (NIB). We are very happy to be part of the initial discussions. And Idesam has always been a great partner, and more recently with Amaz, it has been helping to boost innovative businesses related to the bioeconomy in the state of Amazonas,” highlights Cleuciliz Magalhães, vice-rector of Postgraduate Studies, Research and Innovation at Nilton Lins University. 

There are challenges to be overcome, but the expert is confident in the evolution of the ecosystem, especially with the increased participation of universities that have been encouraging entrepreneurship through events, incubators and technological innovation centers. This is not only in Manaus, but throughout the region. 

“We have logistical issues, because being in the Amazon is different from being in São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. Here, we face challenges in training these people much more quickly to understand this scenario of innovation and sustainable development. We are at an opportune moment to accelerate the process of innovation, entrepreneurship and issues related to the bioeconomy,” concluded the vice-rector of research and innovation. 

Text: Maxi Mïdia

Photo: Gabriela Rabaldo

In this Indigenous April, a month dedicated to valuing the stories, cultures, voices and identities of indigenous peoples, Amaz Aceleradora de Impacto celebrates together with Tucum the company's positive impact on the lives of 107 Indigenous Peoples. 

According to the 2022 Census by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), almost 1.7 million indigenous people live in the country, with an emphasis on the Legal Amazon, home to 867,000 of this number. In the largest tropical forest in the world, these populations preserve not only the ecosystem, but also ancient knowledge, ways of life and cultures. 

Currently, Tucum – one of the businesses in the Amaz Aceleradora de Impacto portfolio – connects more than 4,860 artisans from 107 indigenous peoples and traditional communities located in the Legal Amazon, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest. The business also contributes to the conservation of more than 2.9 million hectares of forest. 

To achieve such impressive results, Tucum ensures that the amount paid by consumers is fairly transferred to the artisans who sell on the website. In addition, it offers training for indigenous leaders, with a focus on digital marketing, expanding the protagonism of artists. 

Brazil's first indigenous marketplace 

Founded by entrepreneur and indigenous activist Amanda Santana, Tucum has established itself as the first indigenous marketplace in Brazil. The idea was born after Amanda immersed herself in the Krahô territory, located between the states of Tocantins, Maranhão and Piauí, where she had direct contact with the crafts produced by indigenous women. 

In 2013, she founded Tucum's first physical store in the Santa Teresa neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Two years later, she expanded operations to the digital environment, expanding the reach of products and contributing to the generation of income for artisans in various regions of the country. 

The marketplace catalog includes a wide range of items: biojewelry, earrings, bracelets, bags, masks, clothing, canvas prints, decorative items, among others. The products are created by artists from dozens of traditional peoples, such as the Kayapó, Krahô, Kamayurá, Xipaya, Asurini, Yanomami, Baniwa, Matis, Marubo and Parakanã. 

“Each piece of art carries the essence, beauty and struggle of its culture. When someone buys an indigenous piece, they are helping to keep the forest standing, with dignity and respect for traditional knowledge,” explains Santana. 

Indigenous April 2025 

Historically invisible in Brazil, indigenous peoples during this period organized a large resistance movement, the Acampamento Terra Livre (ATL) took place in Brasília (DF) and brought together indigenous representatives from all over the country, especially women, to demand rights, mainly related to the use of territories. 

For many people, art is a form of resistance. And for more than a decade, Tucum has acted as a bridge between the cultural expressions of Brazilian indigenous peoples and the rest of society.  

In recognition of this, the business became part of the Origens Brasil Network, which ensures and monitors ethical relationships between companies and traditional communities. The marketplace website was also redesigned, gaining a more intuitive and immersive design, with photos, videos of the products and an Impact Map, which presents the associations and organizations connected to the network. 

“We have been building bridges between indigenous peoples and consumers for 12 years and transforming lives. None of this would be possible without the collaboration of so many collaborators, partners and associations who believe in our mission to value the art of those who fight to keep the forest alive,” concludes Santana. 

In celebration of Indigenous April, Tucum officially partners with activist Alice Pataxó, who becomes the brand's new ambassador. Originally from the Tibá village of the Comexatiba Indigenous Land (TI) in southern Bahia, the young woman is dedicated to the fight for socio-environmental justice. In 2021, she spoke out at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) and, the following year, was named one of the most inspiring and influential women in the world on the BBC 100 Women list. 

The marketplace now has exclusive items and a 15% discount on purchases over R$248.00, using the coupon code ABRILINDIGENA15. Those who prefer to pay via PIX can also get an extra 8% discount. 

Impact on the Legal Amazon 

Tucum is part of the portfolio of AMAZ, the leading accelerator and investor in impact businesses in the North of Brazil through a hybrid financing fund. It recently launched the 2025 Business Call, concluding a five-year cycle of investments for sustainable development in the Legal Amazon. The Call will select three to six new ventures. To participate in the selection, businesses must be formalized, in operation (whether in an early or advanced stage) and offer innovative products or services with market potential.  

Those selected will receive an initial investment of R$200,000 to R$400,000, with the possibility of an additional R$600,000, totaling R$1 million for investment. 

However, the financial aspect is not the only attraction. AMAZ provides comprehensive training for entrepreneurs through connections with other market players, workshops on various topics, and specialized support in legal, accounting and communication advice. 

Registration remains open until April 25th, at 5 pm (Brasília time), through the link: https://amaz.org.br. Questions can be sent until April 20th by email [email protected]. 

Text: Maxi Media

Photo: Disclosure Viva Lá

Vivalá is a reference in Community-Based Tourism and has been in the market for nine years, providing remarkable experiences for those who want to learn more about traditional communities, native biodiversity and natural paradises.

Currently, the business operates in 28 Conservation Units (UCs) across the country, including the Amazon. 

To take advantage of the Easter and Tiradentes holidays, Vivalá has launched the “Belém & Marajó Island” expedition in Pará. The journey will take place between April 17 and 21 with an itinerary full of authentic experiences: visits to natural paradises, tasting local cuisine and living with people from the Amazon rainforest. 

Among the highlights of the itinerary are the visit to the Mata Fome creek; the houses of Seu Ladi, the flour mills of the Boa Vista do Acará community and the Chocolate mill of Dona Nena; as well as the beaches of Céu, Pesqueiro and Garrote. 

The project has received the specialized and necessary support to boost its socio-environmental impact in the region from the accelerator since 2021. 

“Having AMAZ as an investor in Vivalá, as well as a partner and accelerator, is extremely important, because it gives us a more systemic view of the Amazon as a whole, of different chains and of how all actors, including Sustainable Tourism, can generate and act as a tool for positive socio-environmental development for the largest Brazilian biome and the largest tropical forest in the world”, says Daniel Cabrera, co-founder and executive director of the business. 

The first journey of the “Belém & Marajó Island” expedition will be on sale until next Saturday, April 5th. Travelers will also be given a kit of regional and sustainable products. To purchase and for more information, visit link. 

Opportunity for new business  

AMAZ Impact Accelerator has an open call for new businesses, focusing on entrepreneurs and startups with socio-environmental impact. 

To participate in the selection process, businesses must be formally operating, have socio-environmental impact as a central premise, and be headquartered or operate in the Legal Amazon. In addition, they must have financial viability, market potential and innovative solutions.  

The call will select three to six businesses, each of which will receive an initial investment of R$200,000 to R$400,000. After the acceleration period, better known as “follow-on”, there will still be additional investments that can reach up to R$600,000, totaling R$1 million invested. 

Benefits also include: communication, legal and accounting advice, access to knowledge on topics relevant to business management, connections with other entrepreneurs, specialized monitoring, granting of scholarships and other forms of support. 

Registration for AMAZ's 2025 Call for Business is open until April 25th this year. link. The deadline for sending questions is April 20th by email [email protected]. 

Photograph: Disclosure Tribo Super Foods

Text: Maxi Media Communication

The event, promoted by the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), brought together more than 300 businesses and featured lectures, networking opportunities and a pitch battle. 

Founded in 2023 by entrepreneur Maurício Pantoja, Tribo Superfoods is dedicated to the production and export of açaí, cupuaçu and cocoa purees. With a business model based on sustainability and fair trade, the company benefits two cooperatives and impacts 340 families in communities in Igarapé-Miri and Abaetetuba, in the state of Pará. 

“Participating in events like Startup Day is super important to bring visibility to the business and to make connections with other bioeconomy players who want to partner with us. In addition to participating and achieving, I see that this brings us much closer to the result we want to build: to show that we do serious, important and valid work for the communities,” says Pantoja. 

Tribo Superfoods products are currently sold locally and distributed in the states of Piauí, Ceará and Maranhão, through commercial partnerships. The startup's next step is to expand its operations to the Southeast region. 

The union between traditional knowledge, forest preservation, fair trade and community development are the differentials of Tribo Superfoods.  

“Some people say that we just turn pulp into powder, but it goes much further than that. We work with traceability, metrics, and association with other cultures. Everything to show our identity and inspire with what we are doing,” adds the entrepreneur. 

AMAZ support 

Tribo Superfoods is part of the AMAZ Impact Accelerator portfolio, which offers strategic support to sustainable businesses in the Amazon. The program provides entrepreneurship training, market connections and specialized mentoring. 

For Pantoja, the results are already visible. “The acceleration program has been helping us build our foundation. Today, we have much more clarity about our purpose, how to measure impacts, and how to organize the business’ finances to be sustainable. The program has been preparing us for other achievements, and through workshops, contacts with experts, and consultancies, we will build a very strong foundation. This is being proven as we participate in this and other events, showing the maturity that Tribo Superfood has been developing,” he concludes. 

2021 Business Call 

The AMAZ 2025 Business Call remains open until April 25, via the link. Formal businesses, entrepreneurs and startups headquartered or directly operating in the Legal Amazon, which are in operation – in the development phase or more advanced – and which have innovative products or services aimed at the conservation of the biome, the enhancement of biodiversity and socio-environmental development can apply. 

During the acceleration and investment journey, the selected businesses will have access to a series of benefits. One of them will be an initial investment of R$200,000 to R$400,000 for up to six startups, which will also be able to obtain an additional investment of R$600,000 over the course of the 6 months, a period of follow on. 

In addition, businesses receive training in relevant topics, such as impact management, market strategies, marketing and communication, logistics, storytelling and raising investment; they have the opportunity to connect with other startups in the AMAZ portfolio; and enjoy legal, accounting and communication advice. 

The link with all the details is available at link. Questions should be sent to the email: [email protected].