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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]. 

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.  

Photo: Rodrigo Duarte

Text: Henrique Saunier

Applications are now open for the 2025 Business Call. Startups, impact entrepreneurs and innovative businesses can participate in an acceleration and investment program of up to R$1 million. The focus is on initiatives that contribute to forest conservation and income generation for local communities, strengthening a new sustainable economy for the region.

Registrations can be made until April 25th, at link . Coordinated by Idesam, AMAZ has a robust track record of operations. Since 2021, when it created its first hybrid financing fund, the accelerator has:

• Evaluated over 500 potential businesses;
• Accelerated 52 initiatives, including the program Forest+ Acceleration;
• Invested directly in 18 businesses with socio-environmental impact;
• Benefited 1,932 families in 56 municipalities in the Brazilian Amazon;
• Contributed to the conservation and/or restoration of 447 thousand hectares of native forest;
• It moved R$1.4T5 million in direct investments and R$1.4T38.5 million in leveraged investments.

A new phase for AMAZ

This launch marks a special moment: AMAZ’s fifth year. Since its founding, the accelerator has consolidated itself as a strategic movement to transform the Amazon into a hub for sustainable development, connecting the third sector and the private market to leverage economic solutions with a positive impact.

With the revision of its theory of change and the experience accumulated, AMAZ is now entering a new phase of its operations. The program will now incorporate active business prospecting, expanding its capacity to originate and generate new initiatives, in addition to accelerating and investing in early-stage startups. The goal is to increase the impact by 2030, consolidating an ecosystem of sustainable businesses in the region.

Another important advance is the change of platform for registrations, making the process more accessible and facilitating the participation of entrepreneurs who want to be part of the transformation of the Amazon.

“AMAZ goes beyond accelerating business. We are building a new economy for the Amazon, where the standing forest becomes a powerful economic asset. We want to attract more investors, strengthen production chains and structure a robust ecosystem of impact businesses,” says Gabriela Santos, Operations Leader at AMAZ.

Success and growth stories

Companies supported by AMAZ have already demonstrated the potential for transformation that the program fosters. Manioca, for example, has joined forces with a large business group, while initiatives such as Zenativo and Inox are strengthening local production chains, generating jobs and income in a sustainable way.