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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.

Good news! We are pleased to announce our 2024 report. Fresh out of the oven, it presents the results achieved through hard collective work and our goals for 2030. The content highlights the application of Theory of Change, strategic methodology used by AMAZ and which guides all actions to support sustainable businesses, promoting environmental conservation, social inclusion and income generation.

This theory is based on the idea that the growth of impact businesses in the Amazon can generate positive transformation, protecting biodiversity, benefiting local communities and driving socioeconomic development.

With short, medium and long-term guidelines, we plan to significantly expand our operations in the largest tropical forest in the world. 

See our goals in numbers: 

• 80 businesses supported 
• 10 million hectares preserved or restored 
• R$ 200 million in leveraged investments
• 10 thousand families benefited 

One of the main innovations presented in the report is the use of **innovative financial instruments**, such as seed capital, which has been essential for the initial development of impact businesses in the Amazon. Seed capital is a contribution made to businesses in their early stages, usually in small amounts through angel investors, family or friends, to foster (seed) their development. 

and allows entrepreneurs with promising ideas to obtain the necessary resources to start their operations and test innovative solutions that contribute to forest conservation. This type of financing is crucial for small businesses to grow and consolidate, creating value for the region and its communities.

Another highlight of the AMAZ Report 2024 is the central role of the strategy of venture building, a model for incubating and accelerating new impact businesses. Through this model, it not only offers financial resources, but also closely monitors entrepreneurs, providing mentoring, technical training and strategic networking, ensuring that solutions can scale and generate long-term environmental and social impact.

The challenge of assessing the socio-environmental impact of companies through indicators and targets is a constant in any portfolio of accelerators or impact funds. At AMAZ, we can identify some difficulties, ranging from data collection and analysis to the various priorities that entrepreneurs face in their early-stage companies. In addition, there are high logistical and operational costs, complex territorial management processes and close relationships with their customer and supplier chains, where the impact usually occurs.

We seek to condense AMAZ's operations and business portfolio into measurable and understandable terms, which is not always a simple task. The achievement of results is planned for the long term, with annual milestones that serve as a reference, although they do not indicate linear growth.

Access the report in Portuguese here.

Access the report in English here.

Partnership with Mercado Livre focuses on the digital market and seeks companies that have a production chain located in the Brazilian Amazon

By Climate Ventures Communications 

The “Amazônia em Casa, Floresta em Pé (ACFP)” program, which promotes businesses in the Amazon sociobiodiversity, is selecting participants. With applications open until September 30, the initiative seeks companies that can flourish in the digital market, developing strategies aimed at reaching the end consumer, through a partnership with the Mercado Livre platform, responsible for the logistics and sale of products. 

Companies that are in the traction or market entry phase and have part or all of their production chains in the Brazilian Amazon can participate in the program. This criterion allows companies that use inputs from the region but finish their products in other parts of the country to participate. Currently, the ACFP has 50 participating businesses from different segments, such as food, beverages and cosmetics.  

The brands present on the platform include Manioca, which produces natural foods; MOMA, which produces biocosmetics; SoulBrasil, which produces sauces, peppers and jams; Warabu, which produces chocolates; Café Apuí Agroflorestal; and Inatú Amazônia, which produces vegetable oils and natural products. Over the last two years, the program has generated R$3.2 million in sales. 

“The Brazilian Amazon covers an area of over five million square kilometers. Due to its vastness, entrepreneurs in the region face challenges in logistics and marketing, which impact not only production capacity but also prices. What we want to do is offer these businesses a program that helps them become more competitive and gain access to platforms and information that will allow their products to reach even more consumers,” says Whilla Castelhano, Program Manager at Climate Ventures, the institute that created the initiative, together with Idesam and AMAZ Aceleradora de Impacto. 

Marketing and awareness 

The selected businesses receive training and mentoring, in addition to participating in lectures, events and business fairs. The aim is to develop marketing, communication and awareness strategies with the entrepreneurs, in addition to encouraging the market to increase the consumption of products from companies committed to generating positive impacts on the Amazon biome. 

“ACFP is a knowledge agent that prepares Amazonian sociobiodiversity businesses aimed at the B2C sector (direct sales to consumers). We believe that these ventures can make a significant difference in preserving the forest, and that there is a consumer market willing to learn about and value their products,” concludes Castelhano. 

Registration can be done through the link: www.amazoniaemcasa.org.br/selecao-2025. ACFP news is also shared through its Instagram profile: www.instagram.com/amazoniaemcasaflorestaempe 

 Amazon at Home, Forest Standing, in numbers: 

 45 businesses have women in leadership, management or decision-making positions, and 36 have black, brown or indigenous people in leadership, management or decision-making positions;

• 27 have quality certifications and/or positive impact on the environment;

• 7 are able to export;

• 6,674 families are positively impacted through businesses supported by the program.

 About Climate Ventures 

Climate Ventures is an institute dedicated to boosting the climate innovation ecosystem in Brazil. We believe that Brazil has great potential to lead the transition to a green economy. Our work is divided into two main axes: orchestration, where we map, coordinate and strategically connect the main actors in the ecosystem, promoting partnerships and business connections between investors, entrepreneurs, CEOs and regulators; and knowledge production, where we generate information and critical analysis to support decision-making, providing insights to leaders at the forefront of the transition to the green economy. 

 Website: www.climateventures.co 

Initiative that supports forest businesses enters the R&D&I ecosystem

Idesam Communication

The Committee for Research and Development Activities in the Amazon (CAPDA) granted accreditation to AMAZ Aceleradora de Impacto to operate its impact business acceleration program in Suframa's R&D&I ecosystem.  

CAPDA Resolution No. 55, of July 25, 2024, which formalizes the accreditation, requires AMAZ to keep the list of technology-based start-ups linked to it up to date and to prove, at any time, compliance with the requirements necessary to maintain the accreditation. With CAPDA's approval, as of this resolution, AMAZ can provide business acceleration services, limited to 5% of the project budget. 

Within the scope of the Information Technology Law, impact businesses that have approval and investment from companies in the Manaus Industrial Hub (PIM) may be accelerated, counting on the expertise of Idesam's impact acceleration program, in addition to the experience in executing R&D Law programs, from the preparation of the work plan to independent auditing. 

AMAZ Impact Accelerator was created by Idesam to help build a new economy in the Amazon, through investments in innovative and scalable startups and impact businesses that generate income and prosperity through the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of the forest. It currently has 18 impact businesses in its portfolio, having accelerated a total of 33 impact businesses that contribute to the new economy of the Amazon. 

Photo: Manawara Disclosure

In June, Manawara opened its fourth franchise. The new unit is located at Shopping Pátio Paulista, in the city of São Paulo, and is part of a series of franchises scheduled to open by the end of 2024.

The first franchise was opened in Manaus, at Shopping Manauara. Then came two more: at Shopping Parque Cidade, in the south zone of the city of São Paulo, and at Shopping Osasco, in the city of Osasco, Metropolitan Region of São Paulo.

Manawara plans to deliver 10 franchised units this year, with the firm intention of expanding access to Amazonian flavors. The franchise model offers more than 20 products, including fruit candies of different flavors, nuts and cookies. Foods such as açaí, guaraná, taperebá and cupuaçu are present in jujubes and other vegan products, free of gluten and lactose.

In its production chain, the company seeks to value producers from the Amazon region. The guarana used comes from Maués, the nut comes from Assoab (Association of Farmers of Beruri), which operates in Resex Mamirauá. The flour in the cookies comes from Iranduba, the honey from Boa Vista do Ramos, the coconut flour from producers in Acre.

Photo: Vivalá Disclosure

The border between Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana is the arrival point for new Vivalá expedition: Mount Roraima, one of the oldest mountains in the world, with the longest summit on the planet (34 km²), guarded by the Monte Roraima National Park.

Considered a true sanctuary, surrounded by Taurepang indigenous hosts and protectors, the destination has been sought out by an increasing number of trekkers.

“There are those who venture to Monte to overcome physical challenges, however, the real meaning of this expedition lies in understanding the sacred aspects of the ancestral wisdom of indigenous people from different ethnicities who revere, respect and understand this unique space on planet Earth as a source of life, spirituality and, above all, transformation. The exchange I had with the Taurepang completely transformed me and was a watershed in my conception of the world”, highlights Alberto Rabelo, producer of Vivalá experiences and the route to Monte Roraima. 

The expedition is offered in collaboration with Roraima Adventures (RRAdv), a specialist in the region for over 20 years and a pioneer in expeditions to Mount Roraima.

According to the general director of RRAdv, Joaquim Magno, the partnership in the script is due to the common objectives of social businesses. “The contribution is reciprocal, as both companies provide an experience that has a common objective, which is to take travelers to live an experience at the destination, but with quality, safety, positive impact and a dream come true.” 

The itinerary was created not only to offer the traveler an unforgettable experience, but also to positively impact the place. This impact is the result of sustainable tourism, which seeks to contribute to the environmental preservation of the location, the participating communities and the travelers' experience. 

“From the first contact with our marketing material and sales team until the return of the expedition, our traveler receives all the support and guidance to make their experience as pleasant as possible, which includes good practices related to sustainability and safety,” highlights Daniel Cabrera who, in addition to being co-founder and executive director of Vivalá, is a member of the board of Abeta – Brazilian Association of Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism Companies.

The social impact of the Expedition to Mount Roraima begins with the route and during the climb, guided by local indigenous people, who know and have direct contact with the region. The expedition lasts ten days and is recommended for people who are already physically prepared, as it is a 100 km walk.

There are planned departures once or twice a month, which include land transport from Boa Vista to the Paraitepuy Indigenous Community, where the group passes both on the way and on the way back. The expedition offers pre-trip training, accommodation in Boa Vista and Santa Elena de Uairén, transportation, all camping support, including collective camping equipment, food, entry fee to the Communities and a qualified team to guide the expedition.

Vivalá, which works to develop sustainable tourism in Brazil, is present in 24 conservation units in the country, covering the Amazon, Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and Caatinga biomes. It works together with more than 700 people from indigenous, riverside, quilombola, country and caiçara populations.

With 15 national and international awards and recognitions, the company has embarked more than 3,000 travelers, as well as injecting more than R$4 million into local economies through the purchase of community-based services and direct consumption by travelers.

The Exhibition is organized by the GIB agenda and the Brazilian Forest Service 

Text: Press/ Idesam
Photo: Disclosure/ Idesam

Delegations participating in the G20 Working Groups will have the opportunity to visit the exhibition entitled 'Climate and Environmental Sustainability'. In addition to Idesam, the exhibiting organizations are MMA, ICMBio, SFB; Sebrae and InovaAmazonia and Origens, CBA, CIDE and Casa Ribeirinha. 

The exhibition is closed to guests and takes place at the Vasco Vasques Convention Center and is an integral part of the G20 meeting on Climate and Environmental Sustainability and the Bioeconomy Initiative meeting. The objective of the exhibition is to highlight local projects and initiatives that contribute in an innovative way to facing the environmental and climate challenges of the Amazon. 

Sociobiodiversity products in the G20. Photo: Disclosure/Idesam

The products presented are divided into three categories: technology, cosmetics and food. They are: stingless bee honey, from Amazon Bee; smart burger, smart meatballs and smart sausage, from the Amazon Smart Food; açaí energy drink, from Engenho Café de Açaí; seedlings of Amazonian species, from Ananas Biofactory; Amazonian fruit extract, functional blends, chestnut oil and blend oil, from Terramazonia; amazon foodlab, from Ekuia; Brazil nuts and cocoa beans, from Native Zeno; regenerative nutrition of the forest, Mahta; natural and healthy foods, from mazo maná; gluten-free, vegan and trans fat-free options, from manawara; condiments, Soul Brasil Cuisine; Amazon chocolate from Na'Kau; natural foods, maniac; and the Apuí Agroforestry Coffee, from the Agroforestry Amazon; in the food category. 

Exfoliating gel, cleansing foam, clays and clear oils, from Amazon Biozer; easy cleaning lines, Amakos; essential oils, Forest Charms; products made from the leather of Amazonian fish, Yara Couros; nanocosmetics, from Darvore; natural vegan cosmetics, from balance; cosmetics, Moma Natural; and vegetable and essential oils and certified wooden objects, from Inatu Amazonia; in the cosmetics category. 

Climate intelligence platform, ESG platform, agrosmart Nexus and BoosterAGRO app, from Agrosmart; biofertilizer – Biochar Fert Açaí NK+, from Biofert; commercialization of microwave technology, Innovatus; commercialization of pracaxi oil and artisanal presses, Innovate Management; marketing of fingerlings, Gigas Baby; agricultural system implementation service, Add+; bicycle parts with tucumã and açaí fibers, from AGJTech; açaí harvesting machine, from Agranus; and Amazonian ibogaine, from Hylaea; in the technology category.  

Photo: Disclosure/ Idesam

According to the program, the objective is to highlight practical and innovative solutions that inspire significant and sustainable changes, in addition to strengthening awareness about the importance of acting to protect our natural resources. 

G20 in Manaus 

Manaus will host, between June 17th and 19th, 2024, the meeting of the G20 Bioeconomy Initiative. This is the first G20 event held in the capital of Amazonas. In the same week, on June 19th and 21st, the meeting of the G20 Working Group on Climate and Environmental Sustainability takes place, both events held at the Vasco Vasques Convention Center. 

The G20, which brings together the largest economies in the world (19 countries, in addition to the African Union and the European Union), has been under the presidency of Brazil since December 1, 2023. This is the first time that the topic of bioeconomy has been discussed multilaterally, an initiative proposed by the Brazilian presidency at the G20. The meeting in Manaus focuses on the sustainable use of biodiversity for the bioeconomy, with national and international participants discussing strategies for the conservation, preservation and recovery of biodiversity. 

G20 Interfaith Forum 

In parallel, Manaus also hosts the G20 Interreligious Forum Meeting Cycle, addressing the theme 'Environment, Sustainable Development and Religious Engagement: Contributions to the G20'. André Vianna, technical director of Idesam, participates in the debate 'Creating value and prosperity and regenerating nature: religious dynamics and social, biological and economic factors'. This workshop discusses paths to prosperity with a focus on food security, climate justice and forest preservation, highlighting the role of religious beliefs and institutions in regenerating nature. 

The first session will be moderated by Romanna Remor, President of the Board of Directors of the Roble del Sur Foundation, and will feature panelists such as Patrícia Cota Gomes, Deputy Director of Imaflora; André Viana, Technical Director of Idesam; Ernesto Souza, agroforestry farmer residing in the Uatumã Sustainable Development Reserve (RDS); and Paulo Oliveira, Owner of Cocar&Co. 

Idesam's participation in the G20 meetings in Manaus highlights the importance of socio-biodiversity and bioeconomy on the global agenda, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable development and conservation of the Amazon.