Deadline: 30-Aug-2025
FONTAGRO, in collaboration with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Latin American Bioeconomy Network, has announced the “Agrobioentrepreneurship with Impact LATAM 2025” competition.
This initiative aims to identify, incubate, and accelerate 100 high-impact initiatives in the region. It seeks to strengthen an innovation ecosystem that can address critical challenges such as climate change, food security, and the transition toward sustainable economic models.
Eligible proposals must focus on the sustainable use of biodiversity and biomass through science, technology, and innovation. They should fall under one of four bioeconomy sectors. The first is biomaterials, bioproducts, and bioenergy, which includes biodegradable solvents, bioplastics, compostable packaging, and renewable biofuels like biodiesel and biogas.
The second category is new bioproducts for food, cosmetics, health, and wellness. These include functional foods such as nutraceuticals and probiotics, natural biocosmetics free of synthetic chemicals, and biopharmaceuticals like therapeutic extracts and antimicrobials.
The third area is bioinputs and sustainable agri-food technologies that improve agricultural production efficiency. This includes biofertilizers, biopesticides, smart irrigation systems, soil decontamination, and techniques for enhancing nutritional content in crops.
The final category is bioservices and nature-based solutions that provide environmental and economic benefits. Examples include agrobiotourism, bioremediation using living organisms, and services like pollinator conservation and carbon sequestration.
Six winning agribusinesses will receive vouchers of up to USD $15,000 to support incubation and acceleration. In addition, 30 outstanding startups will take part in a dedicated incubation and acceleration program starting in February 2026. The 100 top proposals will be featured in the first catalog of high-impact agribusinesses in Latin America.
Eligible applicants include agricultural producers, producer organizations, and private companies operating in any IDB borrowing country in Latin America or Spain. Public and private research and development institutions such as universities, research centers, and NGOs may also apply. Participation is also open to the public sector in eligible countries.
For more information, visit FONTAGRO.
