FONTAGRO, in collaboration with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and partners from the Latin American Bioeconomy Network, announces the "LATAM 2025 Impact Agrobioentrepreneurship Competition."

The objective of this competition is to identify, incubate, and accelerate the 100 most impactful initiatives in the region, contributing to the consolidation of an innovation ecosystem capable of addressing crucial challenges such as climate change, food security, and the transition toward more sustainable economic models.

ELIGIBILITY

Proposals may be submitted by:

• Agricultural producers, producer organizations, and/or private companies operating in any IDB borrowing country in Latin America and/or Spain.
• Public or private research and/or development institutions or organizations, such as universities, research centers, NGOs, etc., operating in any IDB borrowing country in Latin America and/or Spain.
• The public sector from any IDB borrowing country in Latin America and/or Spain.
  

CATEGORIES

Proposals must focus on the development of products or services based on the sustainable use of biodiversity and biomass, leveraging science, technology, and innovation in one of the following priority bioeconomy sectors:

Biomaterials, Bioproducts, and Bioenergy

• Sustainable solutions that replace fossil-based products:
• Green chemistry: biodegradable solvents, non-toxic resins.
• Biomaterials: bioplastics, compostable packaging, biomass panels.
• Bioenergy: biodiesel from used oils, biogas, bioethanol.
• New Bioproducts for Food, Cosmetics, Health, and Wellness
• Transformation of biological resources for conscious consumers:
• Functional foods: nutraceuticals, alternative flours, probiotics.
• Biocosmetics: natural products without synthetic chemicals.
• Biopharmaceuticals: therapeutic extracts, natural antimicrobials.
• Bio-inputs and Sustainable Agri-food Technologies
• Improving efficiency and reducing impact in agri-production systems:
• Agricultural bio-inputs: biofertilizers, biopesticides.
• Agroecological technologies: smart irrigation, soil bioremediation.
• Nutritional value: crop enrichment, biological fermentation.
• Bioservices and Nature-Based Solutions
• Use of natural processes with economic, social, and environmental benefits:
• Agrobio-tourism: educational experiences in sustainable production.
• Bioremediation: soil and water cleanup using living organisms.
• Ecosystem services: pollinator conservation, carbon capture.
  

RESOURCE ALLOCATION

Vouchers of up to USD $15,000 will be awarded to 6 winning agrobioentrepreneurial initiatives to support their incubation and acceleration process.

Additionally:

• 30 top initiatives will participate in a specialized incubation and acceleration program starting in February 2026.

• The top 100 proposals will be featured in the first LATAM High-Impact Agrobioentrepreneurship Catalog.
  
  

APPLICATION METHOD & KEY DATES

• Online application available at the following link:
• Application Form
• Competition Timeline
• Proposal submission opens: July 15, 2025
• Application deadline: August 30, 2025
• Pre-selection of 100 proposals: September 15, 2025
• Submission of full proposals: October 5, 2025
• Selection of 30 finalists: October 30, 2025
• Selection of 6 winners: November 30, 2025
• Award ceremony: December 2025
• Start of incubation/acceleration program: February 2026
  

WINNING AGRI-ENTREPRISES

Get to know the winning ventures:

ESP

ENG

IICA website: ESP - ENG

COMPETITION DOCUMENTS: