Blog Advancing Peace with Nature Through Innovation: Launch of the CircularEconomy4Colombia Acceleration Program
While COP16 discussions on biodiversity dominated headlines just two weeks ago, the CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP) is proud to announce the launch of the CircularEconomy4Colombia Accelerator – an initiative aiming at harnessing science-backed, context-specific early-stage solutions that will accelerate the shift to a circular economy in Colombia’s agri-food sector.
The long-standing internal armed conflict left a devastating legacy on Colombia’s environment, including unchecked mineral extraction, the growth of illicit crops, and the widespread use of harmful chemicals. However, the country has made significant progress in recent years. In 2019, Colombia became the first Latin American nation to adopt a National Strategy on Circular Economy, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development, resource recovery, and waste reduction.
The CircularEconomy4Colombia Accelerator is part of the CircularEconomy4Colombia Innovation Challenge, which seeks to catalyze these efforts, particularly in the agri-food sector, by leveraging technological and scientific innovations.
Meet the 11 Teams Selected during the Bootcamp
On October 10-13, 42 participants engaged in the CircularEconomy4Colombia Bootcamp in Palmira, taking part in workshops, mentoring sessions, and expert-led discussions - all designed to help refine their projects and develop scalable, impactful solutions.
The CircularEconomy4Colombia Bootcamp focused on addressing some of Colombia's most pressing environmental challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, waste management inefficiencies, and the need for resource optimization.
See our full CircularEconomy4Colombia Bootcamp cohort
After a thorough selection process, the following teams have been chosen to move forward to the CircularEconomy4Colombia Acceleration Program. These teams presented exceptional solutions with strong potential to contribute to Colombia’s circular economy:
- ASOMEFAMA - Produces CAMHARINA, a natural flour made from shrimp heads and exoskeletons, contributing to food sovereignty and reducing environmental impact.
- Insumos Regenerativos Bocachi - Produces 100% organic and renewable bio-inputs to regenerate soils and promote sustainable agriculture, transforming degraded lands into fertile, healthy ecosystems.
- CACOTA - Develops biodegradable bioplastics from enzymatically modified cellulose extracted from post-harvest cacao husks, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics.
- CircuLab (CGIAR Innovation) - A pioneering platform in Colombia that leverages circular economy models, AI, IoT, and greenhouse gas measurement to optimize the use of organic waste from the agri-food sector, creating innovative solutions for environmental sustainability and nutrient recycling.
- Compacto MDC - Manufactures sustainable, moisture-resistant agglomerated boards from coconut husk, offering a renewable alternative to conventional wood products.
- EVOLUTIO - Uses black soldier fly larvae to transform organic waste from agri-food chains into high-quality insect protein for pet food and livestock, while also producing organic fertilizer.
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Future with Flies - Develops IoT-based hardware and software solutions for optimizing black soldier fly-based organic waste transformation processes, improving efficiency in energy and water use while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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NanoMOF - Transforms low-value byproducts from agro-industries like coffee and cacao into high-value resources, creating economic value and technological capacity in rural communities.
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NATECO - Transformation of biomass waste into sustainable products, such as organic candles made from used oil and biofilms, cardboard-like plates, and pasta currently in the scaling phase.
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OriginBites - Converts coffee pulp, a typically wasted byproduct, into nutritious and sustainable snacks, creating new income streams for small coffee farmers and promoting circular economy practices.
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Vida Azul - Produces natural and sustainable pigments and raw materials from cyanobacteria, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional colorants.
These projects span a variety of innovative approaches, including waste valorization, sustainable materials, regenerative agriculture, and circular business models. Their potential to drive significant environmental and economic change in Colombia has earned them a place in the accelerator, where they will receive tailored mentorship and support.
The Acceleration Program: From Concept to Market
The CircularEconomy4Colombia Acceleration Program is beginning today. Over the following four months, the selected teams will participate in specialized training and mentorship sessions aimed at strengthening their business models, scaling their innovations, and increasing their market readiness. The program will culminate in a Demo Day in the Spring of 2025, offering the teams a platform to showcase their progress in front of industry leaders, and key stakeholders, including investors.
Through this program, the selected teams will have access to expert guidance and resources to turn their innovative ideas into viable solutions that contribute to Colombia’s circular economy and the global sustainability movement.
Stay Tuned!
The journey of the CircularEconomy4Colombia Innovation Challenge continues, and updates on the selected teams’ progress and insights from the acceleration program will be shared along the way. Follow along for key milestones via the A4IP LinkedIn account, and read more about the project on its dedicated website here.
Cover picture: Photo taken at the CircularEconomy4Colombia Bootcamp, Palmira, Colombia
