nexBio Amazônia is an international innovation program that connects Swiss and Brazilian startups and researchers working in bioeconomy and sustainability with key actors in the Amazon region. The program focuses on fostering collaboration, promoting regenerative value chains, and supporting solutions that integrate biodiversity, technology, and community-based approaches.

Participants engage directly with local ecosystems, gaining insights into the complex dynamics of the Amazon’s bioeconomy and exploring new opportunities for sustainable business and research collaborations.

The program’s methodology was shaped through a co-creation workshop in Belém in November 2023, organized with Fapespa, ILMD Fiocruz Amazônia, Sesc Brasil, and the University of St. Gallen (HSG). Swissnex gathered 24 experts from government, academia, industry, and civil society to define the program’s thematic axes and identify key local challenges. The same methodology was successfully applied for the second edition of the program, when, during an exciting event in Manaus, with the support of Fapeam,  34 specialists from diverse fields, academia, NGOs, startups, government, and the private sector discussed and indicated fields such as biotechnology, engineering, environmental sciences, and economics to be central during the second edition.

nexBio Amazônia provides a platform for Swiss and Brazilian knowledge and technologies to be implemented and adapted locally through an intensive, hands-on program focused on driving sustainable innovation in the Amazon region

The 2025 edition of nexBio Amazônia will bring together Swiss and Brazilian startups and researchers in two key regions of Brazil: Pará and Amazonas, both at the heart of the Amazon rainforest and central to the development of bioeconomy initiatives.

Pará: With Belém and Santarém as a gateway, Pará is a strategic region for bioeconomy development, combining industrial infrastructure with access to rich biodiversity. The region is home to multiple research institutions, government initiatives, and community-driven enterprises working to develop sustainable and regenerative value chains in sectors like forest products, food, and cosmetics.

Amazonas: The state of Amazonas, with its capital Manaus, hosts one of the largest protected areas of tropical forest in the world. It has a long tradition of research and innovation linked to biodiversity, sustainable extraction, and traditional knowledge. Manaus is also home to industrial clusters that intersect with conservation efforts, making it a unique environment to explore the balance between economic activity and ecosystem preservation.

The 2025 edition of nexBio Amazônia will take place from July 21 to August 1, 2025, featuring a two-week, hands-on immersion across Pará and Amazonas:

Part 1 | Pará | July 21–27, 2025

• Workshops on bioeconomy, product development, and cultural context
• Visits to local businesses, research institutions, and innovation hubs
• Field explorations to understand local ecosystems and value chains

Part 2 | Amazonas | July 28–August 1, 2025

• Engagement with community-based projects and conservation initiatives
• Meetings with local entrepreneurs, scientists, and policymakers
• Exploration of innovation labs and sustainable production sites

The program will also include preparatory and follow-up sessions to support participants in developing their strategies and collaborations.

nexBio Amazônia is open to:

• Swiss startups working on solutions related to bioeconomy, biodiversity, sustainable production, or related sectors
  
• Swiss researchers engaged in sustainability, bioeconomy, or biodiversity-related research with interest in collaborating in Brazil
• Brazilian startups and researchers contributing to sustainable innovation in the Amazon region
  

Selected participants must be available for the entire program period and willing to actively engage in collaborative activities and field visits.

Participants will be eligible for logistical support and stipends to help cover travel and accommodation expenses.