– By Vincent Neumann, Startups & Innovation Program Manager at Swissnex in Brazil

Nearly two years ago, in November 2022, we embarked on a journey to the Amazon region with a vision—to develop a tangible, impactful project that merges Brazil’s and Switzerland’s strengths in building a sustainable future.

At that time, the project’s purpose, approach, and direction were unclear. Yet, we were driven by a shared goal: to create something groundbreaking in the fields of sustainability and biodiversity—areas in which both nations have significant expertise and innovative solutions to offer.

The journey that followed was an intense period of discovery. We conducted extensive interviews, built networks, and brought together partners with a collaborative spirit. Guided by an open, bottom-up approach, our mission was to co-create a project that addresses local challenges at its root while fostering innovative partnerships between Swiss and Brazilian startups, researchers, and Amazon communities.

After consulting with more than 50 local experts across academia, industry, government, and civil society—and after five in-depth visits to the state of Pará—we arrived at what is now known as nexBio Amazônia.

nexBio Amazônia is a bilateral innovation program aimed at fostering sustainable projects in the Amazon region. Acting as both a platform and catalyst, it seeks to forge international partnerships between Switzerland and Brazil, driving forward initiatives that contribute to a sustainable, inclusive, and efficient socio-bioeconomy. The program’s core goal is to deliver fast-to-implement solutions for existing production chains in the Amazon, addressing specific challenges unique to the region.

Learn more about the nexBio Amazônia by clicking HERE.

Take a look at the two-week 2024 program by clicking HERE.

This meticulously co-designed program with the local community kicked off with a welcoming event connecting the participants to the regional innovation ecosystem. Theoretical sessions focused on the intersection of anthropology, bioeconomy, and innovation, with in-depth discussions comparing perspectives from Switzerland and Brazil.

Following these initial sessions, participants embarked on an immersive journey into the heart of Amazon’s bioeconomy. They visited cocoa plantations, met with chocolate producers at various stages of development, and uncovered other key sectors like açaí. The goal: to identify local partners and create justifiable entry points for new ventures.

The cohort engaged with significant players in Pará’s bioeconomy, including the Amazonian Centre for Entrepreneurship, Xingu Incubator in Altamira, the Bere Xikrin Indigenous community, the Tapajós Commercial Association Innovation Centre (CIAT), the Guamá Science and Technology Park, and the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi. Across these visits, they heard from 46 experts who shared diverse perspectives on bioeconomy and sustainable development.

Amidst our packed agenda, we made sure to carve out time to enjoy the rich local cuisine during lunch and dinner and to explore some of the state’s iconic spots. Highlights included a visit to the bustling Mercado Ver-o-Peso in Belém, a refreshing river dip at Canto dos Pássaros on Ilha do Combu, a boat tour through the enchanting Floresta Encantada at Alter do Chão, a cultural experience with the Wai Wai tribe, and the natural beauty of Ilha de Cotijuba.

The program also focused on helping startups refine their sustainable business models, adapt them to local realities, and develop go-to-market strategies. Dedicated working sessions allowed participants to integrate what they had learned, preparing them for the next steps.

Throughout the experience, participants gained a deep appreciation of the region’s rich cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and extraordinary biodiversity.

The result has been a dynamic, multifaceted program that fostered collaboration and sparked joint ventures from day one. We are eager to witness the real-world impact of this initiative as startups move forward with newfound opportunities, local partners, and strategies tailored to the Amazon bioeconomy.

Everything culminated at the closing event of the nexBio program, held on August 1st in Belém, which coincided with the celebration of Swiss National Day. 

What truly set this program apart were the remarkable people who became part of the nexBio movement. Their passion, commitment, and eagerness for internal and external collaboration made these two weeks an unforgettable journey.

From networking events in the bustling capital to visits to cocoa plantations deep in the interior, from cutting-edge technology parks and research labs to the tranquility of the river, from immersive workshops to diving into the richness of the forest, and from museum tours to evenings filled with delicious local cuisine and camaraderie—this experience was one of contrasts, inspiration, and deep connections for participants, organizers, and partners alike. These pioneers shaped the program with their active participation and enriched it with their positive, constructive feedback.