Twenty innovative solutions to build regenerative economies for the Amazon have been selected as finalists as part of the Con X Tech Prize: The Amazon.
The Con X Tech Prize (CXTP) is a prototyping competition series launched in 2018 with a mission to bring technological innovation to bear on the hardest conservation challenges. In early 2024, with support of Schmidt Futures and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, a fourth round was launched: CXTP: The Amazon, a global competition seeking cutting-edge science and tech innovations to transform the Amazon's destructive, extractive economies into modern, regenerative ones.
Specifically, this round of the competition was asking for ideas under two themes: (1) Replacements for food, feed, fiber, and materials; or (2) Practices and Methods to support the sustainable production of replacement products in the Amazon. This round of the CXTP was also designed to democratize innovation within the Amazon itself, awarding extra points to teams with members from the region.
CXL received 112 applications from innovators in 30 different countries. An external review committee helped determine the 20 finalists.
They are:
Biotech Superfood, Peru
Biotech Udea, Colombia
Castañachain, Peru
EKO City, Peru
Electrobytes, Peru
Fe y Alegría 74, Peru
Fibrabambu, Peru
Grouse Fibre, United Kingdom
HOPE, Peru
iGEM Sheffield, United Kingdom
INBIOFERT, Peru
Kinray Hub, Ecuador
Moda que Conserva Bosques, Peru
Nano Cuántica, Colombia
Nativa Esencial, Colombia
Nouvtex, Peru
PaccuYacu Tex, Peru
PatchHealing, Peru
Tekohá, Brazil
Time Babassu, Brazil
These finalists will receive seed grants totaling USD 3,500 each to develop their prototypes which will then compete for a grand prize of USD 20,000, along with two (2) runner-up prizes of USD 5,000 each. Winners of the competition will be unveiled in the Fall of 2024. In addition to the cash prizes, the winners will receive continued mentorship and guidance to help fully realize the potential of their projects.
