Washington, D.C. — Conservation X Labs (CXL), with support from Schmidt Futures and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, has launched the Con X Tech Prize: The Amazon (CXTP) – a global competition that seeks cutting-edge science and tech innovations to transform the Amazon's destructive, extractive economies into modern, regenerative ones.
The Amazon's current economic model relies on outdated practices, leading to unsustainable resource extraction and degradation of its ecological and cultural richness. The CXTP seeks to shift this paradigm by replacing destructive value chains with sustainable alternatives for food, feed, fiber, and materials.
“In our mission to prevent the sixth mass extinction, the Amazon emerges as a critical region of focus, through the Con X Tech Prize, we’re empowering innovators to pioneer solutions that not only preserve the Amazon’s biodiversity but also foster regenerative economies for the benefit of the local communities and the planet.”
Individuals and teams worldwide are encouraged to submit their pioneering ideas aligned with this vision of modern, regenerative Amazonian economies. To build collaborations, individuals can also apply to lend their skills and be added to an existing team through a unique match-making process. Proposals from Brazil, Colombia, and Peru are especially welcomed. Selected teams will receive one of twenty (20) seed grants totaling USD 3,500 each to develop their prototypes. These prototypes will then compete for a grand prize of USD 20,000, along with two (2) runner-up prizes of USD 5,000 each.
The Con X Tech Prize is seeking novel solutions in two key areas:
Replacements: Innovations for sustainable alternatives in food, feed, fiber, and materials that leverage Amazonian resources.
Practices to Support Production, Manufacture, and Scale: Methods to support the sustainable production of replacement products in the Amazon.
Proposals are open for submission until April 26, 2024, at 11:59 PM EDT.
For more information and to submit a proposal, visit www.conservationxlabs.com/cxtp-amazon or contact amazon@conservationxlabs.org
About Conservation X Labs (CXL)
Conservation X Labs creates solutions to prevent the sixth mass extinction by developing transformative technologies, harnessing innovation through competitions, and building a community of innovators across disciplines. With the belief that humans have the power to solve the problems they've created, CXL stands at the forefront of conservation technology. Learn more at www.conservationxlabs.com
Media Contact
Lindsey Garrison, Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing
Conservation X Labs
press@conservationxlabs.org
