By Rolando Cruzado, Acceleration Manager, Conservation X Labs
Photo: Participants at our Bogota, Colombia event
In May 2025, the Con X Tech Prize: The Amazon celebrated a key milestone by bringing part of its innovation community back together in person. With a focus on collaboration and impact, we co-hosted two results convenings, one in Lima, Peru with the Pontifical Catholic University and one in Bogota, Colombia with the support of the Humboldt Institute.
The gatherings were designed not only to share the outcomes of the program, where 20 teams from around the world rapidly prototyped their innovations and collectively leveraged over 1,200% more funding in under a year, but also to create a dynamic space for dialogue, learning, and community building. These events brought together winners, participants, partners, and regional stakeholders to explore the challenges and opportunities in accelerating innovation for the Amazon's emerging bioeconomy.
These gatherings were also an opportunity to hear directly from teams about their innovation journeys, the challenges they faced, and the breakthroughs they achieved after the competition concluded. Their stories highlighted the ingenuity, resilience, and bold thinking driving regenerative solutions in the Amazon.
Most importantly, the events were a catalyst for what comes next. Breakout discussions allowed attendees to explore gaps in the innovation ecosystem that persist across the Amazon region. From discussions of early-stage funding to infrastructure for scaling, to inclusive team building and long-term mentoring, participants and partners contributed to a deeper understanding of the support needed to continue building regenerative bio economies in the Amazon region.
These results also reinforced the value of in-person spaces for community building and knowledge exchange. By bringing together innovators, investors, researchers, and regional leaders, we foster a vibrant ecosystem of collaboration well beyond the actual competition. To all our partners, participants, team, and attendees: thank you for continuing to make this vision a reality.
We invite you to explore the results and stories of CXTP: The Amazon by downloading the final report.
