EMIN 2025 brought together entrepreneurs, academia, the public sector, and strategic allies around innovation and sustainability

• Event reaffirmed the role of ACTIVA-CATIE as a key platform for Costa Rican enterprises to innovate, grow, and contribute to the country’s sustainable development

development The ACTIVA-CATIE Innovation and Entrepreneurship Laboratory, part of the Unit of Forests and Biodiversity in Productive Landscapes of CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center), held on Tuesday the business event EMIN 2025: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Nature. The event brought together 35 enterprises from different regions of the country in a space for learning, connection, and showcasing initiatives that promote sustainability and nature-based adaptation.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. Luis Ernesto Pocasangre, Director General of CATIE, and Dr. Roberto Camacho, Executive Director of the National Institute for Innovation and Transfer in Agricultural Technology of Costa Rica (INTA). Both highlighted the role of ACTIVA-CATIE as a driving force that supports the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Since its creation in 2020, thanks to the support of the Development Banking System (SBD) and other cooperation entities such as the European Union and German cooperation, GIZ, the initiative has supported 192 enterprises in sectors such as forestry, agriculture, beekeeping, livestock, bio-inputs, coffee, cocoa, rural tourism, among others. For this reason, the beginning of the event was the right moment to reveal that approximately 51% of all enterprises supported so far are led by women.

Dr. Pocasangre stressed that the true engine of development lies in rural enterprises that seek to scale up, in value chains that need to be consolidated, and in communities that deserve more and better opportunities.

“I invite all institutions here today to join this effort. The rural bioeconomy of Mesoamerica cannot wait. We need more capital, more alliances, and more trust in this model that has already proven to be viable and transformative, with the potential to make an impact beyond Costa Rica,” stated Pocasangre.

For his part, the INTA Executive Director shared an encouraging message to keep building dreams. “There is no small enterprise, because even the tiniest seed in a forest has the potential to become a huge tree. Along the way, of course, we face challenges—you entrepreneurs know this well—but it is precisely in overcoming and surpassing those challenges where success is found, always achieved through perseverance,” he remarked.

Social Impact

One of the central moments was the presentation of ACTIVA-CATIE’s progress and impacts, delivered by Katherine Castellón, graduate of CATIE’s Master’s in Economics, Development, and Climate Change, and by Vladimir Valera, Director of ACTIVA-CATIE. Both showed evidence of how technical and financial support not only directly benefits enterprises but also generates significant returns for the country’s development.

For this, Castellón analyzed a sample of 48 enterprises supported between 2020 and 2022, of which 34 were surveyed in detail, located in provinces such as Cartago, Alajuela, Puntarenas, San José, Heredia, Guanacaste, and Limón.

Among the most relevant findings were the following:

• Creation of 195 new jobs in approximately three years, especially for youth, women, and older adults;
• creation of 135 productive linkages that fostered collaboration between entrepreneurs and local actors;
• an increase in income and access to new markets; and
• greater business formalization.

In addition, the research highlights that ACTIVA-CATIE goes beyond delivering seed capital, as its technical support, training, and continuous assistance strengthen the sustainability of enterprises from economic, social, and environmental perspectives.

“It has now been five years of continuous work by ACTIVA-CATIE, positively impacting Costa Rica’s rural entrepreneurial sector. Katherine’s research demonstrates this, and now it is time to replicate this model beyond our borders. To do so, we need to generate more synergies with other institutions and funds that want to work with us,” said Director Valera.

Producers Shared Their Experiences

During the space called Impact Pitch, participants got to know initiatives such as The Nest Nature Center (nature tourism), Lombritec (bio-inputs and waste management), and Don Alexis Coffee (coffee production with CATIE hybrids). These three examples shared their origins, challenges, and goals, finding in ACTIVA-CATIE the support needed to continue pursuing their dreams.

Later, the panel Strategic Connections and Opportunities, moderated by Juan José Serrano of ACTIVA-CATIE, featured the participation of Abigail Napsuciale from Atta Impact Capital and Elías Álvarez G. from PROCOMER, who shared opportunities for accessing investment funds and support networks.

The day also included an interactive networking space and the keynote lecture on Storytelling for Entrepreneurs by Édgar Silva, who renamed it “telling the story” of his personal journey. It was a space full of positivity and inspiration, where the journalist, presenter, and coffee producer recounted the birth of his brand Orígenes and how life led him to discover his passion for this product.

Finally, the ACTIVA-CATIE Seal was awarded to the 34 enterprises present, a recognition that distinguishes them for their commitment to sustainability, innovation, and the values promoted by the network.

The event concluded with a call from Vladimir Valera, Director of ACTIVA-CATIE, to continue consolidating this network of innovative and sustainable businesses.