Collaborative space supported by Fundo Vale marks a new phase for innovation, the bioeconomy and entrepreneurship in the Amazon
In the first week of July, Casa Cubo Amazônia was opened in Belém – a collaborative space created by Cubo Itaú to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship in the heart of the world’s largest rainforest. With Fundo Vale among its sponsors, Casa Cubo Amazônia emerges as a new connection point between the Amazon ecosystem, established companies, startups and investors from different regions of Brazil, with the main purpose of promoting sustainable development and the bioeconomy in the Amazon.
The inaugural event was the “Amazon Immersion,” carried out by Cubo ESG and sponsored by Fundo Vale, Itaú Unibanco, NTT Data, Saint-Gobain and Ambipar. Around 45 guests participated in the activities, including representatives of large corporations, local leaders, startup team members and investors, all gathered with the aim of engaging in fundamental discussions on forest-oriented innovation, harnessing natural resources and stimulating regional entrepreneurship.
The activities included a visit to the Amazon Bioeconomy and Innovation Park, which is under construction in Belém, and a technical visit to the Vale Institute of Technology (known by its Portuguese initials, ITV), where the participants had the opportunity to learn about current projects and explore opportunities for strategic partnerships. At ITV, the group attended presentations on institutional projects and highlights of ongoing initiatives, addressing opportunities for collaboration in key areas such as artificial intelligence applied to the Amazon, the sustainable use of natural resources and innovation in tropical agriculture.
“The immersion was a strategic opportunity to strengthen relationships, learn practical lessons and stimulate connections with innovative solutions aligned with the region’s challenges and opportunities,” says Márcia Soares, Fundo Vale’s Amazon and partnerships manager.
According to Giovana Serenato, head of innovation at Fundo Vale, the organization’s strengthened engagement with Cubo ESG through its sponsorship of Casa Cubo Amazônia is supporting the creation of another important space dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. “Fundo Vale will play a leading role and remain actively involved throughout the year, further strengthening its presence in the Amazon’s innovation ecosystem through strategic connections and business development opportunities,” she says.