Acceleration Programme

Photography by The Ocean Agency

The MAR+Invest Acceleration Programme

The MAR+Invest Acceleration Programme seeks to promote the growth of early-stage and established companies with a positive impact on the corals of the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) and reef-dependent communities. These projects should contribute to solving one or more of the main threats to reefs in the MAR: lack of wastewater and solid waste treatment, overfishing, and climate change. Business solutions must generate a positive impact on coral reefs and neighboring communities and have operations in at least one of the MAR countries: Mexico (Quintana Roo), Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.

The programme will support the selected projects through personalized training, development of impact indicators and measurement systems, strategic partnerships, and access to financial solutions.

2023 Acceleration Programme SECOND COHORT

Meet the inspirational entrepreneurs selected for the 2024 Cohort of the MAR+Invest Acceleration Programme.

Escuela itinerante de Aguas y Arte (Mexico)

Is a social enterprise which addresses the pollution of rivers, primarily by soapy waters and sewage, in rural communities where there are no water treatment systems. Communities tend to discharge their sewage directly to rivers, contaminating the water which ends up in the ocean. They developed a system of biofiltering gardens with a specific substrate that connect to the grey/soapy water outlet of the houses which processes the waters which can be reused as grey waters.

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FUNDAECO (Guatemala)

FUNDAECO manages protected areas, restores ecosystems, and support local communities through education, health services, and sustainable livelihoods. One of their main programs, The Conservation Coast, promotes ecotourism where they impact 10 natural reserves throughout Guatemala. The organization generates income through grants, donations, ecotourism fees, commissions from sales, and event space rentals.

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México Circula (Mexico)

It collects valuable waste in remote areas of Quintana Roo, promoting a circular economy and environmental education. Operates the RECICLA recycling network in Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, and soon Holbox. They design waste collection programs and conduct workshops for waste separation. It compacts waste at a local center and sells it to processing plants in central Mexico, it also offers team-building and educational activities for companies and schools. The team plans to build an ocean museum in Tulum with art made from ocean waste and expand to new areas like Cancun by increasing the team.
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Polo's Water Association (Honduras)

PWA focuses on improving water quality and access for local communities and implement sustainable water management practices, develop infrastructure for clean water distribution, and educate residents on water conservation and sanitation. Polo’s primary sources of income include a carefully designed tariff system for water and sewage services, which generates revenue from residential and commercial users based on their consumption levels. They also receive grant funding from various organizations and serve for more than 450 customers in West End.
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Roatan Marine Park (Honduras)

Founded as a civil association to address threats to the reef system in Roatán, Honduras, Roatan Marine Park focuses on reef protection through patrolling, coral restoration techniques, reducing illegal fishing, and training fishing communities for sustainability. They own two eco-shops in Roatan and offer educational tours, voluntary payment options for diving access and a mooring system. RMP is seeking to promote entrepreneurship in local communities through the implementation of tourism units, creating ecological and community tours.
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Terminator Water Solutions (Mexico/Belize)

Terminator Water Solutions (TWS), a Bioesteres business line, designs wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for various industries. TWS is piloting a compact 1,000-liter WWTP for homes not connected to sewage networks, with sales through distributors and developers. They plan to train locals in Quintana Roo and Belize for installation. The installation cost is about $2,000 USD. With 13 years of experience, TWS aims to start sales in Cancún and expand to Belize.
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Vos Honduras (Honduras)

VOS Honduras transforms fish skin into fashionable leather shoes, handbags and accessories. The company has international operations, serving both B2B and B2C clients in Costa Rica, México, Colombia, the USA, and Europe. The company receives funding from international organizations to teach women from local communities in the region how to produce fish leather that meets its quality standards. The project has a strong pipeline of potential clients and is set to conduct a workshop with the Cayos Cochinos Foundation in Honduras, training 100 women.
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Testimonials

I loved the Launching trip to Cozumel, we met excelent partners and all the activities that we did were really constructive, this is the first and only acceleration program in which I have participated in an activity like this. In conclusion I enjoyed each part of the launch trip.

I love that this program focuses on the responsibility of citizens through private companies, who are the ones who live in the community, know its real problems. That is a change in mentality, instead of waiting for NGOs to come to solve problems, citizens take responsibility for the impact within their environment through private companies, which benefit the most from the community. That is the true model that can work in the long term.

One of the best acceleration programs we have participated in, impact focus was outstanding, quality of mentors incredible and New Ventures team supportive, brilliant and inspiring.

The launch trip was fantastic! Excellent opportunity to get to know the New Ventures team, other participants and have lots of like minded people all in one space!

The coffee chat sessions were great! We had a Match with 3 of the startups and we already started with some collaborations. The launch trip was valuable. It was great to know other founders and also to meet the MAR+Invest team and allies.

I found it very enlightening working with my mentor, he was really helpful and always there when I had a question. I really enjoyed that I had the opportunity to meet everyone face to face, we also got to socialize and learn about the different projects.

Networking is crucial for small businesses looking for environmental impact, a lot of people are eager to work towards positive social and environmental impact, so taking advantage of it will be a game changer.