The New Ventures program of the World Resources Institute supports sustainable small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) creation in emerging economies. The program accelerates the transfer of venture capital and management expertise to outstanding investment opportunities in fast-growth, environmental sectors such as ecotourism, non-timber forest products and certified wood, organic foods and fibers, renewable energy, sustainable fisheries management, and clean technologies. This page contains research and interviews produced exclusively by the New Ventures team.

Rising Ventures

Suminter India Organics
June 2007
Suminter India Organics was founded on the philosophy that fair, transparent business practices and high-quality products would provide part of a blended value business model that would generate benefits for local farmers while penetrating a significant and growing market for organic goods. Suminter is utilizing this model to establish itself as a leader in organic Indian products, supporting 600 farmers in five villages by commercializing their output in a $31 billion annual global organics market. Read the full profile to learn more about how Suminter uses the principles of "Satva" the Sanskrit word for purity, to create a better way of doing business.

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Conserve HRP
May 2007
Conserve HRP caters to the "fashion with a conscience" crowd by marketing chic hand-made accessories crafted from recycled materials. Conserve employs 300 under-served laborers, mostly women, who acquire the disposed materials and create bags and belts that are sold in stores internationally. Read the full profile to learn more about how this remarkable Indian enterprise is making sustainability values fashionable while generating the revenue it needs to achieve scale.

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Electrocell
May 2007
The idea for Electrocell began with a casual conversation between Gerhard Ett and Gilberto Janolio in the coffee lounge of Sao Paulo Uniersity's CIETEC department. The two realized that they each had worked with fuel cell technology and that they had the technical backgrounds to manufacture the necessary equipment. From this chance encounter, the two brought their respective engineering teams together to create what would later become a Latin-American fuel cell leader. Today, Electrocell is ready to help launch the hydrogen economy in Brazil. Learn more about Electrocell's clean, efficient energy production technology by reading the full profile.

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Investor Edition: LESS Ltd - Envirovision
April 2007
This Investor Feature is based on a recent interview with Yeung Hau Man, founder of Envirovision. Hau Man is dedicating his career to creating sound, standardized sustainability reporting at a time when such reporting is frequently ambiguous, unreliable, and extremely easy to manipulate for the purposes of company "greenwashing."

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DESI Power
March 2007
The concept behind DESI Power is simple - give rural Indian villagers access to cheap energy via efficient biomass generators while simultaneously providing a revenue stream to support the operation of those generators. Yet this basic model has had profound impact in Baharbhari, a pilot village for DESI Power where residents who have long been overlooked by the national government now have dependable access to water and a power source for appliances. Get the full story behind this BOP/Green business model with enormous potential here.

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Hering Instruments
March 2007
Hering Instruments is a small business with more than just profit margins and balance sheets on its agenda, but a industry-wide world changing vision. This profile highlights the current campaign of Hering CEO Alberto Bertolazzi to make sustainably crafted instruments as mainstream as the hybrid car. Read about how Hering is making FSC certified wood as cool as iconic as Gilberto Gil here.

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Investor Edition:
Stratus VCIII
March 2007
This newly launched fund focuses on sustainable SMEs in Brazil's high-growth green sectors. Fund manager Philippe Lisbona discusses the the particulars of investing in small business and explains the trends shaping Brazil's financial sector.

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Natura Fibretech
February 2007
Natura Fibretech takes a material that has been commonplace among the base of India's economic pyramid and popularizes it for mass consumption. Coirply is the abundant, sustainably harvested wood that the entrepreneurs behind Natura believe will propel the company to occupy strong shares of the housing and construction markets in India. By marketing this environmentally responsible, affordable and durable wood alternative, Natura is bringing a BoP technology to the top of the pyramid. Read more about Natura here.

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BioCentinela
January 2007
Growing up, the children called Javier Barragan "naturaleza" because of his affinity for the outdoors. This lover of nature grew to be a tenacious businessman with an unwavering vision for an aquaculture company with mutually reinforcing social, environmental and economic goals: BioCentinela. After an epidemic wiped out shrimp stocks throughout Ecuador, Javier had his chance to convert to organic production. Today BioCentinela is an organic certified and soon to be fairtrade certified shrimp producer with a projected exponential growth rate over the next several years. Read more about BioCentinela by viewing the full profile.

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Beijing Shenwu Thermal Energy Technologies
December 2006
Beijing Shenwu Thermal Energy Technologies is a company representative of larger trends in China. The national economy, driven largely by a burgeoning industrial sector, continues to expand at a fast pace while the government searches out new innovations to channel that economic activity into sustainable growth and advanced technologies. Shenwu is a paragon of this new wave of Chinese businesses - the company manufactures ultra-efficient, low-emission combustion technology for industrial purposes. Learn why the company has received accolades at home and abroad by reading the full profile.

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Sumaya HMX Systems
December 2006
Much is made of the notion that emerging economies can "leapfrog" the developed world by appropriating and repurposing existing technology to create better products and processes. Sumaya HMX is a company that not only believes in this possibility but has made this a key component of its business model. The company manufactures climate control units that are more efficient than traditional air conditioners and are specifically designed for use in tropical, developing country offices and facilities. Learn more about this Indian businesses clean tech solutions by reading the full profile.

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Beijing Worldwell Energy Technologies
December 2006

China's booming industry is an economic juggernaut, pushing national growth to new heights. Yet the country's steel plants, auto factories and other industrial facilities are incredibly inefficient, accounting for much of China's energy consumption, which comprises 58 percent of the total energy consumption in the East Asian Region. The founders of WorldWell harness the massive amounts of excess energy released by these facilities in the form of heat, turning unused resources into a source of stable profits. Learn the full story behind WorldWell's unique solution here.

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ABT Bioproducts
December 2006
Worldwide, farmers are faced with strong incentives to practice unsustainable agricultural techniques that boost crop productivity in the short term while actually damaging fertile land in the long run. ABT Bioproducts was formed by two entrepreneurs with experience in the field of molecular biology who created a range of agricultural products designed to maintain crop productivity while reducing the need for excessive chemical fertilizer and water usage. Learn how this business is changing the face of Indian agriculture by reading the full profile.

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Gram Mooligai Co. Ltd.
November 2006
Gram Mooligai and its Village Herbs label were created to help grant access to quality healthcare for India's rural poor who are either not reached by public programs or cannot afford private services. This innovative NGO offshoot relies on a network of 300 women health practitioners to reach untapped consumers who spend around $50 a year on health services. The company gains the trust of its clients by offering herbal remedies following India's strong heritage of traditional healing. It also benefits from India's rich biodiversity by sustainably harvesting medicines from native plant species.

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Bening Big Tree Farms
November 2006
When Blair and Benjamin Ripple traveled to Indonesia in 1997, they sought to learn more about the rich agricultural heritage of the country's rural farmers. What they found was widespread practice of two heavily flawed systems. One in which traditional producers were finding serious difficulty working in a market economy and another where small-scale farmers had taken on ill-suited, large-scale agricultural techniques that damaged the environment and local community. Read the profile to learn about how these two organic farmers founded a company that found a market opportunity in combining the best practices of both systems.

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Cuadritos
October 2006
The food reprocessing efforts of Cuadritos Biotek stem from a genuine desire on behalf of the company's director, Hector Gonzales, to find a durable solution for widespread hunger in Mexico. Knowing that proper nutrition would be the first step out of poverty for the country's 26 million poor, Hector set out to make use of the 17,000 tons of food Mexicans wate every day. Learn about about how this innovative entrepreneur found a way to feed 93,000 on a daily basis while launching a major food recycling initiative by reading the full profile.

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Berni Labs
October 2006

Several years ago, three ecological disasters involving agro-chemicals struck Jorge Berni's hometown, convincing him to apply his training in chemical engineering to invent a safe, superior alternative to pesticides. Bug Balancer, as the product came to be known, gained instant recognition in the agricultural community of Los Mochis, Mexico as word spread among farmers that Berni's crops were surviving pest invasions that had destroyed others.

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EcoCreto
October 2006

Mexico-based EcoCreto produces, commercializes, and installs an additive for concrete that renders it 100% permeable. The environmental impact of EcoCreto is its permeability, allowing water to flow to underlying aquifers, which in Mexico City are depleting at an alarming rate. In 2000, the company received National Prize of Ecology of the Year in Mexico.

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Óxil Reciclagem de Plásticos Ltda.
September 2006

Oxil has been recovering plastic material for recycling since 1999. The initial geographic market is the region of the Great São Paulo, due to proximity of suppliers and customers. Oxil takes finished products made from PE and PP plastic to recycle them back into granulated plastic. The granulated plastic is sold back into to the plastic industry to be made into products like domestic bottles, toys, and utensils. The company hires employees from local women's cooperatives and incorporates an environmental component in its business model.

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Tramppo Recicla Lâmpadas
September 2006

Tramppo combines conservation with profits by offering a safe disposal service for light bulbs. The company sells replacement bulbs to its clients and sells the usable components of the used bulb before disposing of the rest in the most sustainable manner possible. Tramppo already has sufficient capital for its first disposal module. The company is currently seeking investment to expand its business and have several modules that will take advantage of a dispersed clientele.

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Lótus Química Ambiental Ltda
September 2006
Lotus Quimica Ambiental Ltd. is dedicated to developing and commercializing technologies that facilitate the preservation of natural resources. The company manufactures a chemical that reduces evaporation and can thereby diminish water loss in lakes, dams and reservoirs. This is an especially valuable service in Brazil where, like many countries, intermittent water shortages pose an economic and environmental risk to some of the poorest groups.

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Linax Extração de Óleos Essenciais
August 2006
Linax Essential Oils sustainably produces phytochemicals such as linalol, which is commonly found in perfumes and scented oils. As plants that produce these chemicals are harvested to near extinction, Linax offers an alternative method of processing that relies on renewable sources. This not only helps to protect Brazil's natural resources, it gives the company a competitive edge in the $14 billion a year fragrance market.

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Enersud Indústria e Soluções Energéticas Ltda .
August 2006
Enersud is a leader in the renewable energy market, manufacturing low capacity wind turbines for mass consumption. The company's products are not only environmentally sustainable, they also have the potential to deliver access to energy for Brazil's rural population. Enersud wind turbines thus have the ability to increase the productive capacity of households where little urban infrastructure is available.

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Jiangyou Xun Pai Organic Agriculture Co.
August 2006
This China-based company utilizes innovative organic processes to produce high quality agriculture products. The company specializes in organic roses, which are in demand by companies around the world, but are in short supply. The high quality of Xun Pai roses in this niche market have led to substantial international interest, as it is negotiating to become a supplier for Chinese and European businesses.

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Yunnan Zhenghong Environmental Protection
July 2006
Yunnan Zhenghong was founded to address one of the major energy challenges in rural China; reliance on inefficient and environmentally damaging fuel sources. Yunnan manufactures ovens that replace the traditional wood and straw burning stoves currently used by many households with ones that incorporate natural gas technology for more efficient and cleaner operation.

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AmazonLife
July 2006
This Brazilian enterprise is seeking to change the fashion industry by selling sustainable materials to top designers. AmazonLife's patented Treetap material is made using rubber native to the region and it uses a fairtrade system to ensure its suppliers receive a living wage. By promoting the sustainable use of a rainforest resource and focusing on social as well as financial returns, the company is proving the value of a Triple-Bottom Line approach to business. _________________________________________________________

Primar
July 2006
When one thinks of sectors undergoing rapid transformation, financial services and ICT often come to mind, but rarely the shrimp industry. Without much fanfare, Primar has quietly made attempts to modernize and organize Brazil's heavily informal aquaculture industry. This leadership role began with a transition from conventional to organic shrimp farming in the 1990s that has paid off for the company as it expects to triple output by 2008.

In an audio interview, Primar co-founder Alexandre Wainberg discusses (in Portuguese):

• the benefit of being a family business.... Listen
• making the move to organic production.... Listen
• the advantages of organic shrimp.... Listen
• the need to expand the formal sector.... Listen
• Primar's primary markets.... Listen
• new products on the horizon.... Listen

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DryWash
June 2006
DryWash provides washes and performs small restorations services on vehicles and airplanes. No water is used in the process since DryWash has revolutionized the concept of water-free cleaning for both cars and airplanes. The company is a trend-setter by insisting on operating within the formal economy in an industry where illegal businesses are heavily prevalent. DryWash's success has led it to expand internationally and create a franchise network.

In an audio interview, DryWash International partner Tiago Aguiar discusses:

• the "small business that thinks like a corporation".... Listen
• the popularity of the DryWash system.... Listen
• the technology behind the company.... Listen
• the new line of Eleva products.... Listen
• the benefits of the formal sector.... Listen
• DryWash's forays into the international market.... Listen

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Eletra Industrial, Ltd.
June 2006
Eletra Industrial is an emerging trend-setter in the market for hybrid vehicles. The company manufactures buses and delivery trucks that use advanced technology designed for the frequent stops and idle time common in city traffic. This unique system is more efficient and much less costly than the technology used by most manufacturers today, giving Eletra a strong position as it markets its products to municipal governments in Brazil and the US.

In an audio interview, Director of International Business, Andre Neumann discusses:

• the timely creation of Eletra Industrial.... Listen
• how Eletra's unique system works.... Listen
• why Eletra buses are the best on the market.... Listen
• the cost beneftis of Eletra hybrids.... Listen
• how Eletra plans to penetrate the US market.... Listen
• how Eletra buses are designed to be viable solutions for decades to come.... Listen

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Proteak
May 2006
Proteak is a company that grows and sells high value Teak wood for commercial purposes. The company was founded to serve as a well-managed, transparently run alternative to the notoriously inefficient state enterprises that have historically dominated the industry. The Proteak team's solid private-sector experience and responsible forestry practices are a breath of fresh air in a sector marred by corruption and illegal logging. After several rounds of successful investments, the company will be ready to begin selling on the open market by the end of the year.

In an audio interview, Proteak co-founder Hector Bonilla discusses:

• the spontaneous origins of the company.... Listen
• why Proteak is a solid investment.... Listen
• integrating sustainability and profitability.... Listen
• advice for the next generation of MBAs.... Listen
• where the company is headed.... Listen
• Proteak's most important milestones.... Listen

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Rainforest Expeditions
May 2006
RFE has operated as a highly successful eco-tourism business since it was founded in 1992. The company currently maintains four eco-lodges in parts of the Peruvian Amazon, where it has an active parnership with local communities to provide a quality customer experience and enivronmental expertise. Not only do local residents supply educational services for RFE clients, they also own the lodges themselves, giving them a truly equal stake in the success of the enterprise. As RFE looks to expand its services into new regions it is constantly seeking out innovative ways to generate returns for its investors as well as local stakeholders. With strong prospects for generating further investment, the enterprise proves that the eco-tourism industry is on the rise.

In an audio interview, RFE co-founder Kurt Holle discusses:

• The benefits of community-owned lodges.... Listen
• Finding a profitable way to preserve the Amazons.... Listen
• his strategy for future growth.... Listen
• taking advantage of the changing investment environment.... Listen
• Advice for future sustainable entrepreneurs.... Listen
• The best part about running RFE.... Listen

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Vehizero
April 2006
Vehizero is a Mexico based company that produces highly-efficient hybrid vehicles for business and household use. Their cars and trucks deliver up to a 60% reduction in fuel usage and the engineering behind each model is some of the best in the sector. Vehizero's superior design and cost benefits are fueling its rapid expansion. With investments from firms such as E+Co and Conacyt, the company plans to produce three new models in the coming years and expand its employee base from 17 to 100. With its bright prospects, Vehizero is proving that the marriage of innovation and sustainability can lead to financial success.

In an audio interview, Vehizero co-founder Sean O'Hea discusses:

• how Vehizero is "Demystifying the Hybrid".... Listen
• the environmental and cost benefits of Vehizero vehicles.... Listen
• Mexico City's traffic issues.... Listen
• the changing investment outlook for Mexico.... Listen
• details on Vehizero's current models.... Listen
• how he became a chemical engineer.... Listen

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Solar Trade Corporation
April 2006
Solar Trade Corporation has the exclusive rights to manufacture and sell industrial solar biomass coffee dryers designed by its non-profit affiliate. The innovative patent-pending technology delivers significant cost savings in energy while delivering improved coffee quality and environmental benefits. STC's system gives local growers greater control of the supply chain by allowing them to prepare their own coffee for direct sale in the global market. By empowering these farmers to manage their own production, STC is helping to foster enterprise and access to resources directly at the BOP.

In this audio interview, Vice President and Marketing Manager Richard Trubey discusses:

• how STC's three products integrate to form one seamless solution.... Listen
• mitigating risk to draw greater investment.... Listen
• the environmental benefits of the STC system.... Listen
• plans to expand sales of Cafe Solar coffee... Listen
• lessons learned adjusting to the private sector... Listen
• how his team created a successful enterprise... Listen

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Sustenta Soluciones
March 2006.
Sustenta Soluciones transforms environmentally friendly products from low income producers into high-end corporate gifts for companies such as Nestle, Shell and Hyatt. With strong sales and a potential market of more than $1 billion, the company is introducing products to the green marketing sector that allows companies to "walk the talk" while educating their corporate clients on the importance of sustainability.

In this audio interview, Santiago Lobeira, co-founder of Sustenta Soluciones discusses:

• the creation of the enterprise... Listen
• his experience as an environmental strategist and advice for new eco-entrepreneurs... Listen
• his plans for the future of the company... Listen
• the inspiration behind his business... Listen
• the concept of "marketing with a cause"... Listen

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Aires de Campo
March 2006
Aires de Campo works with over 120 small farms to provide organic consumer goods for Mexican families at affordable prices. The company's several retail outlets or "BioCenters" promote bio-diversity by drawing on local varities of maize, vanilla, and other species for many of their 400 unique products. With sales expected to increase ten fold by 2009, Aires de Campo highlights significant growth in the organic foods sector and a rising trend among consumers to buy locally produced goods.

In a recent audio interview, Aires de Campo founder Pablo Muñozledo discusses:

• the current threat to Mexico's wealth of biological capital... Listen
• how businesses lose out by ignoring the profit potential of bio-diversity... Listen
• the strategies Aires de Campo utilizes to tap into this undiscovered opportunity... Listen