CLP26 — Historical (4 ideas)

Historical CLP26 ClimateLaunchpad applications

Ecoaldeas frutales · Efficiency

Ecoaldeas frutales

Country: Costa Rica Category: Efficiency Stage: Ideation Team Size: 1

Elevator Pitch

Eco-friendly design Homegrown fruits and vegetables Generates electricity, water, gas, and compost, and supports recycling

Climate Problem

Concrete homes account for 40% of global CO2 emissions and cost families 60% of their income. 100 million people in Latin America cannot afford affordable housing. Earth, bamboo, and recycled waste reduce emissions by 90%, but cities lack the models and funding to scale this approach.

Solution

Create eco-villages with 2 hectares per family or 1 hectare for growing food, building homes out of mud, recycled materials, or bamboo, with free electricity and water, and biogas And in cities, plant fruit trees along sidewalks so we don’t have to rely on supermarkets

Revenue Model

Three sources of revenue: 1) Developers pay for design and construction. 2) Municipalities pay to reduce carbon emissions and waste. 3) Residents pay a low fee for electricity and water, which is 70% cheaper. Tokens fund maintenance.

Target Market

Low-income families looking to buy their first home at an affordable price in ecovillages, wealthy individuals interested in establishing ecovillages, and middle-class workers willing to help create them

Demand Evidence

Costa Rica faces a housing shortage of 150,000 units, and energy costs rose by 30% in 2025. Municipalities have set zero-emissions goals but lack an affordable model. Families want affordable housing. Developers are pursuing green construction to access climate funds.

Competitors

Traditional concrete developers are the main competition, but their homes are expensive and polluting. No local developer builds entire eco-villages using adobe, bamboo, and recycled materials on a large scale. Earthships do exist, but they are not urban.

Founder Expertise

I am an entrepreneur with expertise in earthen construction, bamboo construction, and sustainable building. I understand the housing shortage in Costa Rica and have a network of contacts in the construction industry. I am looking for technical mentors to validate the model and scale up the business.

External Support

I haven't looked into any yet. I'm seeking technical support, mentoring, and validation through Climatelanchpad to launch the first pilot.

Team

Founder: I lead the vision, research, and business model. I have expertise in building with earth, bamboo, and recycled materials. I am looking for a technical co-founder with a background in architecture and mentorship through ClimateLaunchpad to validate our impact and scale our operations.

Founder

Roy Badilla solano

Siloe Garden · Eco Sanctuary · Food & Agriculture

Siloe Garden · Eco Sanctuary

Country: Costa Rica Category: Food & Agriculture Stage: Launched Team Size: 3

Elevator Pitch

An organic nursery in La Cangreja (1,600 meters above sea level), run by a female head of household. We grow medicinal, ornamental, and fruit plants without agrochemicals and protect 1 hectare of cloud forest. We combine sustainable production with rural ecotourism.

Climate Problem

Deforestation of cloud forests in Costa Rica due to a lack of economic value. Without incentives, landowners destroy the forest. Siloe Garden demonstrates that conserving 1 hectare generates more income than clearing the forest.

Solution

Ecotourism center + organic nursery on 1 hectare of cloud forest in El Guarco, Cartago. Interpretive trails, pesticide-free plants grown in our own handmade potting mix, and home delivery. Conservation becomes a profitable business.

Revenue Model

Ecotourism tickets (₡2,500 for adults / ₡1,500 for seniors), sale of medicinal and ornamental plants, gazebo rentals, and home delivery in Cartago and the Greater Antioquia Metropolitan Area (GAM). Year 1 goal: ₡7,696,00

Target Market

Costa Rican families with gardens (income: ₡350,000–₡2.5 million/month) in Cartago and the Greater Antigua Metropolitan Area (GAM). 605,000 residents in the catchment area. Interested in affordable family ecotourism and organic medicinal plants.

Demand Evidence

Actual sales via Facebook and WhatsApp before the official opening. In-house survey (n=10): 100% interest, 80% have a garden, 9 out of 10 use Facebook to shop. Tourism in Cartago grew by 8% per year (2020–2024).

Competitors

No direct competitors offering an ecotourism + organic nursery model in El Guarco. Indirect competitors: Jardín Lankester (orchids, ₡3,500, no nursery), Irazú Volcano (₡1,000, no picnic area). Siloe is the only hybrid model.

Founder Expertise

Certified in Naturopathy, Hotel Management (Penn Foster, USA), TSU Data Center, and INA training in Agricultural Project Development and Rural Entrepreneurship. Active digital channel with actual plant sales.

External Support

I have received training from INA Costa Rica in the evaluation and development of agricultural projects and rural entrepreneurship, including both theoretical instruction and hands-on fieldwork, during which I visited established ecological models.

Team

Property developer: administration, nursery, trail guide, and digital sales. Family assistant (son): nursery and weekend deliveries. Temporary staff: cleaning and maintenance of the facility

Founder

Rosa Haydee Gavidia

CASA RAÍZ In contexts where housing often develops informally, we propose a return to essentials: a home rooted in place, connected to its environment, its people, and their real possibilitie

CASA RAÍZ In contexts where housing often develops informally, we propose a return to essentials: a home rooted in place, connected to its environment, its people, and their real possibilities.

Country: Guatemala Category: Clean Industry Stage: Ideation Team Size: 4

Elevator Pitch

To scale a modular, sustainable housing solution that improves quality of life while reducing environmental impact. We seek mentorship, validation, and networks to bring dignified housing to growing communities.

Climate Problem

Around 40% percent of global co2 emissions comes from construction It increases climate vulnerability and limits access to safe, dignified living conditions.

Solution

We design modular, climate-responsive housing using local materials and passive strategies. Our system reduces waste, improves thermal comfort, and allows incremental, affordable construction

Revenue Model

Revenue comes from direct sales, customization services, and partnerships with developers, NGOs, and community housing programs

Target Market

Low- to middle-income families, Mayan and indigenous communities with low income backgrounds.

Demand Evidence

20 percent of Guatemalan people come from extreme poverty while 60 percent are from a mid to low class. Field insights show housing is often built progressively without technical guidance. There is strong demand for affordable and flexible housing

Competitors

Traditional construction and informal self-built housing

Founder Expertise

Architecture student with experience in design, modular thinking, and construction processes. Background in real projects, technical drawings, and user spatial design

External Support

No

Team

architectural design, concept development, and project strategy, modeling and rendering

Founder

Ana Dominguez

KEKIN ENERGY · Clean Energy

KEKIN ENERGY

Country: Peru Category: Clean Energy Stage: Prototype

Elevator Pitch

Kekin Energy is a startup focused on developing sustainable solutions by using organic waste to generate biogas and value-added products. Our project promotes the circular economy by reducing the impa

Climate Problem

Kekin Energy converts organic waste into biogas and clean electricity, reducing harmful emissions, minimizing waste, and promoting sustainable energy through a circular economy model.

Solution

Kekin Energy uses biogas digesters to convert organic waste and prickly pear into biogas and clean electricity, reducing pollution, repurposing waste, and generating sustainable energy for communities and industries.

Revenue Model

Kekin Energy will generate revenue by producing and selling clean gas and electricity to rural communities, installing sustainable biodigesters, and marketing organic fertilizers derived from the process.

Target Market

Kekin Energy's target market consists of rural communities, agricultural areas, and industries seeking access to clean energy, a reduction in organic waste, and sustainable solutions through biogas and electricity generation.

Demand Evidence

There is a demand for this solution because many rural communities and industries face high energy costs and problems related to organic waste. Kekin Energy offers a sustainable, affordable alternative that has a positive environmental impact.

Competitors

Our main competitors are solar panels and natural gas; however, many rural areas in Peru still do not have full access to these solutions. Kekin Energy aims to bring sustainable energy to remote communities.

Founder Expertise

I bring expertise in agroindustrial engineering, sustainability, biogas digesters, process analysis, innovation, and the circular economy. I also have experience in environmental projects, continuous improvement, and digital tools for data analysis.

External Support

Kekin Energy has received a non-monetary award for innovation and sustainability from the Peruvian Association of Engineers, which has helped strengthen and improve the development of our clean energy and circular economy solutions.

Team

The main functions include research, the development of biogas digesters, process analysis, technical validation, project management, and the search for sustainable solutions for the production of clean gas and electricity.

Founder

ROMAN ENRIQUE QUISPE GARCIA