The second call for the Entrepreneurial Fund, organized by the Wiese Foundation, has recently ended, and the investment committee has designated the four social ventures that will make up the second portfolio. These projects, as they advance to the third phase of the Entrepreneurial Fund, will receive financing of S/150,000, accompanied by personalized professional advice and other benefits for one year.
In this post, we want to tell you a little more about the winners of this edition, so that you can discover how much they are doing for the country, its culture and its population.
Peruvian Association of Blood Donors
The Peruvian Association of Blood Donors (APDS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation in Peru. Its work is of great importance due to alarming statistics showing that only 1.03% of the Peruvian population donated blood in 2021, a figure well below international standards.
Currently, the APDS operates with two hemo-buses that travel around the capital. Its mission is to raise awareness about the vital importance of blood donation, as it is essential to save lives in situations of surgery, cancer treatment, transplants and more. In this scenario, the APDS conducts campaigns periodically. Be attentive to their social media accounts, as they publish weekly the different spots where the hemo-bus will be located.
Inkao Perú
Inkao Perú is a women-led enterprise dedicated to the production of high-quality products derived from cacao and chocolate. However, their commitment goes beyond commercial production, as they work closely with farmers in the Valley of the Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), with the purpose of promoting the cultivation of creole cacao as a sustainable alternative to the cultivation of illicit coca leaf.
Inkao Peru’s work is crucial, as the VRAEM confronts extreme poverty and social challenges. Thus, the enterprise contributes to transforming the region’s natural resources, especially cacao, into high-quality products, which benefits the local economy and provides farmers with a profitable and ethical option.
Away Pallay
Away Pallay is a leading Peruvian social enterprise that works in collaboration with high-Andean female weavers in the Cusco region. Its approach goes beyond commercial production, as it is dedicated to empowering these women, providing them not only with a source of income, but also a means to express their art and culture through traditional textiles.
The enterprise distinguishes itself by its commitment to innovation, fusing Andean tradition with contemporary fashion in order to reach a wider audience and make the rich Andean culture known around the world. Moreover, their focus on sustainability and fair trade ensures that weavers are paid fairly for their work, improving their quality of life and that of their families. The enterprise has expanded internationally through its online store and offers experiential tourism experiences that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the Andean culture.
Caxacori Studio
Caxacori Studio is a sustainable fashion enterprise that stands out for its innovative approach to the preservation of the Amazon and support for Awajún communities. The enterprise works closely with these communities to promote the sustainable collection of latex from shiringa trees, instead of cutting down trees. This approach not only protects the Amazon forest and its biodiversity, but also reduces deforestation. In addition, by working directly with Awajún families, they ensure that they are paid fairly for their work, improving their lives without relying on the destructive exploitation of natural resources.
The third phase of the Entrepreneur Fund has begun, where, with the support from UNESCO, W Capital SAFI, UTEC Ventures, and Damma Legal Advisors, we will provide these enterprises not only with economic resources to continue their operations and growth, but also with the necessary tools to improve their strategic decision-making, and the possibility for them to strengthen their network of professional contacts and grow their social impact.
You may also be interested in these topics:
- Away Pallay and its commitment to sustainable fashion: Discover its work with weavers in Cusco
2. Inkao Peru: Promoting cacao cultivation in the VRAEM valley
3. The Peruvian Association of Blood Donors and the importance of donating blood in Peru
4. CAXACORI STUDIO: An inspiring example of sustainability and conservation in the Amazon forests
