Submitted
2025 Global Economic Prosperity Challenge

Agave 100

Team Leader
Jesus Roberto Sanchez
Agave 100 transforms the agave industry's massive waste problem into a driver of economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. We convert discarded aga80ve biomass—leaves, bagasse, and vinasse—into four commercial product lines using custom pelletization technology: 1. Agave Forage – nutrient-rich livestock feed for cattle. 2. Energy Pellets – clean-burning biofuel that replaces diesel and LP gas. 3. Flamor – gourmet BBQ...
What is the name of your organization?
Agave 100
What is the name of your solution?
Agave 100
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Transforming agave waste into profitable, sustainable products that generate income, clean energy, and jobs for underserved rural communities.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Irapuato, Guanajuato State, Bajío Region. Guanajuato is the second largest agave producing state in the country with 55,000 hectares distributed across seven municipalities and a production of 450,000 tons annually
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
MEX
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
The agave industry in Mexico discards 95% of the plant, generating over 1.3 million tons of leaves, 522,000 tons of bagasse, and 7 billion liters of vinasse annually. This results in pollution equivalent to 2 million tons of CO₂, contributing to climate change, contaminating soil and water, and posing a health risk to nearby communities. At the same time, 42% of rural families in agave-producing regions live in POVERTY, facing limited employment opportunities, informality, and low resilience to climate and economic shocks. Women in these regions are disproportionately excluded from formal jobs and digital opportunities. Producers lack cost-effective waste management systems, and there is little incentive to innovate due to the sector’s traditional practices and low margins. Agave 100 solves this by transforming agave waste into high-value, sustainable products—livestock feed, energy pellets, BBQ smoking pellets, and biodegradable cat litter—while creating jobs, generating income in underserved rural communities, and reducing emissions. Through a WhatsApp-based employment model, we directly include rural women in the supply chain. By applying circular economy principles to an overlooked agricultural sector, we help reduce poverty, strengthen rural economies, and build more inclusive and climate-resilient livelihoods
What is your solution?
Agave 100 transforms the agave industry's massive waste problem into a driver of economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. We convert discarded aga80ve biomass—leaves, bagasse, and vinasse—into four commercial product lines using custom pelletization technology: 1. Agave Forage – nutrient-rich livestock feed for cattle. 2. Energy Pellets – clean-burning biofuel that replaces diesel and LP gas. 3. Flamor – gourmet BBQ smoking pellets with agave flavor profiles. 4. K-mita – biodegradable, chemical-free pet litter. Our innovation lies not just in technology but in creating a replicable circular economy model. Each product generates revenue, reduces pollution, and serves a growing market. We’ve integrated a WhatsApp-based rural employment program to onboard women in remote areas with no prior digital experience. This allows us to digitally train, communicate, and pay workers with minimal infrastructure. Our facility is already operational, with sales of 80 thousand USD annualy by Dec 2024, and partnerships with over 50 agave producers. All our solutions are built to scale across agave regions in Latin America and beyond. Agave 100 is not just a waste solution—it’s a platform for clean energy, inclusive jobs, and resilient rural economies.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Agave 100 serves underserved rural populations, agave producers, women in informal economies, and environmentally-conscious consumers. We directly benefit: ● Agave producers by converting a costly waste problem into a revenue stream. ● Rural women by offering paid, flexible employment through a WhatsApp-based model, that eliminates barriers like mobility, digital literacy, or formal education. ● Livestock farmers by providing affordable, high-fiber feed, helping support cattle and lowering operational costs. ● Industrial users and households by supplying sustainable energy pellets and biogas capable of powering 50,000 homes. ● Pet care and BBQ consumers by offering biodegradable litter and gourmet smoking pellets made from upcycled agave. In regions where 42 percent of families live in poverty and access to formal employment is limited, our solution creates dignified jobs, diversifies income, and strengthens rural economies. The environmental co-benefits—such as reclaiming 15,000 hectares through natural fertilizers and reducing 2 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually—further enhance local health and sustainability. Agave 100 is more than a waste solution. It is an inclusive platform that empowers communities, especially women, to lead climate-smart, economically resilient lives.
Solution Team:
Jesus Roberto Sanchez
Jesus Roberto Sanchez