CloudForest Organics

My name is Craig Leon, founder of CloudForest Organics. My diverse work experiences have led me to develop a carbon-negative, regenerative agroforestry food system that protects wildlife. 

I believe it's my generation's responsibility, who created disastrous climate change challenges, to help FICZ (think fix) our precious, at-risk planet: Food Security with forest-based ancient nutritious foods, Income Generation alternatives for ranchers and forest-based communities, Climate Crisis reversal, and Zoonotic Pandemic mitigation by monitoring endangered wildlife habitats. 

In the '80s, I was was Ecuador's first honeydew melon exporter and among the first to promote quinoa. In the early '90s, I co-established Ecuador's first certified organic produce business. I've also co-raised 2 sons, founded film company Future History Films, and headed corporate research and communications with Institutional Investor. 

I'm fortunate to have formed a team to incorporate agricultural technology and ancestral knowledge with community experience to launch an agroforestry paradigm that saves bears. 

The Ecuadorian cloud forest is one of the most biodiverse biomes on Earth, yet the habitat of wildlife is being destroyed by cattle-ranching. Globally, cloud forests are nearly wiped out.

CloudForest Organics is converting pastures and degraded lands close to primary forests, with a concentration of native, forgotten, delicious edible plants. We are piloting a replicable carbon-negative food system symbiotic with endangered habitats. 

Based on market testing and lab analyses, the star crop is tree legume Porotón (pronounced por-o-ton). It is critical for reforestation, and has 24% protein content with an amino acid structure similar to milk.

This project can elevate humanity by protecting flora and fauna including nearly extinct white-spectacled bears; providing carbon-negative, healthy foods for local schools and ultimately educating (and nourishing) global consumers; creating a new job paradigm from destructive cattle ranching to vegetable protein production that rebuilds forests; and leaving future generations with a healthy Earth.

Today, agriculture and cattle ranching are responsible for 70% of habitat conversion in Latin America, accounting for 70% of water usage and 25% GhG emissions related to land use change. 

In the specific region of Napo where we operate, the deforestation rate is recorded at 2,735 hectares per year, though informal estimates are higher. Growing protein demand, and lack of sensible economic alternatives on fragile, steep, nutrient-poor soils of the high Amazon cloud forest has resulted in low-productivity subsistence grazing and deforested cloud forest habitats. 

Recent drops in dairy prices are opening cattle ranchers to alternatives. Reforesting with edible, endemic tree crops is beneficial because globally, plant based protein markets are rising: up  20% in 2018 to surpass 4.6bn, outpacing overall food sale growth by 10x. 

CloudForest Organics provides potential to switch from animal to vegetable protein on degraded lands, and ranchers will benefit over time from reforesting and protecting wildlife habitats and water sources. We create possibilities for bringing back cloud forests filled with ancient superfoods to improve local nutrition, provide new income sources for local communities, and save the endangered cloud forest.

Deforestation is a global problem; healthy food insufficiency is another. CloudForest Organics aims to solve both.

We are building an analogue forest with varying tree density with edible plants, all native species, with different percentages of target tree legume “porotón” while propagating plants for broader reforestation. Primary forest is left intact. 

We manage secondary forest growth incorporating endemic edible species like Ishpingo (Licaria applanata) an exotic cinnamon, Motilón (Hieronyma macrocarpa) a purple tree berry akin to Açaí, and high Amazon Guayusa (Ilex Spp) more delicious than the commercial guayusa. Also we are planting higher densities of Aguacatillo (Persia caerulea) for white-spectacled bears and other wildlife species based on monitoring analyses and visible evidence. 

We are initiating botanical ID, grafting and genetic selection techniques to propagate planting systems that provide greatest chance of success and replicability. In the case of porotón, this includes bean size, natural resistance, productivity, precociousness. 

Flora and fauna monitoring systems include bioacoustics and camera/video trapping technologies, drones, transecting, hopefully satellite imagery analysis. We are documenting the process using drones and video software. 

Experiments with local adaptations to food processing technologies led to delicious, nutritious cloud forest products such as "porotón" chips, while the flour is highly versatile.

Community outreach is central for cattle ranchers to benefit from profitable reforestation with endemic, tree-based superfoods.

If we succeed with this radically different food production pilot that builds wildlife habitats and forests rather than competing with them, we are creating a new job market for local communities, growing healthy foods with an educational story. We are sequestering carbon, protecting water sources, saving wild animals, while feeding lots of people with forest-building nutrition. 

The high Amazon montane where we operate, is home to 1246 of Ecuador’s 2745 land vertebrate species. Some 183 species are endemic; 80 risk extinction, including white-spectacled bears, tapirs, Andean eagles and peregrine falcons. 

For local cattle ranchers, this is a transitional opportunity as their income drops from dairy and meat sales. 

The whole world benefits from a replicable model of growing healthy, carbon negative foods that protect biodiversity, both flora and fauna.

We are actively engaging local farmers, trying to help them find economically sustainable ways to transition, but are cognizant that switching to new tree crops is a challenge and environmentalism is perceived as a conflict with immediate economic interests. 

We are tracking the impact of the wild animals that we seek to preserve with experts from the Wildlife Conservation Society and implementing a rigorous control system, and planting for the animals. 

CloudForest Organics addresses all three dimensions of the Elevate Prize.

Rural communities in the high Amazon cloud forests, often responsible for deforesting, need practical, feasible and profitable alternatives to make a good living. 

The problem of deforestation, leading to habitat loss of nearly extinct animal and plant species and triggering climate change disaster and contributing to zoonotic pandemics like Covid-19, is one of the biggest challenges of our time. CloudForest Organics addresses these problems with economically viable solutions that answer to a mind shift of ecologically-driven consumers. 

The cattle ranchers in this project become the greatest proponents of ecological solutions.

In 2012, my wife and I sold our cars and other assets and bought 150 acres of cloud forest that was being cleared for cattle. Maybe it was a midlife crisis? It made no financial sense. Immediately I faced invasion challenges, so I bought law suits as well. I was threatened, as were the people collaborating with me, though we did win the law suit. 

Our project borders the Cayambe Coca ecological reserve, and lands were being deforested around me.

I visited the property with members of the Seed Saver Network, who I had met while working of a documentary about how to feed 10 billion by 2050. They were amazed to find that the original, ancestral, non-domesticated variety of porotón (Erythrina edulis) was abundant on my land. They also identified at least 10 other at-risk edible plant species. 

As I had founded Andean Organics back in the 1990s, I thought, what if we could go next-gen organic, reforesting with these edible plants, and instead of a carbon-neutral system could actually be a model for carbon-negative food production?

I enlisted participation from the local community, The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society, and other organizations for a holistic solution.

When I see efforts to prepare to inhabit other planets because we've trashed this one, I believe we need to salvage this one. This is my life mission.  

I feel that I am an employee of a goal, human and planetary survival, way bigger than myself, a reasons for existence and something that I can catalyze. I imagine multiple simultaneous efforts, as highlighted by the amazing projects presented to MIT Solve. 

My dream is regenerative agroforestry food systems that protect wildlife, to  be replicated and improved upon, not only throughout the Andean corridor of the High Amazon, but other cloud forests globally that are disappearing. For this to happen, I put to service my documentary skills to track this entire process.

You can see the destruction of the forest around us. It's still happening. I feel connected to the world around me, and make lifestyle choices "living the vision." 

With the Covid-19 pandemic, the UN Environmental Program plea to preserve forests and stop animal trafficking becomes even more essential. CDC recognizes that 6 in 10 modern diseases are zoonotic in nature. I feel an urgency to protect and monitor wildlife habitats, while growing carbon-negative, healthy foods.

Check this video: https://vimeo.com/276049777

I think my passion to make this happen is my greatest strength, and the ability to muster the support of a wide range of institutions and individuals, as this is not something to be done alone. 

National Park rangers support this; we have buy-in of local processors, restauranteurs and some cattle ranchers, all important influencers. Our agronomist has worked to develop and propagate top cacao varieties. Other farms in the area are already advancing with our key target crops, and we can share learning experiences. My wife, my greatest ally, is determined to protect the white-spectacled bears.

I am well positioned because many factors come together, economic and environmental. The Nature Conservancy has been involved in our prototype phase and would join us in a corporate engagement should we expand production. Market testing has gone great with enthusiastic potential buyers. And the products from the forest are delicious. The Wildlife Conservation Society is also working directly with us to monitor wildlife impact.

My track record is also strong:  at Harvard Business School I worked with agribusiness guru Ray Goldberg to set up an organic farming system in Ecuador which led to Andean Organics. Since then the market has exploded. I've worked in corporate marketing, and I've made award-winning documentaries. These skills enable me to assist with market strategy and documenting this process for replication. 

Most important, we are in the right place at the necessary time. Global awareness is increasing that we cannot continue our current agricultural practices and survive. 

Soon after buying the cloud forest land, we were invaded. The forest we acquired was being chopped down. However as this was the modus operandi for the community for 50 years, who was I to change this? Ecological initiatives were perceived as meaningless to people who needed to live from this land. I was threatened; the rancher who sold me the land faced machete-wielding cattle-ranchers who saw this project as a threat to their livelihood. The national park rangers, desperate to stop poaching and tree-chopping, were powerless and threatened too.

It would be so much easier to take the wild plants I had found, and go to a location easier to grow, no threats, and focus on building markets for the next superfood. 

Instead, I've persevered here, and slowly am winning support. Some cattle ranchers have actually gone vegan! The Chamber of Commerce sees Ecuador as a country of niches, and supports the idea of these new superfoods that are perfect for the growing regenerative food markets. Ecuador depends on exports. 

The challenges are still high as we develop outreach and socialization programs with Wildlife Conservation Society and develop short-term economic solutions while educating on the value of forest preservation.

Despite my academic training, as Pyne Prize winner as outstanding undergrad at Princeton with an MBA  from Harvard, and having established Ecuador's first certified organic export business, I chose to give my Ecuadorian wife career priority.  

After founding Andean Organics (winner of Porter/Freund Entrepreneur of the Year Harvard award), I grew the business, then passed management to my local team, and sold the business, believing in her potential. I took the role of primary caregiver to our two sons. 

I took a job with Institutional Investor magazine for 20 years, working my way horizontally from freelance writer to associate publisher Northern Europe, director for Latin America and director of Asia research, assuring flexibility to follow my wife to Costa Rica, Sweden, Brazil and Malaysia, interspersed with Ecuador. I learned it was possible to adapt my professional life as she reached the highest rank achieved by a female career diplomat in the Ecuadorian foreign service, now Ambassador and Undersecretary, Africa/Asia/Middle East. 

Leadership includes setting an example. Men can support gender equality by giving women they love career priority, yet still succeed with their dreams later on. Mine is to reforest the high Amazon with ancient edible plants while rebuilding wildlife habitats. 

CloudForest Organics´ principal innovation vis-a-vis other valuable initiatives (compared below) is our carbon-negative, biodiverse food system featuring ancient vegetable protein "porotón" to regenerate cloud forests and wildlife habitats. Many initiatives produce food outside of nature; we address the "white-spectacled bear in the room" head-on, creating a food forest for wildlife and people; resilient because it addresses the heart of this global problem.

Combining ancestral knowledge with grafting and cloning technologies and tracking wildlife impact to assure animal-safe agroforestry, we position ourselves as leader among regenerative agriculture ventures. We put ourselves at service of nature, rather than seeing how nature can serve us.

Five examples of alternative approaches:

a) Organic, fair trade cacao and coffee growers - fulfills growing niche of regenerative agriculture, helps communities make a living, but environmental impact is questionable (introducing crops, may remove natural habitat) instead of native crops that regenerate forest, offer new ingredients, and support improvements in local diet.

b) Impossible Burger - affordable, accessible protein, but limited to consumers comfortable with GMOs. Soy is environmentally destructive. CloudForest Organics  has wild, organic protein that protects white-spectacled bears. 

c) Beyond Meat - uses non-organic pea protein and some artificial ingredients. Unlike pea protein whose flavor has to be covered, porotón enhances flavors. 

d) Insect proteins -cultural bias limits market potential, may lead to mono-cropping host plant species.

e) Nut-based proteins - almond production wastes water, Porotón protects critical water sources for the Amazon as it is a critical plant for reforestation independent of its nutritional value. 

Our end goal is simple: restore high Amazon cloud forests and animal habitats closely to their original state.

At the core of our theory of change is reversing the negative feedback loop of subsistence farming which destroys cloud forests. 

Ancient plants go extinct. Wildlife habitats get destroyed. Carbon emissions rise. Global warming is exacerbated. As local dairy and meat prices drop, cattle ranchers expand territories further into the forest.

Economic development theory from the 1970s encouraged migration into forests to "work the land," clearing trees and developing agricultural production. Nutrient-poor soils on steep hillsides in high Amazon frontier lands offered limited economically viable options; cattle grazing for meat and dairy made sense, providing income for rural communities, while mitigating rural to urban migration. Wildlife and nature were perceived as limitless and dispensable resources; jobs and economic growth came first.

Fast forward to 2020. Climate change is palpable in the Andean corridor; poverty and joblessness are worse; water sources are being destroyed; women are undervalued in secondary roles ; at-risk white spectacled bears get shot and killed by cattle ranchers who need to protect their livelihoods; dollarization of Ecuadorian economy making Peruvian and Colombian milk and meat cheaper, hurting cattle ranching profitability.

But what else has changed? Exponential demand for wild, organic, gluten-free foods, especially vegetable proteins. Successful track record of quinoa and amaranth. Growing governmental and consumer awareness of the value of preserving forests and wildlife. A forward-looking Ecuadorian constitution that gives rights to nature. Growing influence of women in the community demanding and effecting change. Locally, people prefer organic. Some cattle farming families in Quijos have gone vegan!

Our Proof of Concept phase, carried out with expertise from The Nature Conservancy (TNC), included extensive literature reviews, meetings with cattle farming families, and cross-referencing other TNC initiatives. Successful product trials led to letters of support from Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Nuubia chocolate and República del Cacao.

Mardoqueo Vásconez, neighboring 81-year-old cattle farmer who initiates our pitch video, sums it up: "before we chopped the forest, now we have to use the vegetation of the forest itself for survival."

Current number of people: 50 (people directly involved with this project, and the people we have already reached out to who are part of the transformation in the field).

Current number of wildlife species: approximately 100. We will have more exact numbers with the fauna inventory in the coming months. 

Number serving in 1 year: 60-120 (we will be assisting with plant stock, community outreach with educational programs on forest protection and short-term solutions for cattle ranchers).

In 5 years, easily 400 converted cattle ranchers, with thousands of consumers (including school children in healthy lunch programs consuming local forest foods). Over ten years, as the carbon-negative agroforestry food system expands to other lands and food products are commercialized, this project contemplates thousands of producers and millions of consumers. 

Animals protected over the next 10-20 years (it takes about 18 years to regenerate forest from pasture lands): 1246 species of terrestrial vertebrates in the oriental montane of the Andes corridor cloud forest. This includes 5 mammal species, 18 bird species, 13 reptiles species and 44 amphibians in danger of extinction. This includes thousands of animals.

We are documenting processes to span this project out to include Colombia and Peru, which share the same ecosystem of High Amazon cloud forest, increasing our impact to the millions. Thousands of hectares of degraded lands could be converted back to productive forests. Millions of at risk animals whose habitat would be preserved. This means with new employment, and millions of consumers with a carbon-negative alternative.

Reforestation and this model needs to be viewed over a longer time horizon than 5 years. Let's look at a 18-20 year transformation window converting degraded pastures into edible forests and wildlife habitats.

Our immediate goals are to verify that we can truly rebuild forest as close to primary as possible but also propagate edible plant varieties in densities that are productive enough to generate revenue to compete with cattle ranching. 

We also need to conduct extensive nutrient and micro-nutrient analyses of porotón (Erythrina edulis) and the other cloud forest edible plants  and explore different processing technologies. Our 30g sample of delicious porotón chips using a local adaptation of the vacuum fryer meets at least these recommended daily allowances (many more need to be tested): protein (24% content, 12% RDA); phosphorus (8%); iron (10%); folic acid (15%); vitamin C (15%), zinc (6%); yet only 5% fat, 12% carbohydrates.

We must advance in our varietal selection and development of the cloning garden; test various reproductive techniques for porotón variety selection; ditto with the other target crops. We also need to do a full inventory of the edible plants endemic to the forest, and continue advancing on our  methodology measuring the impact on the wildlife around us. 

This is essential to make recommendations sensible to cattle ranchers and communities we hope to serve, and  assure setting proper bases for a sustainable systems change that diversifies the human diet and production system possibilities as we aim to nourish 10 billion people by 2050.  

There is pressure in National Park buffer zone lands to continue to chop forests, as the economy is negatively affected by Covid-19 and cattle ranchers and their families clear wildlife habitat to make a living. 

From impact investors, we risk pressure to turn this into the next "quinoa" organic superfood, putting agricultural production priorities ahead of the reforestation goals. 

We want to prioritize the environmental recovery over the business, yet recognize that without profitability potential there is little hope of change. 

On the technical front, our agronomist is applying cloning and grafting technologies used for commercial species such as cacao to accelerate reforestation, but this is a pioneer project with plant species where these technologies have not yet been applied. 

Most of these foods are barely known locally, mostly remembered by elders in the community but the younger generations are unfamiliar and it is common for these food trees, even the porotón, to be cut down as many do not know the history, nutritional value, culinary uses and economic potential. 

Most of the subsistence farmers live day to day, and do not have the economic capacity to wait years for trees to produce, with uncertain markets no matter how promising they may be. 

Meanwhile, the introduction of new foods requires marketing and communication budgets domestically, and internationally they require a "Generally Regarded as Safe" (GRAS) FDA regulatory pathway, which is costly; more so for a biodiverse system with many potential superfoods: porotón (largest tree legume), motilón (antioxidant tree berry), etc. 

Financial:  Continue to achieve milestones to secure continued funding from current philanthropic investor and secure concessionary funds until we are positioned to consider a Series A or opt for a not-for-profit model or hybrid, with gains going primarily for wildlife restoration, education , and continued reforestation.

Technical: While current collaboration with WCS for the monitoring systems is fantastic and our agronomist has deep experience in cloning and grafting, there are new technologies we will explore; we are learning on the job, and reaching out to experts and research institutions. Support from the Elevate Prize would be incredibly valuable.

Forest protection: We've built strong relations with national park rangers who regularly monitor our area. Installation of cameras by the Wildlife Conservation Society, and bio-acoustic systems, and socialization with workshops with local cattle ranchers is helping us build trust. However, to truly promote the production of these wild crops in a forest setting, we are forging ahead on pilot lands and have a number of cattle rancher neighbors  already on board to experiment. 

For international markets, we have already sent samples and have had wonderful feedback on the products and the story behind them; once we can fund the regulatory pathway we have a number of winner products. 

B2B: we have thought leader companies who move large volumes of product and love our test sample and concept. Some have offered us more than favorable terms (lower margins on their end, profits donated back to reforestation, etc.) This distribution chain assistance is key! 

Wildlife Conservation Society -  collaboration. Last year, WCS installed first camera traps on CloudForest Organics lands and identified white-spectacled bear platforms and other species. Together we are implementing the technology for monitoring impact of pilot on fauna, botanical plant identification, and community outreach program. 

The Nature Conservancy - helped develop proof-of-concept phase, and provided guidance on prototype product testing and environmental impact to hardwire conservation into the project. Justus Raepple, corporate finance lead who identifies and structures impact investment transactions, continues to provide critical support and contacts for project.

Chamber of Commerce Quito - supporting 5 cloud forest product experiments in 2020; instrumental in liaising with private sector and governmental organizations; source of legal consultation and project funding opportunities.

Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve - providing plant material, participating in socialization with local communities with emphasis on women's participation. Liaising with respective government bodies and providing surveillance to control deforestation directly around our project site.

Red de Guardianes de las Semillas  (Seed Guardian Network of Ecuador) - member since 2015; part of network to save ancestral seed varieties. Porotón is among top 10 at-risk species. Shares ancestral knowledge and technologies. See poroton educational tasting event: https://vimeo.com/283601743 )

República del Cacao - See video (password is RDC) https://vimeo.com/315383250  Commercial relationship for first commercial test trials (see Instagram link videos on www.cloudforestorganics.com); as local partner of Valrhona chocolate, RDC  has been instrumental in facilitating experimental product trials in the US for proof of concept.

Though at Harvard Business School I learned that business models should focus on the customer and then develop and improve products to satisfy their needs, we instead are focusing on what the cloud forest and its wildlife need for survival, then developing products to introduce to consumers.

Primordial to CloudForest Organics' business model is preservation and rebuilding of wildlife habitats and native species of flora, assuring that any productive activity is secondary to this core goal. Initially, this may negatively impact revenue as reforestation takes time and productivity per hectare is lower to benefit biodiversity including non-commercial plantings to mimic primary forest. It also does not immediately benefit community, whose livelihood in cattle ranching is threatened by environmental protocols in collaboration with national park rangers and the Ministry of the Environment.

We are also betting that markets will perceive wild-safe, exotic ancient, delicious new foods at a premium beyond organic, but also that our product system will produce yields that compete without this premium pricing. Our model provides local cattle ranchers with an exit strategy from a dying business, and retailers/wholesalers with truly sustainable ingredients. 

In our prototype phase we developed processed porotón in a diverse array of forms, and both B2B and B2C acceptance was strong. 

The vegetable protein market, currently over $5 billion, is projected by UBS to reach $85 billion by 2030; millenials (40% of total consumers today) are "mindful" eaters.  Our model is designed to fulfill a future trend, replicable in other at-risk biomes, prioritizing wildlife. 

In the immediate-term, we seek philanthropic, patient capital to build truly regenerative production models, monitor our impact, and navigate all stages of the FDA regulatory pathway before undertaking rapid expansion. 

Financial models with 2 forms of processed porotón, with conservative pricing (set below current sales prices), zero commercial value assigned to other edible tree crops like "motilón" (akin to Açaí) and high altitude "guayusa," and low planting density of target tree crops for a biodiverse forest setting, show breakeven in 6-8 years.

We are developing techniques to generate higher tree yields in a biodiverse setting, positioning us to scale production and increase profitability while expanding forests. Depending on outcomes from our bioacoustics and camera monitoring systems implemented with the Wildlife Conservation Society, CloudForest Organics may change projected planting densities, increase community education, or dedicate lands solely for wildlife habitat restoration.

While field experience shows that "porotón" is a high yielding vegetable protein, profitability will increase further from sale of other edible species, meanwhile the agronomic experimentation and biocontrol systems is expected to lead to  greater productivity. New processing techniques (trials underway) could lead to more value-added products. 

Market tests with final products show excellent consumer and B2C receptiveness, yet our path to financial and environmental sustainability is driven by B2B demand, serving as an ingredient supplier. We prefer established distribution chains by motivated, cutting edge companies with strong brand recognition who love the concept, can move large volumes, and offer favorable purchasing terms.

(Information on financial model available under NDA.)

I will provide this information privately upon request. In 2019 the Nature Conservancy received a grant of $85,000 earmarked for testing proof of concept of CloudForest Organics, test prototype products, and explore the viability of a productive cloud forest agroforestry system. An additional $30,000 in donations was secured. For 2020-2021, the project is currently finalizing grant funding with a commitment of 2+ years, plus in-kind support from The Wildlife Conservation Society. 

Local sales of cloudforest foods have been successful including porotón and motilón, to restaurants. We also have brought sample products to numerous key potential US buyers, and their comments are excellent and we have letters of support. 

We already fast-forwarded during the proof-of-concept phase and have generated interest and our calculations between production costs using an analogue forest and price points with consumers shows that the profitability is strong under a wide range of sensitivities. If we focus on B2B, we have companies who love our product and mission and will provide very favorable pricing, as this project enhances their message to a loyal customer base. 

Locally, we have tested sales with varying price points and have found consumers willing to pay a premium for the products and have had excellent sales results, but also realize that to achieve the level of reforestation necessary, US and international markets are key. Please see sample release here in 5 Republica del Cacao locations with a porotón dessert: https://vimeo.com/342926179

Though our vision is longer-term, we seek an $350,000 in grant funding over the next 24 months, along with in-kind technological support, research assistance, and social media/communications development. 

The 3 principal categories of our activities include: 

-Environmental analysis and monitoring of environmental impact

-Agroforestry system implementation on pilot site including two additional land sites beginning 2H 2020

-Community outreach with workshops and socialization.

(Detailed budget available privately.) 

The Elevate Prize, in addition to the credibility and mentorship opportunities, will provide us with needed connections to continue to build this concept. We need access to patient philanthropic capital. This funding would enable us to continue incorporating technologies and know-how to build a new model of sustainable agroforestry, and the exposure to share this concept and help see it replicated. Visibility is key, and I'm documenting the entire process.

Financial: Elevate would give us the financial support needed for freedom to focus on the work that needs to be done.

Technical: While current collaboration with WCS for the monitoring systems is fantastic and our agronomist has deep experience in cloning and grafting, there are new technologies that merit exploration. Elevate's network will help us gain access to these technologies.

Legal: we need to secure funding for legal assistance, or identify a law firm willing to provide pro bono legal advice, to create the proper structure. Elevate seems to have that 

Regulatory: Entering US and European markets with novel foods is complex and expensive. We need to find ways to fast track these novel foods, and assure food safety of a wide range of crops, and to determine the nutritional advantages, micro-nutrients and possible allergenic characteristics to consider, along with best processing techniques that retain both best flavors and highest nutrients. 

Marketing: While our initial trials show great potential, having the network to go beyond current definitions of "regenerative organic" could help us push the envelope for global markets. 

More contact with institutions and individuals with vast experience introducing novel foods, in wildlife protection, and in niche food marketing would help us greatly. The Elevate Prize with the partnerships and mentorships it brings could take this pilot - a necessary first step - towards a regenerative transformation of our global food system.

Finding impact investors who are patient and philanthropic would help us develop a replicable model that avoids pressure to produce these wild foods independent of the forest environment.

On the legal front: assistance establishing the right structure to hardwire conservation but become economically sustainable. On the regulatory front: assistance to fast-track cloud forest foods with long track record of safety. 

Social media: assistance to communicate our advances, share experiences and transmit bear/wildlife imagery in real time. 

We also hope to find technologists who can help us develop new packaging materials from the forest (we have initial ideas).  

1) Conservation International www.conservation.org

Kame Westerman, advisor for gender and conservation, would be able to provide us with excellent guidance as we aim to strengthen gender considerations in our conservation initiative.

2) CSAIL (MIT)

Daniela Rus, director, may have suggestions on the right channel. We would love to build a relationship with MIT as we find innovative ways to incorporate technology. This would complement the network of institutions that the Wildlife Conservation Society has offers us.

3) Icarus www.icarus.mpg.de

Ericson López, director of ICARUS (International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space), on how using  satellite systems to track wildlife could be applied to the high Amazon.

For this project to succeed, we need to form multiple strategic partnerships, including those who specializes in fast-tracking and promoting new foods into the US, European and Asian markets.

It would be amazing to be able to discuss this project with Joseph Deitch for his insights on how to fulfill our full potential.

We have made, and continue to make headway in forming partnerships and alliances. The Elevate Prize would accelerate and support this process and open avenues that we may not have pursued or considered.