Hecho en Puerto Rico Association

What Hecho en Puerto Rico Association does

Hecho en Puerto Rico Association is a 115-year-old nonprofit trade association (founded c. 1910 as Asociación Productos de Puerto Rico, APPR) headquartered at Plaza Las Américas in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It represents more than 100 Puerto Rican manufacturers and service providers across food and beverage, crafts, jewelry, apparel, and professional services. Its core offerings are two certification marks — Sello Hecho en Puerto Rico (governed by Ley Núm. 209) and the higher-tier Sello Calidad Puerto Rico (requiring 5+ years of market presence) — which function as quality trust marks for local production.

The association operates a Shopify-powered e-commerce marketplace (hechoen.pr) selling curated Puerto Rican products to consumers in Puerto Rico and the US, with a parallel export-focused marketplace (hechoenpuertoricomarketplace.com) shipping into the diaspora, initially targeting Orlando, Florida. Logistics and e-commerce infrastructure are delivered through partners including Fresh House, Junte Boricua/GFR Media, and Islandwide Express. Offline channels include a retail store at Plaza Las Américas, a HUB co-working space (opened 2022), the annual Feria Hecho en Puerto Rico (7th edition in 2023), and a member training program (Hecho Pa'l Éxito, launched March 2026 with Grupo Guayacán).

The business model combines membership fees, marketplace commissions on small-ticket consumer goods (price range $1.99-$64.99), event sponsorships, and a small disclosed grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce ($183,000 in March 2024). Customers are segmented into Puerto Rican manufacturers/service providers (primary), Puerto Rican consumers and diaspora, and corporate partners/sponsors. The organization runs a tiny 1-10 person team and is governed by an elected board, with Pedro Rosaly succeeding Jorge Ramírez as President in May 2026.

Name

Hecho en Puerto Rico Association

Legal name

Hecho en Puerto Rico

Website

https://hechoen.pr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1910

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hecho en Puerto Rico Association is a 115-year-old nonprofit trade association in San Juan that certifies and markets Puerto Rican-made products through two statutory seals (Sello Hecho en Puerto Rico and Sello Calidad Puerto Rico) and a Shopify-powered e-commerce marketplace shipping to Puerto Rico and the US diaspora.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Local Products Marketplace and Trade Association

NAICS

Food and Beverage Retailers (445)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Retail-Food Stores (5400)

akta.pro primary industry

E-commerce & Digital Membership Clubs (CRAEADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Retail, Consumer Goods & Lifestyle Shows Organizers (THAHABAJ), Latin American & Caribbean Grocery Stores (CRAHAFAG)

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Local products marketplace
• Made in Puerto Rico
• Quality certification seals
• E-commerce aggregator

Headquarters

HQ city

San Juan

HQ country

Puerto Rico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Marketplace E-commerce Sales: Online marketplace sales through hechoen.pr and hechoenpuertoricomarketplace.com connecting Puerto Rican businesses with customers in the US and Puerto Rico. Sellers ship products directly to consumers. Commission-based model through third-party logistics partners including Fresh House, Junte Boricua/GFR Media, and Islandwide Express.
2. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees for businesses to join the association, access the directory, use the quality seals, and participate in member benefits including training programs, events, and promotional opportunities.
3. Event Sponsorships and Participation Fees: Revenue from annual fairs, golf tournaments, training sessions, and other association events through sponsor packages and participant registration fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hecho en Puerto Rico Association is a 115-year-old nonprofit trade association that operates an e-commerce marketplace (hechoen.pr) aggregating products from its member manufacturers and service providers across Puerto Rico, ships to customers in the US and Puerto Rico, and administers the regulatory Sello Hecho en Puerto Rico and Sello Calidad Puerto Rico certification marks. The association generates revenue through membership dues, marketplace commissions via logistics partners (Islandwide Express, Fresh House, Junte Boricua), and event sponsorships from its annual fair, training programs, and tournaments.

Product overview

Hecho en Puerto Rico Association operates primarily as an e-commerce marketplace (Hecho en Puerto Rico Marketplace) powered by Shopify, hosting products from over 100 member companies. The platform is complemented by the Sello Calidad Puerto Rico quality certification program, which recognizes products with 5+ years of market presence, and the Sello Hecho en Puerto Rico certification mark. The association also provides a member directory, news portal, and events platform. The marketplace showcases a diverse catalog organized into categories including Antojitos Boricuas (snacks), Café (coffee), Dulces (sweets), Artesanías (crafts), Joyería (jewelry), Licores (liquors), and Comida Criolla (traditional foods). Key product lines include Piketú hot sauces, Montero seasonings, and traditional Puerto Rican confections, all representing Puerto Rican manufacturing excellence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hecho en Puerto Rico Marketplace An online marketplace (Shopify-based) hosted at hechoen.pr and hechoenpuertoricomarketplace.com that aggregates products from member companies and enables direct-to-consumer shipping to Puerto Rico and the United States, with free shipping on orders over $50.
• Sello Calidad Puerto Rico (Quality Seal) A quality certification program awarded to Puerto Rican-made products and services that have demonstrated 5 or more years of trajectory, consistency, and market presence, signaling proven quality to consumers.
• Sello Hecho en Puerto Rico (Made in Puerto Rico Seal) A regulatory certification mark identifying products and services made in Puerto Rico, governed by Ley Núm. 209, and licensed to member companies for use on packaging and marketing materials.
• Member Directory A searchable online directory of association members offering products and services made in Puerto Rico, enabling consumers and partners to discover local businesses.
• Hecho Pa'l Éxito Training Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 35% membership growth
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Grupo GuayacáncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Strategic alliance to offer Hecho Pa'l Éxito, a series of training modules for Grupo Guayacán's members. The program targets established Puerto Rican business owners to strengthen local entrepreneurship.
• WAPA (WAPA TV)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 November 2025WAPA and Hecho en Puerto Rico renewed their collaboration agreement to promote local goods. The event took place at WAPA in San Juan with key representatives from both parties. This partnership provides media visibility for member products through television broadcast.
• SBA (Small Business Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2024Agreement signed with SBA to support small business development and provide resources to Puerto Rican entrepreneurs through association programs.
• Municipio de JayuyaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 April 2024Co-presenter of Mercado Cordillera event in Jayuya, supporting local entrepreneurship and community tourism in the region.
• Banco Popular de Puerto RicominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 April 2024Sponsor of Mercado Cordillera event, supporting local businesses and economic development initiatives.
• La Compañía de Turismo de Puerto RicominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 April 2024Government tourism partner for Mercado Cordillera event, promoting community tourism and local products.
• DDEC (Departamento de Desarrollo Económico)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 April 2023Partnership with the Department of Economic Development for the 'Detrás del Sello' video series showcasing 20 member companies. DDEC provides support for member business growth through its programs.
• Caribbean CinemasminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 April 2023Media partnership for distribution of the 'Detrás del Sello' video series content on cinema screens, reaching audiences through movie theater screenings.
• GFR MediaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 April 2023Media partnership for the 'Detrás del Sello' video series, providing additional distribution channel for member visibility through GFR Media platforms.
• Fresh HousecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 April 2023E-commerce partner for the Hecho en Puerto Rico Marketplace export initiative. Fresh House provides logistics and marketplace infrastructure for shipping Puerto Rican products to customers in Orlando, Florida.
• Junte Boricua / GFR MediacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 April 2023E-commerce partner for marketplace export initiative, providing technology platform and marketing reach for the Hecho en Puerto Rico Marketplace.
• Islandwide ExpresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 April 2023Logistics partner for the Hecho en Puerto Rico Marketplace, handling delivery and distribution of member products to customers.
• bMedia GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 September 2021Alliance created to promote local businesses through bMedia Group's media platforms and marketing channels.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Etsy: Global marketplace for handmade, craft, and artisanal goods; overlaps with Hecho en PR's craft, jewelry, and artisanal product categories and serves diaspora demand for cultural goods.

Direct peers

• Goldbelly: Online marketplace specializing in regional and artisanal American foods shipped nationwide; comparable as a curated e-commerce marketplace that helps small/regional food brands reach national consumers.
• Made Trade: Online marketplace for ethically and sustainably made goods with curated brand vetting; comparable as a values-driven marketplace that certifies and showcases small-batch producers.
• Junte Boricua: Puerto Rican diaspora-focused platform promoting local brands and products to US consumers; directly comparable as a partner and adjacent e-commerce/marketing platform serving the same target customers.
• Made in USA Foundation: National trade association promoting American-made products through certification and branding programs; directly comparable as a 'Made in [Country]' certification association with seal programs and member benefits.

Others

• Bcorporation / Certified B Corp: Certification body for mission-driven businesses; comparable as a trust/quality certification framework analogous to Sello Calidad Puerto Rico for signaling quality and values to consumers.
• Shopify (as platform peer): E-commerce infrastructure provider powering hechoen.pr; comparable as the enabling technology layer on which the marketplace is built and a reference for similar SMB-marketplace operating models.

Regional players

• Buy Puerto Rico (Discover Puerto Rico affiliate programs): Puerto Rico's destination marketing organization promoting local businesses and cultural products to tourists and diaspora — overlaps with Hecho en PR's mission of promoting Puerto Rican-made goods regionally.

Emerging players

• Ana Erika & Co. / Diaspora-focused Puerto Rican e-commerce brands: Puerto Rican-owned DTC brands reaching the US mainland diaspora through direct e-commerce; comparable as emerging players in the same diaspora-commerce niche Hecho en PR is targeting via its marketplace.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hechoenpr
• Xx.com/hechoenpr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hecho en Puerto Rico Association