Zamorano

What Zamorano does

Universidad Zamorano is a private, nonprofit residential university founded in 1942 in Honduras by Samuel Zemurray. It is Delaware-registered and operates on a 4,500-hectare campus in San Antonio de Oriente that includes the 907-hectare Uyuca Biological Reserve. The institution's academic portfolio spans four undergraduate engineering programs (Agronomy, Food Science and Technology, Agribusiness Management, Agro-environmental Engineering), seven master's programs (including Sustainable Tropical Agriculture, Precision Agriculture, and Coffee Production), and a newly launched Doctorate in Sustainable Agrifood Systems. All programs are delivered through the proprietary "Aprender-Haciendo" (Learn by Doing) educational model, which integrates theory, practice, campus life, discipline, and leadership on production units, research centers, and an agro-industrial park that double as learning facilities. The institution currently serves approximately 1,200 students from 19+ countries and reports a 94% undergraduate graduation rate with 98% of graduates employed or in graduate school within six months.

Zamorano's business model is multi-stream: (i) recurring tuition and academic fees from undergraduate and graduate programs (with a US$20 entrance exam fee and scholarship coverage ranging from 20-50% partial to full tuition), (ii) philanthropy channelled through the Zamorano University Foundation (ZUF), a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds more than 70% of enrolled scholarship-dependent students, (iii) one-time Summer Camp program revenue at US$900 plus enrollment fee, and (iv) continuing education revenue through Zamorano Executive Education, "Zamorano en Campo," Preuniversitario, and In-Company courses. Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer for residential admissions, supported by regional offices in Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Panama for recruitment and partnership development, plus a Washington DC contact office and The Woodlands, TX headquarters of ZUF for U.S. donor stewardship. The institution supplements this with enterprise-style partnerships with multilateral bodies (UNDP, BCIE, BID Lab), European research and equipment providers (CLAAS, GEA, LEMKEN, University of Bonn's Klein-Altendorf Center, Jülich Research Center), and Latin American government agencies (SEDESOL Honduras, CNI Honduras).

The institution is governed by a Board of Trustees and Executive Council led by Rector Jeffery P. Cohen and an academic team including Vice President and Academic Dean Ana Margarita Maier Acosta and Vice President of Operations and Finance Herbert Julio Gaekel Wildt. Zamorano operates under nonprofit institutional status (not publicly traded) and has 251-500 employees supporting both academic delivery and the production-and-research infrastructure that powers its pedagogically distinctive residential model.

Name

Zamorano

Legal name

Universidad Zamorano Inc.

Website

https://zamorano.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1942

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Universidad Zamorano is a private, nonprofit residential university in Honduras that delivers agricultural-sciences undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs through a hands-on "Aprender-Haciendo" model on a 4,500-hectare campus, serving roughly 1,200 students from 19+ Latin American countries and operating a U.S. philanthropic foundation (ZUF) that subsidizes most enrolled students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Agricultural Sciences)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus (EDAHAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technical Universities with Entrepreneurship & Incubation Focus (EDAHAEAH)

Keywords

• Agricultural education
• Residential university
• Graduate programs
• Continuing education
• Agronomy engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Tegucigalpa

HQ country

Honduras

HQ region

Latin America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate education programs including tuition, fees for entrance exams (US$20), and document issuance. Partial scholarships range from 20% to 50% of tuition.
2. Donations and Philanthropy: The Zamorano University Foundation (ZUF), a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit, raises funds from donors supporting scholarships, student life, applied research, and innovation. More than 57% of admitted applicants with financial need cannot enroll without support.
3. Summer Camp Programs: Revenue from Summer Camp programs offering leadership development, team-building, and agricultural experiences. Priced at $900 plus enrollment fee with multiple editions.
4. Continuing Education: Professional development programs through Zamorano Executive Education, Zamorano en Campo, Preuniversitario, and In-Company courses for individuals and organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Universidad Zamorano is a private, residential university that sells higher-education academic programs (four undergraduate engineering degrees, seven master's degrees, and a new Doctorate in Sustainable Agrifood Systems) grounded in agriculture, agribusiness, food science, and environmental sciences, delivered through the Aprender-Haciendo (Learning-by-Doing) methodology on its 4,500-hectare Honduran campus. It also sells continuing-education, executive-education, In-Company courses, and Summer Camp experiences, and runs the AgroHub innovation platform connecting Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

Product overview

Universidad Zamorano is a residential university offering a comprehensive educational portfolio centered on agricultural sciences and sustainable development. The institution provides undergraduate programs (4 engineering degrees), graduate programs (7 master's degrees), and a new doctoral program, all delivered through the distinctive Learn by Doing (Aprender-Haciendo) methodology. The portfolio also includes continuing education offerings (Zamorano Executive Education, Zamorano en Campo), youth programs (Summer Camp), and innovation initiatives (AgroHub Zamorano, CATI). The institution operates production units, research facilities, and laboratories as part of its hands-on training approach across its 4,500-hectare campus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Programs (Pregrado) Four four-year residential engineering degrees (Ingeniería Agronómica, Ingeniería en Agroindustria Alimentaria, Ingeniería en Agronegocios, and Ingeniería Agroambiental) for talented students from Latin America, taught via the Aprender-Haciendo (Learning-by-Doing) pedagogy at the 4,500-hectare Honduran campus.
• Graduate Programs (Posgrado) Seven master's degree tracks: Agribusiness, Executive Agribusiness, Coffee Growing and Business, Nutrition and Community Development, Agricultural Project Management, Precision Agriculture, and Sustainable Tropical Agriculture, serving working professionals and Zamorano undergraduates seeking specialization in agricultural sciences and agribusiness.
• Doctorate in Sustainable Agrifood Systems Doctoral program offered in Guatemala and Honduras designed to develop leaders who can transform agrifood systems, strengthen food security, and create innovative solutions to climate change and sustainability challenges across Latin America, combining virtual and in-person experiences with applied research and international collaboration.
• Summer Camp Zamorano Immersive multi-day summer program for youth that strengthens leadership, develops confidence and teamwork, and exposes participants to the Aprender-Haciendo methodology on the Zamorano campus; priced at $900 plus enrollment fee across three 2026 editions.
• Zamorano Executive Education Continuing-education offerings for professionals seeking specialized training and professional development in agriculture and related fields, delivered as part of the institutionalized Zamorano Continuing Education (ZEED) program.
• Zamorano en Campo (Zamorano in the Field) Field-based continuing-education programs that bring Zamorano training and expertise directly to working agricultural operations, supporting adult learners and farm operators in applying new tools and techniques.
• AgroHub Zamorano Innovation AgriFoodTech initiative supported by BID Lab that connects Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala to dynamize startups focused on smart and sustainable agriculture, supporting capacity development and the AgriFoodTech ecosystem.
• Centro de Apoyo a la Tecnología y la Innovación (CATI) Technology and innovation support center, established through a partnership with the Instituto de la Propiedad of Honduras, that provides access to international patent databases, scientific and technical information, and intellectual property resources for students, researchers, and external innovators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of undergraduate students graduate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• CLAAScoreTechnology or Integration · 30 June 2026One of the world's leading manufacturers of agricultural machinery. Zamorano delegation visited production facilities, museum, and showroom in Germany, meeting with Latin America sales team to explore collaborations for strengthening agricultural equipment capabilities.
• GEAcoreTechnology or Integration · 30 June 2026Global leader in dairy farming technologies. Zamorano visited automated livestock feeding systems, robotic milking technologies, and sustainable farming solutions at a model dairy farm in the Netherlands, including biodigester systems for renewable energy and circular economy practices.
• LEMKENcoreTechnology or Integration · 30 June 2026Leading manufacturer of equipment for soil conservation, seeding, and crop protection. Zamorano explored advanced manufacturing processes, precision agriculture technologies, and specialized machinery for modern farming systems.
• Klein-Altendorf Research and Demonstration Center, University of BonncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2026Research center focused on soil conservation, erosion control, innovative growing substrates, and bioenergy production. Offers collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and internship programs for students and researchers.
• Jülich Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2026One of Europe's leading scientific research institutions. Zamorano toured laboratories, greenhouses, robotics platforms, smart agriculture technologies, and applied research projects, including open-pit mine reclamation initiatives.
• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026Alessandro Francasetti, UNDP Resident Representative in Honduras, visited campus to strengthen cooperation and explore collaboration in sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and education of future leaders. Zamorano presented academic, research, and outreach initiatives.
• SEDESOL (Secretariat of Social Development, Honduras)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Educational cooperation agreement signed to strengthen access to higher education for Honduran students interested in agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, rural development, and related fields.
• CNI (National Investment Council, Honduras)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Addendum to collaboration agreement reinforcing commitment to advancing investment, knowledge exchange, and agroindustrial innovation as drivers of sustainable economic development in Honduras.
• BECAMO (Beneficio de Café Montecristo S.A.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Coffee sector company visited Zamorano to strengthen collaborative ties and explore joint opportunities related to sustainability, agricultural development, and innovation.
• BCIE (Banco Centroamericano de Integración Económica)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2022Memorandum of Understanding signed with BCIE, Colombia's Ministry of Labor, SENA, and Zamorano to promote labor insertion across the region and in Colombia, supporting vulnerable populations in skills development and employment.
• Instituto de la Propiedad (Honduras)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough its Centro de Apoyo a la Tecnología y la Innovación (CATI), provides access to international patent databases and intellectual property resources, supporting innovation and technology transfer.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Purdue University: Top-ranked U.S. university for agriculture and engineering; relevant as a broad incumbent with overlapping agronomy, food science, and engineering programs (and academic lineage of Zamorano's leadership).
• Wageningen University & Research: Global leader in agricultural, food, and environmental sciences research and education; broader and more established than Zamorano but operates in the same discipline, offering overlap in technical agriculture, sustainability, and applied research.
• UC Davis: Large U.S. public university widely regarded as a top-tier agriculture and life-sciences institution; overlaps with Zamorano across agronomy, food science, and sustainability while operating at much greater scale.
• Texas A&M University: Major U.S. public university with one of the largest agricultural and life-sciences programs in the world; comparable discipline focus and applied research orientation, with significantly greater scale and endowment.

Regional players

• University of Peace (UPEACE): United Nations-mandated postgraduate institution in Costa Rica; comparable as a Central American, internationally chartered graduate education provider focused on leadership and sustainable development.
• Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina: Peru's leading agricultural university; comparable as a regional Andean/Latin American agricultural higher-education institution with applied research strengths.
• INCAE Business School: Tier-1 Central American business school with two campuses (Nicaragua and Costa Rica), serving Latin American professionals; comparable geographic mandate and executive/postgraduate positioning to Zamorano's graduate programs.

Others

• Asian Institute of Technology: Thailand-based international postgraduate institution with a multi-country student body and applied development focus; thematically comparable in operating model (international, residential, applied sciences) rather than direct competition.

Direct peers

• EARTH University: Costa Rica-based residential agricultural university with a parallel Learn-by-Doing pedagogy, tropical agriculture focus, and Pan-American student intake; the closest comparable peer to Zamorano's mission and operating model.
• CATIE (Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza): Tropical agriculture research and graduate education institution in Costa Rica serving Latin America; directly comparable as a regional technical/agricultural academic institution with applied research focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubem.youtube.com/@UniversidadZamorano
• Facebookfacebook.com/eapzamorano
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eap-zamorano
• Instagraminstagram.com/universidadzamorano?igsh=MTRzeTZ4cnR0ZG9ucg==
• TikToktiktok.com/@universidadzamorano?_t=ZM-8wnAKwMSAWG&_r=1
• Xx.com/eapzamorano

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Zamorano