Conexión Chocolate

What Conexión Chocolate does

Conexión Chocolate is a Quito, Ecuador-based bean-to-bar specialty chocolate manufacturer founded in 2014 by Jenny Samaniego, producing single-origin couverture chocolates at origin using heirloom Arriba Nacional cacao sourced directly from five Ecuadorian cooperatives representing over 4,000 small-scale family growers across the Los Ríos, Manabí, Esmeraldas, and Napo provinces. The company's core technical proposition is "Mile 0 Crafting" — manufacturing chocolate in the country of origin rather than shipping raw beans — combined with sub-20 micron refinement calibrated to preserve flavor volatiles, engineered crystallization curves for clean workability, and high-fluidity (F4) profiles suited to professional applications such as molding, enrobing, ganache, and ice cream production.

The company operates a dual B2B/B2C model with primary emphasis on professional chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakeries, and ice cream shops, alongside a smaller direct-to-consumer channel. The product portfolio spans dark and milk couvertures (Fortaleza 64%, Esmeraldas 70%, Manabí 70%, Bullaranga 58% vegan coconut milk, Soberano 43% drinking chocolate), an heirloom raw line (Gran Cacao 100%, Vinces 85%, Los Ríos 70%), chocolate-covered snacks (coffee beans, cocoa nibs, golden berries, cacao beans), and bulk cacao ingredients (powder, butter, nibs, liquor). Distribution runs through Shopify-powered DTC e-commerce, the Faire wholesale marketplace, direct B2B sales, and authorized distributors, with North American fulfillment managed from a Traverse City, Michigan warehouse.

Revenue is generated transactionally across retail units (250g–1kg at $23–$71) and wholesale bulk cases (10–15kg at $235–$690), with no disclosed subscription, licensing, or recurring contract layer. The product set carries stacked certifications — USDA Organic, European Commission Organic, Certified Vegan, Slave Free Chocolate, and Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund designation — and has earned Cocoa of Excellence recognition plus multiple International Chocolate Awards and Academy of Chocolate medals in 2017 and 2018. The company is privately held, founder-owned, and shows no disclosed funding rounds, institutional investors, or parent entity in the available data.

Name

Conexión Chocolate

Legal name

Conexión Chocolate

Website

https://conexionchocolate.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Conexión Chocolate is an Ecuador-based bean-to-bar specialty chocolate manufacturer producing single-origin couverture and ingredients from heirloom Arriba Nacional cacao for professional chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakeries, and ice cream shops, distributed via Shopify e-commerce, Faire wholesale, and direct B2B channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chocolate (Bean-to-Bar Couverture)

NAICS

Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing from Cacao Beans (311351)

SIC

Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060)

akta.pro primary industry

Chocolate & Chocolate Confectionery (CRADABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pastry, Cakes & Desserts Wholesale (AFAIAFAB), Chocolate & Candy Snacks Manufacturing (AFAKAIAM)

Keywords

• Specialty chocolate couvertures
• Bean-to-bar chocolate
• Single-origin chocolate
• Chocolate wholesale supplier
• Cacao ingredients

Headquarters

HQ city

Quito

HQ country

Ecuador

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales (B2C): Consumer purchases through Shopify e-commerce platform, including individual product sales of couvertures, drinking chocolate, and chocolate-covered snacks in various sizes from 250g to bulk cases.
2. Wholesale/B2B Sales: Professional sales to chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakeries, and ice cream shops through direct wholesale orders, Faire marketplace, and authorized distributors. Products sold in bulk quantities (12kg cases, 3kg bags).
3. Chocolate-Covered Snacks: Specialty snack products including chocolate-covered coffee beans, cacao nibs, golden berries, and cacao beans sold in bulk wholesale quantities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Conexión Chocolate produces and sells single-origin, bean-to-bar chocolate couvertures, drinking chocolate, chocolate-covered snacks, and cacao ingredients (cocoa butter, powder, nibs, liquor) crafted at origin in Ecuador from heirloom Arriba Nacional cacao sourced through five cooperatives supporting 4,000+ small-scale family growers. The products are sold wholesale to professional chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakeries, and ice cream shops, and directly to consumers via a Shopify storefront in smaller pack sizes.

Product overview

Conexión Chocolate is a specialty chocolate company offering terroir-driven chocolate crafted at origin in Ecuador. Their product portfolio consists of single-origin and blended chocolate couvertures, chocolate-covered snacks, and cacao ingredients. The core offerings are organized into three main lines: (1) Dark Chocolate Couvertures including Fortaleza 64%, Esmeraldas 70%, Manabí 70%, and specialty high-cacao options like Pure Ecuador 100% and Calceta 81%; (2) Plant-Based/Vegan options including Bullaranga 58% Coconut Milk and Vegan dark couvertures; (3) Milk & Drinking Chocolate including Soberano 43% and Pichincha 43%; (4) Heirloom Raw Line featuring Nacional cacao from Los Ríos province in formats like Gran Cacao 100%, Vinces 85%, and Los Ríos 70%; (5) Chocolate-Covered Snacks including coffee beans, cocoa nibs, golden berries, and cacao beans; and (6) Cacao Ingredients including cocoa butter, cocoa powder, cocoa nibs, and cacao liquor. All products are organic, fair trade, and made from Ecuador's Arriba Nacional heirloom cacao beans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fortaleza 64% Dark Chocolate Couverture A lighter dark chocolate couverture balancing sweet caramel and elegant cacao with red fruits, macadamia, and molasses and a buttery finish; sourced from the Fortaleza del Valle cooperative in Manabí. Ideal for molding, enrobing, ganache, ice creams, beverages, sauces, and baking for professional chocolatiers, pastry chefs, and home bakers.
• Esmeraldas 70% Dark Chocolate Couverture A 70% dark chocolate with warm cacao flavor and hints of dried tropical fruits, nuts, and a caramel finish; sourced from UOPROCAE cooperative in Esmeraldas using organic and regenerative practices. Ideal for mousses and suitable for home baking and professional kitchens.
• Manabí 70% Dark Chocolate Couverture Dark chocolate with rich flavor notes of red fruits and aromatic wood; a tannic start is followed by a long-lasting berry finish. Single-origin from Manabí province for professional and home culinary applications.
• Bullaranga 58% Coconut Milk Vegan Dark Chocolate Couverture A vegan dark milk couverture with tropical brightness and creamy coconut undertones; gentle notes of macadamia, caramelized milk, and vanilla with a delicate floral lift on finish. Dairy-free and vegan, suitable for vegan pastry and confectionery applications.
• Soberano 43% Milk Drinking Chocolate A premium milk drinking chocolate made with milk from the high altitudes of Pichincha (1,300 meters above sea level), offering notes of caramel, nuts, and hints of vanilla. Sold for beverage preparation by professional kitchens and home consumers.
• Chocolate Covered Cocoa Nibs Cacao nibs coated with a thin layer of dark chocolate, offering a semi-bitter flavor profile and a source of antioxidants. Sold in bulk wholesale quantities for snacking and bakery applications.
• Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans Crunchy Ecuadorian coffee beans coated with dark chocolate, combining two of Ecuador's fine-flavor beans in a single snack. Crafted and made at origin, sold in bulk wholesale quantities.
• Gran Cacao 100% Couverture (Heirloom Raw Line) Intensely floral, red wine, and fresh cacao pulp profile from heirloom Nacional cocoa beans in Los Ríos province. Part of the minimally processed Heirloom Raw line for professional confectionery use.
• Vinces 85% Couverture (Heirloom Raw Line) Heirloom raw couverture from minimally processed Nacional cocoa beans in Los Ríos province, highlighting notes of red wine, wood, and florals. Designed for professional chefs seeking distinctive terroir expression.
• Los Ríos 70% Couverture (Heirloom Raw Line) Heirloom raw couverture from Los Ríos province with rustic cacao character and layered notes of jasmine and a wine-like finish. Ideal for intense ganaches in professional pastry applications.
• Pure Ecuador 100% Couverture Classic roast dark chocolate from Ecuador at 100% cacao content, aligned with European tradition. Targeted at professional chocolatiers and pastry chefs requiring a high-cacao classic roast profile.
• Calceta 81% Couverture Classic roast dark chocolate from Manabí province at 81% cacao content with a traditional, bright, floral profile. Designed for professional culinary use.
• Puerto Quito 55% Couverture Classic roast couverture from Ecuador at 55% cacao content featuring floral and fruity notes. Designed for professional confectionery and pastry applications.
• Pichincha 43% Couverture Milk chocolate made with cacao beans from Pichincha province, featuring butterscotch, fresh cream, and vanilla notes. Sold for professional and home pastry use.
• Atacames White 33% Couverture White chocolate crafted with fine-flavor natural cacao butter from Esmeraldas, with an indulgent cacao profile and balanced acidity. Designed for professional confectionery applications.
• Chocolate Covered Golden Berries Crunchy Ecuadorian golden berries covered with chocolate — a source of antioxidants with pleasant citrus, floral, and fruity notes. Sold for snacking in bulk wholesale quantities.
• Chocolate Covered Cacao Beans Whole cacao beans covered with chocolate, offering the full Ecuadorian chocolate experience in a snack form. Sold in bulk wholesale quantities.
• Natural Cocoa Powder (Arriba Nacional) Natural cocoa powder made from Ecuadorian Arriba Nacional cocoa beans (one of the finest aromatic beans in the world), fat content 20-25%. Sold for baking and professional culinary applications.
• Cocoa Nibs (Arriba Nacional) Pure cocoa nibs from Ecuadorian Arriba Nacional cocoa beans for baking, snack inclusion, and culinary applications. Sold in retail and bulk wholesale quantities.
• Natural Cocoa Butter (Arriba Nacional) Natural cocoa butter made from Ecuadorian Arriba Nacional cocoa beans for baking, cosmetics, and culinary use. Sold in retail and bulk wholesale quantities.
• Cacao Liquor (Unsweetened Baking Chocolate) Pure cacao liquor made from Ecuadorian Arriba Nacional cocoa beans, unsweetened for professional baking applications. Sold as a baking chocolate ingredient.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supporting over 4,000 small-scale family growers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• RikoltocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization that formally distinguished Conexión Chocolate as an 'Inclusive Company.' This recognition validates the company's radical departure from industrial standards in favor of transparency, sovereignty, and human-centric innovation. Aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals including SDG 8, 10, 12, 13, and 17.
• Fortaleza del Valle Co-opcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative representing hundreds of cacao-producing families in Manabí province, Ecuador. Produces cacao with depth, structure, and warmth under warm coastal climate. Used for Fortaleza 64% and related products.
• UOPROCAE Co-op (Esmeraldas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative in Esmeraldas province known for organic and regenerative practices. Cacao influenced by coastal humidity and rainforest proximity. Source for Esmeraldas 70% and Bullaranga 58% products.
• UNOCACE Co-op (Los Ríos)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative in Los Ríos province rooted in long-standing cacao traditions. Region defined by fertile river basins producing cacao with depth, body, and pronounced cacao character.
• Kallari Co-op (Napo)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative in the Amazon region of Napo, recognized for protecting ancestral cacao varieties and cultivating cacao within biodiverse agroforestry systems. Source for Amazonian terroir products.
• Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund (HCP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving heirloom cacao varieties. Conexión Chocolate works directly with HCP to preserve the increasingly rare Arriba Nacional cacao while empowering communities.
• Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) EcuadorsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry collaborating on the 'Cacao, Ciencia y Experiencia' initiative to strengthen cacao knowledge at origin. Brings together producers, technicians, and chocolate professionals.
• INIAP (National Agricultural Research Institute Ecuador)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational agricultural research institute partnering on 'Cacao, Ciencia y Experiencia' initiative to improve cacao quality through understanding of genetics, harvesting practices, and post-harvest processes.
• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationE-commerce platform powering the Conexión Chocolate online store for direct sales to consumers and wholesale buyers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pacari Chocolate: Ecuadorian single-origin bean-to-bar chocolate maker selling premium couvertures, bars, and chocolate-covered snacks to professional and consumer buyers globally. Closest comparable in geography, origin-driven positioning, and B2B/B2C channel mix.
• Domori: Italian premium single-origin chocolate maker emphasizing terroir-driven couvertures for professional chocolatiers and pastry chefs. Comparable product strategy, batch scale, and professional/consumer split.
• Original Beans: Single-origin, conservation-focused chocolate maker selling couvertures and bars to chefs and direct consumers. Shares origin-story-led brand building and B2B couverture focus with Conexión.

Broad incumbents

• Valrhona: Premium French couverture brand (part of Savencia Fromage & Dairy) that is the reference supplier for the world's pastry chefs and chocolatiers. Direct competitive overlap on professional couverture buyers, with much larger scale and range.
• Callebaut (Barry Callebaut): World's largest industrial chocolate and couverture maker, default supplier for many pastry and ice cream professionals. Competes head-to-head with Conexión for the same buyer budgets, with massive distribution and educational infrastructure.
• Cacao Barry: Professional couverture brand within Barry Callebaut, targeting pastry chefs and chocolatiers. Same professional buyer profile and specification-driven purchase motion.
• Guittard Chocolate Company: US-based, multi-generation chocolate maker specializing in professional couverture and baking chocolate. Comparable B2B focus with longer distribution footprint; overlaps on ice cream and bakery customers.
• Belcolade (Puratos): Belgian premium couverture brand owned by Puratos, supplied to bakeries and pastry professionals. Comparable professional channel and clean-label/organic positioning.

Emerging players

• Dandelion Chocolate: US bean-to-bar maker with strong single-origin sourcing narrative and direct-to-chef and consumer channels. Comparable craft positioning at smaller scale and more consumer-skewed.
• Askinosie Chocolate: US single-origin bean-to-bar maker with direct-trade farmer relationships and a strong educational/community program analogous to 'Craft With Us'. Comparable craft and origin-driven model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCM0QeC8cs7QCIEyXWn1PSOg
• Facebookfacebook.com/conexionchocolate
• Instagraminstagram.com/conexionchocolate
• Xx.com/conexionchoc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chukulat

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Conexión Chocolate