Jardín Botánico de Medellín

What Jardín Botánico de Medellín does

Jardín Botánico de Medellín, legally Fundación Jardín Botánico Joaquín Antonio Uribe de Medellín, is a private non-profit foundation (ESAL) established in 1972 in Medellín, Colombia. It operates a 13.2-hectare urban botanical garden adjacent to the Metro Universidad station, complemented by a 160-hectare cloud forest reserve (Reserva Biológica El Centello) in Jardín, Antioquia. Its core scientific asset is the Herbario JAUM, housing approximately 86,000 preserved vascular plant specimens — including ~962 type specimens — making it one of the largest herbaria in Colombia; the institution is the sole Colombian member of Botanic Gardens Conservation International and a Colciencias-designated Centro de Ciencia.

The institution functions simultaneously as a free public park (2M+ annual visitors), a scientific research center, an environmental education provider, and a venue-based events business. Five on-site learning scenarios (including the Casa de las Mariposas butterfly house and Sendero de Plantas Prehistóricas), five thematic environmental-education lines, and a mobile educational game ("Extinction 6") support its pedagogical mission. Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of venue and convention rentals, three on-site restaurants (In Situ, Del Bosque, La Estación), parking, paid learning scenarios, photography/filming permits, urban silviculture and landscaping services for municipalities, and the monthly Mercado Verde sustainable-products fair. Approximately 5% of operating resources come from the Alcaldía de Medellín; the remainder is self-generated.

The institution serves a heterogeneous base: general public visitors, Medellín schools and universities, corporate event clients, domestic and international tourists, scientific researchers, and municipal governments. Distribution runs through physical on-site access, a dedicated Events & Conventions sales team, formal school partnerships (notably with Comfama), a volunteer program, and a digital ecosystem spanning Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and a content-rich website. The 53-year operating history, ongoing ecological restoration at El Centello (11,000+ native trees planted), and conservation focus on endemic species such as Magnolia jardinensis reflect a stable, mission-driven operating profile.

Name

Jardín Botánico de Medellín

Legal name

Fundación Jardín Botánico de Medellín Joaquín Antonio Uribe

Website

https://botanicomedellin.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Jardín Botánico de Medellín is a non-profit botanical garden and research foundation in Medellín, Colombia, operating a 13.2-hectare urban living collection, the 86,000-specimen Herbario JAUM, and a 160-hectare cloud forest reserve, serving 2M+ annual free-entry visitors funded by venue rentals, restaurants, education programs, and urban greening services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Botanical Garden & Conservation Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Nursery and Tree Production (111421), Landscape Architectural Services (54132)

SIC

Forestry (800), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Tree Care & Arborist Services (BPABADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Native Species & Restoration Plant Nurseries (AFAMADAF), Vegetable & Herb Garden Installation and Maintenance (HSAIAFAM)

Keywords

• Botanical garden operations
• Environmental education programs
• Urban forestry services
• Scientific research herbarium
• Event venue rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Medellín

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Venue and Space Rental: Private events (weddings, corporate meetings, conferences, conventions) are a major source of self-funding. Spaces include covered salons (Humboldt, Linneo, Mutis, Restrepo, Auditorium Aurita López), outdoor venues (Teatro Sura, Patio de Las Azaleas, Deck del Bosque, Deck del Lago), and full park rental. This is described as 'una de nuestras mayores fuentes de autofinanciación.'
2. Food and Beverage Services: Three on-site restaurants: InSitu, Del Bosque, and La Estación, serving a range of price points. Restaurant services are available to all garden visitors and event attendees.
3. Educational Programs and Workshops: Paid educational experiences including workshops, courses, and specialized programs. Entry fees for learning scenarios: Casa de las Mariposas ($10,000 COP) and Sendero de Plantas Prehistóricas ($6,000 COP). Also custom educational programs for companies and institutions.
4. Parking Services: Parking fees: cars $4,100/hour or $20,000/day; motorcycles $1,300/hour or $10,000/day; bicycles $1,000/day. Parking revenue supplements operations.
5. Photography and Filming Permits: Commercial photography, video, and film shoots require paid permits, generating revenue from brands and production companies using the garden as a location.
6. Municipal Public Funding: Approximately 5% of operating resources come from Medellín municipal government programs supporting the Formación de Públicos initiative, contributing to free entry.
7. Silvicultura y Paisajismo (Urban Greening Services): The garden provides urban forestry and landscaping services to the city of Medellín and other municipalities (e.g., Rionegro, Santa Fe de Antioquia), contributing to public space transformation projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Jardín Botánico de Medellín operates a 13.2-hectare urban botanical garden in Medellín, Colombia, providing free public access to living plant collections (~5,000 specimens across 1,200 species) and generating revenue through paid event venue rentals (Centro de Convenciones with multiple indoor and outdoor spaces), three on-site restaurants, parking, paid learning scenarios (Butterfly House, Prehistoric Plant Trail), educational programs, and urban greening (Silvicultura y Paisajismo) services to municipalities. It also maintains the Herbario JAUM (~86,000 preserved specimens) and the 160-hectare Reserva Biológica El Centello for scientific research and conservation.

Product overview

Jardín Botánico de Medellín is a 13.2-hectare botanical garden and living museum in Medellín, Colombia, operating as a foundation for 53 years. Its core offerings include the Herbario JAUM (86,000 plant specimens), the 160-hectare Reserva Biológica El Centello, and five Learning Scenarios (Casa de las Mariposas, Sendero de Plantas Prehistóricas, Laboratorio de Agricultura Urbana, Sala de Lectura y Cultura, Centro de Documentación Patrimonial). The institution generates revenue through event venue rentals at its Centro de Convenciones (indoor halls and outdoor spaces), three restaurants (In Situ, Del Bosque, La Estación), paid learning scenarios, and parking services. Educational offerings include environmental education programs, guided tours, the Extinction 6 mobile game, Mercado Verde monthly market, and Silvicultura y Paisajismo urban landscaping services. Entry to the garden is free, with revenue generated primarily through these service offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Herbario JAUM: Herbarium containing approximately 86,000 plant specimens with 962 type specimens, facilitating access to plant information for biodiversity conservation studies.

Products and services

• Casa de las Mariposas Forjas Bolívar Butterfly house where visitors observe live butterflies in a controlled environment; $10,000 COP per person admission. Sponsored by Forjas Bolívar.
• Sendero de Plantas Prehistóricas Álvaro Cogollo Pacheco Guided prehistoric plant trail featuring ancient plant species; $6,000 COP per person admission.
• Centro de Convenciones (Convention & Event Venues) Convention center with indoor halls (Salón Humboldt, Salones Linneo, Mutis, Restrepo, Auditorio Aurita López) and outdoor spaces (Teatro Sura, Patio de Las Azaleas, Deck del Bosque, Deck del Lago) available for weddings, corporate meetings, conferences, and product launches; quote-based pricing with catering and equipment available.
• Restaurante In Situ On-site restaurant offering natural cuisine with high-quality fresh ingredients, available to garden visitors and event attendees.
• Restaurante Del Bosque Forest restaurant within the botanical garden offering food and beverages to visitors.
• Restaurante La Estación Restaurant venue within the botanical garden serving visitors.
• Silvicultura y Paisajismo (Urban Forestry & Landscaping) Urban forestry and landscaping services provided to the city of Medellín and other municipalities (Rionegro, Santa Fe de Antioquia), transforming public spaces with carefully designed native flora for conservation purposes.
• Programa de Educación Ambiental (Environmental Education Program) Educational programs covering five thematic lines (Climate Change, Ecology and Territory, Cultures and Knowledge, Urban Agriculture and Food Security, Sustainable Lifestyles), offered to schools, universities, companies, and institutions, including guided tours, workshops, and custom curriculum-aligned experiences.
• Herbario JAUM (Herbarium Research Access) Herbarium with approximately 86,000 preserved vascular plant specimens and 962 type specimens, providing access to plant information for biodiversity, taxonomy, ecology, and conservation research to national and international scientists.
• Reserva Biológica El Centello 160-hectare biological reserve at 2,400-2,700 m.a.s.l. in cloud forest, protecting endemic species including Magnolia jardinensis and serving as habitat within the Spectacled Bear biological corridor; subject to ongoing ecological restoration with over 11,000 native trees planted.
• Parking Services On-site parking facility with 105 car spaces, 72-73 motorcycle spaces, and 2 disability-accessible spaces; cars $4,100 COP/hour or $20,000 COP/day, motorcycles $1,300 COP/hour or $10,000 COP/day, bicycles $1,000 COP/day.
• Photography & Filming Permits Commercial photography, video, and film shoot permits for brands and production companies using the garden as a location, generating revenue from professional shoots.
• Extinction 6 Mobile Game Mobile video game available on Android/Play Store featuring threatened Colombian flora, designed to educate players about biodiversity conservation awareness.
• Florilegium Botanical illustration and plant documentation publication / collection supporting the garden's scientific and educational mission.
• Laboratorio de Agricultura Urbana Urban agriculture laboratory used as a learning scenario for education on sustainable food production and agricultural practices.
• Mercado Verde (Monthly Sustainable Market) Monthly green market held on the first Sunday of each month featuring organic, agroecological, and sustainable products from local producers, with cultural activities and workshops.
• Club de Aventuras Botánicas Children's club focused on botanical adventures and nature exploration activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2 million free annual visitors supported by ~95% self-generated revenue
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered moderate, minor and core.

• Corporación Parque ArvímoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2020Strategic digital alliance announced in April 2020 to jointly visibility sustainability actions and conservation efforts. Both entities operate complementary nature-based attractions in the Medellín metropolitan area.
• Grupo SuraminorOthersAcknowledged as a supporter/sponsor in the gratitude section of the website. Nature of support not detailed in available source material.
• ComfamacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor ongoing partner through the 'Inspiración Comfama' program, engaging children and youth in nature exploration through joy, experience, and reflection. Also supported by Comfama's environmental education initiatives and school garden projects. One of the most significant institutional partnerships for educational programming.
• Forjas BolívarminorOthersAcknowledged as a supporter. The Butterfly House (Casa de las Mariposas) carries the Forjas Bolívar name, suggesting sponsorship of that specific learning scenario.
• Fundación MUVminorOthersAcknowledged as a supporter in the gratitude section of the website. Nature of support not detailed in available source material.
• Alcaldía de MedellíncoreOthersThe municipal government is a foundational partner, having co-created the garden through public-private initiative 53 years ago. Currently provides approximately 5% of operational resources through the Programa de Formación de Públicos. Commissioned the garden's urban silviculture and landscaping transformation projects.
• National and International Research InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe research team works in alliance with researchers from different national and international institutions to facilitate flora conservation and address urgent environmental challenges. These academic partnerships underpin the scientific credibility of the herbarium and conservation programs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Singapore Botanic Gardens (NParks): UNESCO-listed urban botanical garden combining free public access, living collections, research, and event hosting. Comparable on the free-admission + event-revenue model in a dense urban setting.
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: World-leading botanical institution with one of the largest herbaria globally and extensive international conservation partnerships. Benchmark for the long-term scientific and conservation scale the Medellín garden aspires to through its BGCI membership.
• Missouri Botanical Garden: Major U.S. botanical garden with a globally significant herbarium and active Latin America conservation programs. Comparable on research depth, herbarium scale, and BGCI-style international plant conservation activity.
• New York Botanical Garden: Large global botanical garden combining herbarium research, living collections, education, and event programming. Aspirational benchmark for institutional scale, scientific output, and diversified earned-revenue model.

Others

• Parque Explora: Adjacent interactive science museum in the same Medellín cultural cluster (near Metro Universidad). Targets overlapping family and educational audiences with science-themed programming, making it a complementary neighbor rather than direct competitor.

Regional players

• Corporación Parque Arví: Nature-based attraction in the Medellín metropolitan area that already has a strategic digital alliance with Jardín Botánico de Medellín. Competes for ecotourism, school groups, and family visitors in the same metro region with overlapping but distinct offerings.
• Jardín Botánico de Cali (Agustín Codazzi): Municipal botanical garden in Colombia's third-largest city, operating with similar mission, free access, and conservation-education mandate. Useful Colombian regional benchmark outside Medellín.

Direct peers

• Jardim Botânico de São Paulo: Latin American municipal botanical garden operating as a public institution with living collections, research, environmental education, and event hosting in a major urban context. Closest Latin American analog in scale and operating model.
• Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis: Colombia's other major municipal botanical garden, also a free-access public institution combining living collections, research, environmental education, and event venues. Closest direct comparable in country, mission, and operating model.

Emerging players

• Jardín Botánico Universidad Nacional de Colombia: Academic-affiliated botanical garden in Medellín region that overlaps in research, native flora focus, and educational programming. Smaller and more research-oriented but shares the same Andean ecosystem and audience base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/jbotanicomed
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/jbotanicomed
• Facebookfacebook.com/JardinBotanicoMedellin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jardin-botanico-de-medellín-joaquin-antonio-uribe
• Instagraminstagram.com/jardinbotanicodemedellin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Jardín Botánico de Medellín