FUNDES

What FUNDES does

FUNDES is a Costa Rica-based, non-profit impact consulting firm founded in 1982 that specializes in strengthening micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Latin America and the Caribbean. Operating for more than 40 years with a network of 200+ field specialists and offices in Heredia (HQ), Bogotá, Ciudad de México, and Guatemala City, FUNDES delivers project-based consulting to 300+ organizations including large corporations (Tecpetrol, Castrol, Coppel, HEINEKEN México, Grupo Belcorp, Walmart, Coca-Cola, Pepsico, Nestle, Visa, Cargill), governments (Costa Rica Ministry of Agriculture), foundations, and international development institutions (BID Lab, IDB Invest, GIZ, CAF, World Bank/IFAD). Headcount is reported at 101–250, with 60% women and a multi-national composition.

The firm's service portfolio spans six practice areas: Sustainable Value Chains, Socioeconomic Inclusion, Green & Blue Economy, AI and Digital Transformation, Fund Management, and Research & Knowledge. Core technology assets include Enko, an open-access digital learning platform with 148,849 user registrations across 22 countries (2017–2025), and the Coppel Emprende platform in Mexico (28,000 beneficiaries, 915 seed capital grants). AI capability is delivered primarily through partnerships — notably C-Minds for an AI-powered ocean economy analysis tool — and through digital maturity and AI-advisory services for MSMEs.

FUNDES generates revenue primarily through project-based professional services engagements with enterprise and institutional clients, supplemented by development-fund management for partners such as BID Lab, GIZ, CAF, and IDB Invest. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; engagements are negotiated directly with corporate and institutional buyers. The organization operates as part of FUNDES Group, alongside FUNDAMENTAL (Impact Venture Studio) and a regional financial guarantees vehicle for MSMEs, and has earned four Cannes Lions in 2026 (Gold, two Silver, Bronze) for the Welcome Back Paisano campaign with Tecate and LePub México.

Name

FUNDES

Legal name

Fundes Costa Rica S.A.

Website

https://fundes.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

FUNDES is a non-profit impact consulting firm founded in 1982 and headquartered in Heredia, Costa Rica, that deploys 200+ field specialists across 24+ Latin American and Caribbean countries to strengthen MSMEs through project-based advisory services for corporations, governments, foundations, and development institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Impact Consulting and MSME Development

NAICS

Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAOAB

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors)

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Donor Coordination, Grantmaking & Development Finance Programs

SECONDARYBPAGAKAA

Private Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

Keywords

• Impact consulting services
• MSME development
• Sustainable value chains
• Socioeconomic inclusion programs
• Blue economy advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Belén

HQ country

Costa Rica

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Impact Consulting Services: FUNDES generates revenue by providing specialized consulting services to corporations, governments, foundations, and international organizations. Services include sustainable value chain development, socioeconomic inclusion programs, green and blue economy solutions, digital transformation, fund management, and research and evaluation.
2. Project-based Engagements: Long-term project engagements with enterprise clients and development organizations, typically spanning multiple years with measurable impact outcomes. Revenue derived from consultancy fees, program management, and field implementation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

FUNDES is a private impact consulting firm that designs and implements customized solutions to strengthen the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Latin America and the Caribbean. It delivers project-based consulting engagements covering sustainable value chains, socioeconomic inclusion, green and blue economy, digital transformation and AI, fund management, and applied research, deployed through a network of 200+ field specialists across 24+ countries.

Product overview

FUNDES is an impact consulting firm offering a comprehensive portfolio of services organized around six main practice areas: (1) Sustainable Value Chains, (2) Socioeconomic Inclusion, (3) Green and Blue Economy, (4) Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, (5) Fund Management, and (6) Research and Knowledge. These services are delivered through consulting engagements, digital platforms (Enko, Coppel Emprende), and targeted programs. The core offering is consulting-led impact solutions, supplemented by technology platforms like Enko for business learning and Coppel Emprende for digital training in Mexico. Notable named programs include Plan Vital (financial inclusion for seniors), Programa Mujeres Emprendedoras Belcorp, Acelerá Tu Futuro, Programa Embajadores Castrol, Mi Taller Avanza, and the Tecpetrol Supplier Development program. The company operates across 24+ countries in Latin America and the Caribbean with a network of 200+ specialists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Consultoría de Impacto (Impact Consulting) Core consulting engagement offering specialized solutions that strengthen MSME competitiveness through impact-driven partnerships, delivered to corporations, public institutions, foundations, and international organizations.
• Cadenas de Valor Sostenibles (Sustainable Value Chains) Consulting solutions to integrate and strengthen MSMEs within corporate value chains, including supplier development, sustainable logistics, commercial growth, financial education, and business management improvement.
• Inclusión Socioeconómica (Socioeconomic Inclusion) Programs promoting employability, entrepreneurship, and productive participation for populations with limited opportunities, including women, youth, indigenous peoples, migrants, and older adults.
• Economía Verde y Azul (Green and Blue Economy) Environmental consulting integrating green and blue economy approaches for sustainable business models, circular economy, nature-based solutions, and climate adaptation.
• Inteligencia Artificial y Transformación Digital (AI and Digital Transformation) Digital transformation and AI consulting including digital maturity assessments, digital roadmaps, productivity technologies, and training for MSME adoption.
• Gestión de Fondos (Fund Management) Design and management of development funds and programs including cooperation funds, green funds, blended finance instruments, and seed capital operations.
• Investigación y Conocimiento (Research and Knowledge) Impact evaluation and knowledge generation including social, environmental, and economic assessments, SDG and ESG monitoring, and applied research.
• Enko Digital Platform Open-access digital learning platform for MSMEs providing educational content, practical tools, and action-oriented methodologies to strengthen managerial and financial capabilities globally.
• Coppel Emprende Platform Digital training and support platform in Mexico providing practical tools, continuous training, and network access to strengthen business competencies and strategic decision-making for MSMEs.
• Plan Vital: Finanzas y Tecnología para Mayores Program supporting older adults in Mexico with financial inclusion and digital literacy through in-person training on digital payments, fraud prevention, and banking tools.
• Programa Mujeres Emprendedoras Belcorp Program developed with Belcorp Foundation training women entrepreneurs on leadership, socio-emotional skills, financial education, marketing, and digital sales in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
• Acelera Tu Futuro Support program in Argentina empowering women and LGBTQIA+ individuals to strengthen business management capabilities through training, mentorship, and technology access.
• Programa Embajadores Castrol Certification program for automotive workshops in Colombia delivering training, advisory services, and digital marketing tools to strengthen business management capabilities.
• Mi Taller Avanza Business capacity building program for small distributors and workshops in rural Guatemala linked to Grupo Acquaroni's value chain.
• Desarrollo de Proveedores Tecpetrol Long-term supplier development program strengthening MSME competitiveness for Tecpetrol through continuous improvement, standardization, and specialized consulting aligned with international quality and environmental standards.
• Fondo Recuperación Verde (Green Recovery Fund) Strategic fund in Mexico's Bajío region combining non-reimbursable seed capital with technical assistance to help MSMEs adopt clean technologies and sustainable business models.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,000,000+ MSMEs impacted through FUNDES programs over 40 years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Innovate 4 Nature (I4N)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2024Swiss foundation promoting nature-positive innovation globally. FUNDES serves as the Latin America hub for I4N, accelerating regenerative solutions and connecting startups with companies and communities. I4N aims to accelerate 100+ nature-positive solutions by 2030. First I4N regional center in Latin America launched at FUNDES offices in Costa Rica.
• Fundación CoppelflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance for 'A Toda Costa, por el Golfo de California' initiative to strengthen Marine Prosperity Areas (APMs) in Mexico. Project covers five Gulf states (Sonora, Sinaloa, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Nayarit) promoting sustainable marine economy through regenerative tourism, sustainable fishing, and local gastronomy.
• TecpetrolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner20-year supplier development program strengthening MSME competitiveness in Tecpetrol's supply chain. 180 companies impacted, 4,987 consulting hours delivered. Aligned with international quality, safety, and environmental standards.
• CastrolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCastrol Ambassadors Program strengthening automotive workshops in Colombia. 132 workshops certified in Bogotá and Cali, with improvements in business management, digital marketing, and sales of Castrol products.
• Grupo Belcorp (Fundación Belcorp)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen Entrepreneurs Program training 412 women in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Comprehensive program covering leadership, socio-emotional skills, financial education, marketing, and digital sales.
• HEINEKEN MéxicoflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelcome Back Paisano platform for labor reintegration of repatriated Mexicans. Tecate brand initiative with FUNDES providing methodology and accompaniment for participant economic integration through Tiendas SIX network.
• Tiendas SIXflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetail network partner in Welcome Back Paisano initiative, providing employment opportunities for repatriated Mexican workers through store openings and operational roles.
• CoppelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoppel Emprende program providing digital training, network access, and tools for MSME growth in Mexico. 28,000 people benefited, 915 seed capital grants. Platform strengthening business competencies and strategic decision-making.
• Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería de Costa RicacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerScaling Sustainable Agricultural Technologies project designing pilots, training, and mechanisms for sustainable technologies. Partnership with World Bank/IFAD for theory of change, financing mechanisms, and PYMPA enterprise development.
• Centro para la Biodiversidad Marina y la Conservación (CBMC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Blue Economy webinar series, contributing Conservation Leadership Program and expertise in marine conservation and youth empowerment in coastal communities.
• LatimpactominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLatin American impact network collaborating for solution scaling, market connection, and knowledge sharing across the region.
• Aspen InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network partner for knowledge sharing and global experience learning.
• ConvergenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlended finance network partner providing market intelligence and data on financing structures for sustainable development.
• CodespaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development organization partner for collaborative initiatives.
• InnpactiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact investment network partner for Latin America collaboration.
• Grupo AcquaronicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMi Taller Avanza program strengthening small distributors and workshops in Guatemala. 30 local distributors strengthened with 100% customer portfolio increase and 70% hiring new staff.
• BAC CredomaticminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFinancial inclusion strategy design for women-led SMEs in El Salvador with BID Invest (2024), analyzing gaps and contrasting expectations with bank offerings.
• Banco Improsa (Costa Rica)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGender-focused financial inclusion strategy to transform service model for women entrepreneurs (2019), including stakeholder identification and value proposition development.
• Banco Agrícola (El Salvador)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAdapted credit products to real cash flows of women entrepreneurs for improved access while ensuring professionalization commitment, creating sustainable value chain linkage.
• Automotores CorbetacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance in Castrol Ambassadors Program providing commercial support and network access for automotive workshop development in Colombia.
• CoremarcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEcopalermo Strengthening project integrating recycling center into regional value chain. $8 million monthly income duplication achieved, 240 waste pickers formalized.
• FUNDES GroupcoreOthersFUNDES is part of FUNDES Group ecosystem comprising FUNDES Impact Consulting, FUNDAMENTAL (Impact Venture Studio), and a regional financial guarantees vehicle for MSMEs.
• LePub MéxicoflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising agency partner in Welcome Back Paisano campaign recognized at Cannes Lions 2026, contributing creative strategy and brand transformation approach.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/FundesTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/FUNDES
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fundes
• Instagraminstagram.com/fundes_latam
• Xx.com/FundesLatam

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 FUNDES