Amigos de Sian Ka'an

What Amigos de Sian Ka'an does

Amigos de Sian Ka'an (legal name: Amigos de Sian Ka'an A.C.) is a Mexican nonprofit civil association founded in 1986, headquartered in Cancún with a regional office in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo. Its mission is to conserve the integrity and functionality of Yucatan Peninsula ecosystems while promoting socioeconomic development of local communities, anchored in science and influence on environmental policy. The organization runs four core conservation programs (Agua/water resources, Arrecife/reef, Cambio Climático/climate change, Selvas y Humedales/forests and wetlands), operates the Maya Ka'an low-impact sustainable tourism destination brand across three municipalities, and in September 2024 launched IDEA ASK, an SEQ-validated environmental education institute offering five diplomas.

Its core technology and science stack includes aerial electromagnetic mapping of 380 km² of the Tulum micro-basin, a hydrogeological model with climate change scenarios developed with the Technical University of Denmark, mathematical sea level rise modeling using MODFLOW, economic valuation of the Quintana Roo aquifer, 14 seawater temperature monitoring sites for coral bleaching early warning, a citizen-science Devil Fish Reporting Platform, and 95% characterization of the Mesoamerican Reef in Mexico. The organization monitors 600 km of reef and supports 6 marine protected areas alongside over 1 million hectares of Maya Jungle protection.

The business model is donation- and grant-funded rather than commercial. Revenue streams comprise individual and corporate donations (including 7-Eleven/Iconn rounding campaigns), institutional grants from international organizations (GEF, UNDP, USAID/MLED, BID, KfW), government agency funding (CONANP, SEDESOL, SEMA), and corporate benefactors (Coca-Cola, HSBC, Airbnb, Volaris). Pricing is non-commercial, though the IDEA ASK diplomas create a nascent fee-for-service education vertical. The go-to-market motion is community-led, leveraging direct community engagement across 56 Maya communities, formal partnerships with government and academic entities (CICY, ECOSUR, University of Rhode Island), and a Maya Ka'an destination network that channels tourism revenue back to community enterprises. Tourism industry and government institutional customers (hotels including Rosewood Mayakoba, Secrets, Now Jade; municipal agencies including CAPA, FONATUR) are served via education, certification, and emissions advisory engagements rather than product licensing.

Name

Amigos de Sian Ka'an

Legal name

Amigos de Sian Ka'an A.C.

Website

https://amigosdesiankaan.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Amigos de Sian Ka'an is a 39-year-old Mexican nonprofit conservation organization that uses science-based programs in water, reef, climate, and forest conservation to support Maya communities and sustainable tourism in the Yucatan Peninsula, funded primarily through international grants, government partnerships, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Rainforest & Jungle Ecotourism Tours (THAAAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community-Based & Indigenous-Owned Nature Lodges (THAAAHAI)

Keywords

• Environmental conservation services
• Sustainable tourism development
• Marine ecosystem protection
• Watershed conservation programs
• Environmental education training

Headquarters

HQ city

Cancún

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization relies primarily on donations from individuals, corporations, and institutional donors to fund conservation and community development programs.
2. Institutional Grants and Project Funding: Funding from international organizations (GEF, UNDP), government agencies (CONANP, SEDESOL), and foundations for specific conservation and sustainable development projects.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Rounding Campaigns: Partnerships with companies like 7-Eleven for rounding campaigns where customer donations support conservation activities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Amigos de Sian Ka'an is a nonprofit civil association that conserves ecosystems of the Yucatan Peninsula through four core programs: marine reef protection (Arrecife), Maya aquifer and water resource management (Agua), climate change mitigation for the tourism sector (Cambio Climático), and forests and wetlands conservation (Selvas y Humedales). It also operates the Maya Ka'an low-impact sustainable tourism destination brand and the IDEA ASK environmental education institute offering SEQ-validated diplomas.

Product overview

Amigos de Sian Ka'an operates as a multi-program environmental conservation organization rather than a single product company. Its portfolio includes: (1) Maya Ka'an destination brand - a low-impact sustainable tourism destination across three municipalities; (2) IDEA ASK - an environmental education institute offering five SEQ-validated diplomas and training programs; (3) Core conservation programs covering reef/marine ecosystems (Arrecife), water resources (Agua), climate change (Cambio Climático), and forests/wetlands (Selvas y Humedales); (4) Citizen science platforms including a Devil Fish Reporting Platform; (5) Various campaigns like BeGreenstagram and Eres Agua Toma Conciencia; (6) Community development initiatives supporting 56 Maya communities with collective brands and productive projects. The organization functions through integrated programs rather than a unified product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Maya Ka'an: First low-impact sustainable destination brand in Mexico, created by Amigos de Sian Ka'an to promote community-based ecotourism in the Maya region of Quintana Roo, benefiting local communities while protecting natural resources.
• IDEA ASK
• BeGreenstagram

Products and services

• Maya Ka'an Sustainable Tourism Destination Brand Low-impact sustainable tourism destination brand spanning three municipalities, designed to benefit local Maya communities while protecting natural resources. Promotes eco-tourism experiences combining jungle, Caribbean coast, and living Maya cultural heritage through community tourism enterprises.
• IDEA ASK Environmental Education Institute Environmental education institute providing formal and virtual educational programs including five SEQ-validated diplomas (Environmental Citizen Science, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation, Sustainable Best Practices for Tourism Companies, Community Water Governance, and Water Culture), scientific dissemination, and community training to promote sustainable development awareness.
• Arrecife Reef Conservation Program Marine conservation program focused on studying and monitoring 600 km of reef along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, promoting sustainable aquatic tourism practices, and controlling invasive species like lionfish and devil fish. Has achieved characterization of 90-95% of the Mesoamerican Reef System in Mexico.
• Agua Water Resource Conservation Program
• Cambio Climático Climate Change Program
• mayakaan.travel Online Tourism Platform
• Devil Fish Citizen Science Reporting Platform
• Selvas y Humedales Forest and Wetlands Conservation Program
• Wastewater Treatment Diploma Program Diploma in Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation validated by SEQ, having trained 88 operators from Xcaret (with over 5,000 employees), Hilton Playa del Carmen, CAPA, FONATUR, IBANQROO, and SAC-TUN, benefiting approximately 1 million people in the region.

Quantifiable outcome

• Established 6 marine protected areas covering key reef ecosystems
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CONANP (Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2025Collaboration agreement to strengthen conservation, management, and sustainability of protected natural areas. Includes strategies focused on ecological restoration, promotion of sustainable practices, and community participation.
• 7-Eleven / IconnminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 April 2020Rounding campaign (RED) where customer donations support cenote conservation and support for Maya communities affected by COVID-19. 50% of funds directed to conservation, 50% to community support.
• Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán (CICY)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 February 2020Scientific cooperation agreement to promote research projects for sustainable use and management of water resources and aquifer conservation in Quintana Roo, based on science.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the PEACC (State Action Plan for Climate Change) of Quintana Roo, marine ecosystem monitoring, and identification of fish aggregation sites. TNC and ASK identified three important fish aggregation sites.
• Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo (CCAD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through the MAR2R project (Integrated Management from Basin to Reef) for training wastewater treatment plant operators and promoting sustainable water management across the Mesoamerican Reef region.
• SAC-TUNminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the wastewater treatment diploma program and sustainable water management initiatives in the region.
• Secretaría de Ecología y Medio Ambiente (SEMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the State Action Plan for Climate Change (PEACC) and the Low Carbon Emissions Strategy for Tourism.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - Carlos Slim Foundation AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial and technical support for the PEACC and devil fish monitoring and control program in Rio Hondo.
• Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on devil fish (Pterygoplichthys pardalis) monitoring and control, identified as invasive species in Rio Hondo since 2013.
• Slow Food / Slow Fish CaribbeanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on sustainable lobster fishing in Sian Ka'an and Banco Chinchorro, promoting appropriate fishing techniques.
• Secretaría de Desarrollo Social de Quintana Roo (SEDESO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on providing renewable energy (solar photovoltaic) to Punta Allen community, improving quality of life and reducing environmental impacts.
• 25 Civil Society Organizations of Quintana RoominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition demanding reversal of 75% budget cuts to federal environmental institutions (SEMARNAT, CONANP, CONAFOR, CONAGUA, PROFEPA, CONABIO, INECC, IMTA).
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as benefactor supporting conservation initiatives.
• Secretaría de Educación de Quintana Roo (SEQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerValidating partner for IDEA ASK educational institute diplomas and programs.
• Gobierno del Estado de Quintana RoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating on Maya Ka'an destination development, sustainable tourism policies, and environmental conservation initiatives.
• Red de Turismo Comunitario 'Caminos Sagrados'coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of community tourism enterprises collaborating on Maya Ka'an destination promotion and Biocultural encounters.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• EarthCheck: Global sustainability certification body for the travel and tourism industry and ASK technical partner on the Low Carbon Emissions Strategy. Comparable as an incumbent tourism-sustainability player, with broader global footprint than ASK's regional focus.

Direct peers

• Wildlife Conservation Society: Global conservation organization with strong marine and terrestrial programs. Comparable to ASK in science-driven wildlife conservation, protected-area management, and partnerships with government agencies and local communities.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Mexico: Mexican arm of WWF and ASK partner on invasive species monitoring (devil fish) and the PEACC climate plan. Comparable in marine conservation programs, government collaboration, and global-to-local nonprofit funding model.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC): Global conservation organization and direct ASK partner on marine monitoring and PEACC climate action planning. Comparable in science-driven marine/coastal conservation, reef work, and influence on protected-area policy across Latin America.
• Rare: Global conservation nonprofit focused on behavior change and community-led conservation. Comparable to ASK in grassroots community engagement model, environmental education campaigns (BeGreenstagram, Eres Agua Toma Conciencia), and tourism sustainability work.
• Pronatura México: Leading Mexican conservation nonprofit working on biodiversity, sustainable development, and community engagement across Mexico. Comparable to ASK in mission, nonprofit funding model, and focus on community-based conservation, though operating at broader national scale.
• Conservation International: Global nonprofit applying science, policy, and partnerships to protect nature. Comparable to ASK in funding model (grants, foundations, corporate sponsors), science-driven program design, and focus on biodiversity and sustainable development outcomes.
• Comunidad y Biodiversidad (COBI): Mexican nonprofit focused on marine conservation and community fisheries in northwest Mexico. Comparable to ASK in marine conservation model, community-based fisheries management (overlaps with ASK's sustainable lobster program), and nonprofit funding structure.
• Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative: Multi-stakeholder initiative focused on the Mesoamerican Reef ecosystem health. Highly comparable to ASK's reef work, geographic focus, and science-based advocacy for reef protection across the same region.
• Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (FMCN): Mexican environmental fund that channels donor and grant capital to conservation NGOs. Comparable to ASK in operating model within Mexican conservation funding ecosystem and supporting protected-area and sustainable development work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/login
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AmigosdeSianKaan
• Facebookfacebook.com/amigossiankaan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/amigossiankaan
• Instagraminstagram.com/amigossiankaan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Amigos de Sian Ka'an