CEMCA
CEMCA is a French government-funded research institute (UMIFRE 16/UAR 3337) that has conducted archaeological and social science research on Mexico and Central America since 1959, serving academic researchers, doctoral students, and partner institutions through field projects, the TRACE journal, and training programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1959
- HeadquartersCiudad de México (Mexico City), Mexico
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CEMCA does
CEMCA (Centro de Estudios Mexicanos y Centroamericanos) is a French government-funded research institute, formally constituted as UMIFRE 16/UAR 3337, that has operated continuously in Mexico and Central America since 1959. The institute specializes in Mesoamerican archaeology and social sciences, conducting approximately ten active archaeological and ethnographic field projects — including flagship long-running efforts at the Río Bec Maya site in Mexico and the Naachtun site in Guatemala — using methodologies spanning excavation, settlement pattern analysis, LiDAR remote sensing, and iconographic data systematization. CEMCA manages a dedicated archaeology and restoration laboratory housing recovered artifact collections and publishes the TRACE academic journal (40 years of continuous publication since 1985) along with monographs and catalogs distributed through an online store.
The institute's revenue model is dominated by institutional grants from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the CNRS, supplemented by modest, immaterial streams: workshop fees for a children's archaeology program (~$2,800 MXN per session), publication sales, and administration of fixed doctoral mobility grants (1,200 EUR). CEMCA serves a dual audience: a primary academic constituency comprising researchers, doctoral students, and partner institutions (CNRS, INAH, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, UNAM, EHESS, Casa de Velázquez, IFEA), and a secondary general-public audience reached via educational workshops and open-access digital content. Dissemination occurs through a multilingual website (Spanish, French, English), social media, the TRACE journal, recurring academic events including the annual Journées des Jeunes Américanistes, and the Seminario Diálogos Interdisciplinarios seminar series.
Operationally, CEMCA maintains its headquarters in Mexico City's Polanco district with a regional antenna in Guatemala City under Benjamín Moallic. The institute is led by Director Arnaud Exbalin and counts approximately 17 named researchers across archaeology, anthropology, history, political science, geography, and linguistics. Notable recognition includes the 2018 Grand Prix Français d'Archéologie Nationale awarded to Philippe Nondédéo and the Naachtun Project team. The organization is structurally a nonprofit unit of the French state with no private ownership, venture funding, or commercial revenue ambition.
CEMCA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CEMCA
- Legal name
- Centro de Estudios Mexicanos y Centroamericanos
- Website
- https://cemca.org.mx
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1959
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- CEMCA is a French government-funded research institute (UMIFRE 16/UAR 3337) that has conducted archaeological and social science research on Mexico and Central America since 1959, serving academic researchers, doctoral students, and partner institutions through field projects, the TRACE journal, and training programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where CEMCA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ciudad de México (Mexico City)
- HQ country
- Mexico
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices2 records
Markets served
CEMCA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Government Funding: CEMCA is primarily financed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministère des Affaires Étrangères) and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) of France
- Workshop Fees: Revenue from educational programs including archaeology workshops for children priced at $2,800 MXN per session
- Publication Sales: Sale of academic publications, books, catalogs, and the TRACE journal through the CEMCA store (tienda.cemca.org.mx)
- Doctoral Research Grants: CEMCA participates in administering doctoral mobility aid programs (Aides à la Recherche Doctorale) providing 1,200 EUR fixed grants for field research
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Archaeology workshop for children ages 9-13 |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Doctoral research mobility aid (ARD) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
CEMCA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CEMCA conducts French-Mexican scientific research in pre-Hispanic archaeology and social sciences across Mexico and Central America, managing active archaeological excavation projects (such as Río Bec and Naachtun). The institute publishes the TRACE academic journal, books and catalogs on Mesoamerican heritage, administers doctoral research mobility grants (ARD), and runs educational outreach including children's archaeology workshops. Its core deliverables are scholarly research, field excavation, academic publications, and researcher training.
Product overview
CEMCA (Centro de Estudios Mexicanos y Centroamericanos) is a French research institute specialized in archaeology and social sciences operating for over 65 years in Mexico and Central America. The organization offers a diverse portfolio centered on academic research (archaeological projects like Río Bec), scholarly publishing (the TRACE journal and books), educational programs (children's archaeology workshops), and digital knowledge dissemination through minisites documenting cultural heritage. The core offerings include the TRACE academic journal, the Río Bec archaeological research project, publications on Mesoamerican studies, and educational outreach programs. Funding comes from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and CNRS, with collaboration with INAH and Mexican academic institutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- TRACE: Academic journal published by CEMCA focusing on social sciences and humanities related to the Americas.
- Taller de Iniciación a la Arqueología
Products and services
- TRACE Academic Journal An academic journal published by CEMCA for over 40 years dedicated to promoting knowledge and research in social sciences and humanities related to the Americas.
- Río Bec Archaeological Research Project A major long-term archaeological research project conducted by Mexican and French teams studying the Río Bec Maya site, using LiDAR technology to map 79.4 km² and analyze settlement patterns and urban organization.
- Taller de Iniciación a la Arqueología (Archaeology Workshop for Children) An introductory archaeology course for children aged 9-13 years, offering hands-on workshops, visits to archaeological sites, and educational activities about Mesoamerican heritage, priced at $2,800 MXN per session.
- Aides à la Recherche Doctorale (ARD) Mobility Grants Doctoral research mobility grants administered by CEMCA in partnership with Institut des Amériques and SoFHIA, providing 1,200 EUR fixed grants for field research in the Americas or European archives, aimed at doctoral students in human and social sciences.
- Río Bec: Un sitio maya extraordinario (Exhibition Catalog) A catalog from the exhibition presenting archaeological research findings from Río Bec including over 30 objects found at the site: vessels, bowls, ornaments, censers, and incense burners.
- Violencias contra las mujeres (Publication) A book analyzing the construction of sexist violence as a public issue in Nicaragua, examining feminist movements and gender violence across different political regimes.
- Seminario Diálogos Interdisciplinarios A seminar series featuring research presentations on topics including archaeology, rock art, and interdisciplinary studies conducted by CEMCA researchers and doctoral students.
- Journées des Jeunes Américanistes (JJA) Annual Conference An annual academic conference bringing together young researchers in human and social sciences, co-organized with Casa de Velázquez and IFEA, with editions in Mexico City and Madrid.
- CEMCA Online Store (Publications and Merchandise) Online sales platform at tienda.cemca.org.mx offering CEMCA academic publications, books, catalogs, and TRACE journal subscriptions.
- Diálogos de Saberes Symposium An interdisciplinary academic symposium organized with IIFL-UNAM featuring dialogue on methodological innovation, critical use of sources, and collaborative practices in Maya archaeology.
Quantifiable outcome
- 40 years of TRACE journal publication
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use CEMCA
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CEMCA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
CEMCA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)corePrimary research partner and major funding source. CEMCA is funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and CNRS. CNRS researchers are embedded in CEMCA projects and many researchers hold CNRS positions.
- INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia)coreFormal collaboration agreement for archaeological excavations and heritage conservation in Mexico. CEMCA collaborates with INAH on excavation permits and site management.
- Université Paris 1 Panthéon-SorbonnecoreKey academic partner hosting the Archéologie des Amériques laboratory (UMR 8096). Multiple joint research projects and researcher exchanges.
- UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México)coreCollaboration through Centro de Estudios Mayas (IIFL-UNAM), multiple institutes, and joint research projects including the 'Diálogos de Saberes' symposium organized with IIFL.
- Institut des AmériquesmajorCo-administrator of the ARD doctoral mobility grants program. Structured in five regional poles with member institutions across France.
- EHESS (École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales)majorAcademic partner for research and doctoral training. Multiple researchers hold EHESS affiliations and teach at the school.
- Casa de VelázquezmajorCo-organizer of the annual Journées des Jeunes Américanistas (JJA). The 2026 edition is held in partnership with Casa de Velázquez in Madrid.
- IFEA (Institut Français d'Études Andines)majorCo-organizer of JJA 2026. French research institute focused on Andean studies with regional presence.
- SoFHIA (Société Franco-Hispanique d'Archéologie)minorCo-administrator of ARD doctoral research grants for Mexico and Central America alongside Institut des Amériques and CEMCA.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
CEMCA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- IFEA (Institut Français d'Études Andines): A French research institute (UMIFRE) specializing in Andean studies, part of the same French foreign-research network as CEMCA. Co-organizes JJA 2026 with CEMCA and shares the CNRS/MEA funding model, making it a structural twin operating in a neighboring Latin American region.
- Institut des Amériques: French network of research institutions focused on the Americas; co-administrator of the ARD doctoral mobility grants alongside CEMCA. Operates a closely linked mission of fostering Americas-focused scholarship across French institutions.
- Casa de Velázquez: French academic and research institution in Madrid with a comparable mix of advanced research, doctoral training, and cultural programming. Co-organizes the Journées des Jeunes Américanistes with CEMCA and serves a similar role in the French overseas-research ecosystem.
- UMR 8096 ArchAm (Archéologie des Amériques, CNRS – Université Paris 1): The CNRS-Université Paris 1 laboratory that houses most CEMCA-affiliated researchers and supplies CEMCA's archaeological science backbone. It is directly comparable as a unit conducting Americas-focused archaeological research and hosting the researchers CEMCA relies on.
- CIESAS (Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social): Mexican CONACYT-affiliated social science research center with a comparable mandate in anthropology, history, and social sciences. CIESAS offers a directly comparable Mexican counterpart to CEMCA's social-science research activity and shares overlapping subject matter.
Broad incumbents
- EHESS (École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales): Major French social science research and graduate institution whose researchers (e.g., Arnaud Exbalin, Adèle Blazquez, Irene Pochetti) are affiliated with CEMCA. Operates an overlapping Americas-focused research portfolio and trains many of CEMCA's doctoral cohorts.
- CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique): CEMCA's primary French research and funding counterpart. CNRS operates at vastly larger scale across all scientific disciplines, with embedded research units (UMRs) such as UMR 8096 ArchAm that directly staff CEMCA's projects.
- UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México): Largest public university in Mexico and CEMCA's primary Mexican academic partner (Centro de Estudios Mayas, IIFL). Operates broader education and research programs but overlaps with CEMCA in Mesoamerican archaeology, linguistics, and social sciences.
- Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne: CEMCA's principal French university partner and co-host of the UMR 8096 ArchAm laboratory. Several CEMCA researchers hold Paris 1 positions and direct projects such as Río Bec from the university's archaeology faculty, making it a structurally overlapping institution.
- INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia): Mexican federal authority for archaeology and heritage. CEMCA's excavation work depends on INAH permits and collaboration, and INAH also runs its own research and conservation programs covering similar Mesoamerican subject matter at much larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CEMCA social profiles
Digital presenceCEMCA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CEMCA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
CEMCA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CEMCA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CEMCA
What does CEMCA do?
CEMCA conducts French-Mexican scientific research in pre-Hispanic archaeology and social sciences across Mexico and Central America, managing active archaeological excavation projects (such as Río Bec and Naachtun). The institute publishes the TRACE academic journal, books and catalogs on Mesoamerican heritage, administers doctoral research mobility grants (ARD), and runs educational outreach including children's archaeology workshops. Its core deliverables are scholarly research, field excavation, academic publications, and researcher training.
Is CEMCA a public or private company?
CEMCA is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was CEMCA founded?
CEMCA was founded in 1959. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is CEMCA based?
CEMCA is headquartered in Ciudad de México (Mexico City), Mexico, in the Latin America region.
How does CEMCA make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are workshop Fees, publication Sales and doctoral Research Grants.
Who are CEMCA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are IFEA (Institut Français d'Études Andines), Institut des Amériques, Casa de Velázquez, UMR 8096 ArchAm (Archéologie des Amériques, CNRS – Université Paris 1) and CIESAS (Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social). Broad incumbents are EHESS (École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales), CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México), Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia).
Does CEMCA have an API?
No public API is recorded for CEMCA.