FUNDASES

What FUNDASES does

FUNDASES (Fundación para el Desarrollo Agroecológico, Social y Económico Sostenible) is a Colombian non-profit foundation founded in 1986 and affiliated with the Obra Minuto de Dios social organization. The foundation specializes in research, development, and transfer of agroecological biotechnologies, holding the exclusive license from EMRO Japan to produce and distribute EM-1® (Microorganismos Eficaces), a proprietary consortium of beneficial microorganisms developed by Dr. Teruo Higa used for soil regeneration, agricultural productivity improvement, and ecosystem balancing. The integrated business spans biotechnological products (EM-1®, Agroplux, Azobac, Fosforiz, Agrogreen, Agrocid, Vermiwash, biological control agents), the LAB soil analysis laboratory at UNIMINUTO's Parque Científico de Innovación Social (analyzing 40+ macro/micronutrients), the CORAFLOR Rural Sustainable Development Center in Subachoque with a 2,000 m² composting plant processing 400 tons/month, EPSEA-authorized agricultural extension services, and the Forma training program.

The revenue model is hybrid: product sales through a national distributor network covering ~20 Colombian departments, fee-based laboratory and training services, EPSEA technical assistance contracts, and donations supporting community programs. The foundation serves rural producers, municipal governments seeking waste management solutions (Colombia Sin Basuras program across ~37 municipalities), women rural producers, organic cacao growers, food-sector enterprises, and agricultural students. Products carry ICA registrations and CERES organic certification. Leadership is led by General Manager Milena Salgado with a Technical Director, Commercial Director, laboratory director, and project coordinators.

Name

FUNDASES

Legal name

Fundación para el Desarrollo Agroecológico, Social y Económico Sostenible

Website

https://fundases.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FUNDASES is a Colombian non-profit foundation and exclusive EMRO Japan licensee producing EM-1® microbial biotechnology, organic compost, and soil analysis services. It serves rural producers, municipalities, and food enterprises across Colombia through agricultural extension and the Colombia Sin Basuras program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Biotechnology

NAICS

Fertilizer and Compost Manufacturing (32531), Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (32532), Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253)

SIC

Agricultural Chemicals (2870), Agricultural Services (700), Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFABAKAJ

Soil Health Activators & Biostimulants (Humates, Amino Acids, Seaweed Extracts)

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Inputs & Agrochemicals/Organic & Regenerative Inputs (OMRI Inputs, Compost, Natural Pest Control)

SECONDARYAFABAKAD

Compost Tea, Extracts & Microbial Inoculants

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Inputs & Agrochemicals/Organic & Regenerative Inputs (OMRI Inputs, Compost, Natural Pest Control)

SECONDARYEUAAAIAH

Bio-based Fertilizers, Soil Amendments & Biostimulants (Digestate-derived, biochar-based inputs)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Bioenergy, Natural Gas & Biomass/Biorefining & Bio-based Chemicals (Co-products, Bioproducts)

SECONDARYIMAEAEAF

Organic & Bio-based Fertilizers (Manure/Compost/Biochar)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Chemicals & Industrial Materials/Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals

SECONDARYAFAJAFAF

Natural Antimicrobials & Clean-Label Preservatives (Plant Extracts, Essential Oils, Fermented Extracts)

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Ingredients & Additives/Preservatives & Antimicrobials (Organic Acids, Nitrates, Cultured Dextrose)

SECONDARYAFABAJAK

Organic & Biological Input Retail (Biostimulants, Biopesticides, OMRI)

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Inputs & Agrochemicals/Agrochemical Distribution & Retail (Farm Supply, Co-ops)

Keywords

• Agricultural biotechnology
• Microbial inoculants
• Soil analysis services
• Organic composting
• Agricultural extension

Headquarters

HQ city

Bogotá

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Biotechnological Products: Sale of biotechnology products including EM-1®, Agroplux, Azobac, Fosforiz, Vermiwash, Agrogreen, Agrocid, and Coraorganic compost. Products are distributed through national network of authorized distributors and directly to producers.
2. Laboratory Services: Physical, chemical, and microbiological soil analysis services for producers, municipalities, and agricultural enterprises. Includes water quality and foliar material analysis.
3. Training and Education: Courses, workshops, and technical training in organic agriculture, composting, vermiculture, urban agriculture, essential oils, marketing, and extension services under EPSEA certification.
4. EPSEA Extension Services: Agricultural extension services as authorized EPSEA under Resolution 635/2025, providing technical assistance to rural producers across Colombia.
5. Donations: As a social entity of the Minuto de Dios organization, FUNDASES receives donations to support sustainability projects, environmental education, and community development initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

FUNDASES researches, develops, manufactures, and distributes agricultural biotechnology products — primarily the EM-1® Effective Microorganisms consortium and related bio-inputs (Agroplux, Azobac, Fosforiz, Agrogreen, Agrocid, Vermiwash), biological control agents (Metarhizium, Beauveria, Trichoderma, Paecilomyces), and certified organic compost (Coraorganic, Bokashi EM-1®). As the sole licensed EM-1® producer and distributor in Colombia under a 25+ year agreement with EMRO Japan, it sells products directly and through a national distributor network spanning ~20 departments. It complements the product line with physical, chemical, and microbiological soil analysis at its LAB laboratory, agricultural extension services as an authorized EPSEA, training courses through Forma, and the CORAFLOR rural development center with a 2,000 m² composting plant processing 400 tons of organic waste per month.

Product overview

FUNDASES offers a comprehensive portfolio of biotechnological solutions centered on EM-1 (Effective Microorganisms) technology, representing the exclusive license for EMRO Japan in Colombia. The core offering includes EM-1 microbial consortium and specialized formulations (Agroplux, Azobac, Fosforiz, Agrogreen, Agrocid, Vermiwash) for agricultural applications, complemented by biological control agents (Metarhizium, Beauveria, Trichoderma, Paecilomyces). The service ecosystem comprises the CORAFLOR Rural Development Center with a 2,000 m2 composting plant producing Coraorganic certified fertilizer, the LAB soil analysis laboratory offering physical, chemical, and microbiological testing, EPSEA agricultural extension services, and the Forma education program. Key programs include the Colombia Sin Basuras municipal waste transformation initiative operating across 37 municipalities. Products are certified by ICA and CERES for organic production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CORAFLOR: Centro de Desarrollo Rural Sostenible - rural sustainable development center for agroecological training, research and demonstration
• LAB de FUNDASES
• Coraorganic

Products and services

• EM-1® (Microorganismos Eficaces / Effective Microorganisms)

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of organic waste avoided going to landfills through Colombia Sin Basuras program
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.

• EMRO Japón (EM Research Organization)coreTechnology or IntegrationExclusive licensing partnership for EM-1® (Effective Microorganisms) technology in Colombia. FUNDASES is the only authorized entity in Colombia for production and distribution of this biotechnology, representing the technology for over 25 years.
• Minuto de Dios (Obra Minuto de Dios)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFUNDASES is a social entity of the Obra Minuto de Dios, part of a 70-year-old organization dedicated to social development. This affiliation provides institutional backing, community trust, and access to the broader Minuto de Dios network including UNIMINUTO, COMD, and CEMD.
• UNIMINUTO (Universidad Minuto de Dios)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership including hosting the laboratory at Parque Científico de Innovación Social UNIMINUTO, collaboration in Ecoescuela community programs, and TV UNIMINUTO media partnership. Joint initiatives in environmental education and social innovation.
• TV AgrocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partnership for production of 9 specialized agricultural programs showcasing FUNDASES laboratory services, CORAFLOR center, and sustainable agriculture techniques. Programs broadcast nationally on TV Agro channel.
• JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDevelopment cooperation agency supporting agricultural extension and rural development initiatives in Colombia, collaborating with FUNDASES EPSEA programs.
• Municipio de CajicáflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlagship municipality partner for Colombia Sin Basuras program since 2009. First municipality to implement comprehensive organic waste separation, composting with EM-1®, and community education. Model case replicated across 37 municipalities.
• ECOSIECHA S.A. E.S.P. (Guasca)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWater and sanitation company of Guasca implementing Colombia Sin Basuras program since 2012. Processing 40+ tons/month of organic waste with EM-1® technology, serving population growth from 2,660 to 5,630 users.
• Gobernación de CundinamarcasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDepartmental government partner supporting rural development and agricultural extension programs through PDEA (Planes Departamentales de Extension Agropecuaria) in Cundinamarca region.
• AsohofrucolsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerColombian association of fruit and vegetable producers partnering for agricultural extension and market access programs for rural producers.
• CERES CertificationcoreTechnology or IntegrationOrganic certification body providing CERES certification for Coraorganic compost and other FUNDASES products, ensuring compliance with organic production standards for national and international markets.
• EMSER GuatavitacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMunicipal public services company of Guatavita implementing Colombia Sin Basuras program adapted for tourism-driven economy with circular economy solutions for restaurants and fishing clubs.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights1 record

Emerging players

• Agrinos: Microbial agricultural input company focused on biological crop solutions and soil health products. Operates in Latin America and globally, with comparable biological input positioning but a for-profit, venture-backed structure.

Direct peers

• Symborg: Spanish-origin agricultural biotechnology company (now part of Corteva) producing microbial solutions, biostimulants, and biocontrol products. Comparable product portfolio (microbial inoculants + biostimulants) with established Latin American and global distribution.
• EM Research Organization (EMRO): EMRO Japan is the licensor of EM-1® technology and the parent organization of the global EM-1 distribution network. While not a commercial competitor, EMRO and its affiliated country distributors are the closest direct comparables in terms of technology stack and product portfolio — and they are the alternative channel through which Colombian customers could access EM-1® if FUNDASES lost exclusivity.
• TeraGanix: TeraGanix is an EM-1® licensee in the United States, distributing the same Effective Microorganisms technology for agricultural and home/professional applications. Functions as another country-level peer within the EM-1® licensee network, with a comparable product mix.
• Rizobacter: Argentine biological input company producing microbial inoculants, biological pest control, and biofertilizers for Latin American agriculture. Closest for-profit Latin American comparable in biological agricultural inputs with regional scale and ICA-equivalent registrations.
• SCD Probiotics: SCD Probiotics is a US-based EM-1®/Effective Microorganisms distributor offering similar probiotic blends for agriculture, livestock, and waste treatment. Most directly comparable to FUNDASES' biotechnological product line and microbial inoculant portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Novonesis (Novozymes BioAg): Global leader in industrial enzymes and microbial solutions with a substantial BioAg division producing inoculants and biocontrol products. Overlaps with FUNDASES' biostimulant/biological-control portfolio but at a vastly larger scale with global distribution.
• Pivot Bio: US-based agricultural biotech company producing microbial nitrogen-fixes for cereal crops. Comparable biological-input product category but operates at significantly greater scale with substantial venture and strategic capital.

Regional players

• Biomax (Peru): Peruvian organic fertilizer and soil amendment producer focused on Andean smallholder agriculture. Comparable organic/biofertilizer positioning but operates in Peru rather than Colombia, making it a regional rather than direct competitor.

Others

• Asohofrucol-equivalent: Biocosta: Colombian agricultural biotechnology and biological inputs producer serving the fruit and vegetable sector. Adjacent ecosystem participant operating in the same Colombian regulatory and producer environment, useful for benchmarking biological input positioning in Colombia.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fundasesmd
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@FUNDASES
• Facebookfacebook.com/FUNDASESMD
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fundases
• Instagraminstagram.com/fundases_minutodedios
• TikToktiktok.com/@fundases_minutodedios

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 FUNDASES