IEB Chile

What IEB Chile does

IEB Chile (Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad) is a private non-profit scientific research corporation founded in 2006 in Chile, operating as a decentralized network of over 35 researchers drawn from 10+ Chilean universities and two private academic foundations. The institute's core mission is frontier biodiversity science and contribution to Chile's sustainable development, with programs spanning invasive species biology, climate change and conservation, ecosystem science, macroecology, paleoecology, and biological evolution. IEB operates four central Research Programs (biodiversity status and trends, ecosystem integrity, change factors, and conservation and human wellbeing) and four Integrative Programs: BIODATA (digital herbarium and biodiversity atlas), LTSER-Chile (nine long-term socio-ecological research sites with Eddy Covariance towers), BCA (Biodiversity Conservation in Agroecosystems), and LIB (Biological Invasions Laboratory).

The institute's technical infrastructure includes three biological field stations (Fray Jorge, Omora, Senda Darwin), the BIODATA platform integrated with Chile's Ministry of Environment SIMBIO system, and the Bioinvasiones open-access journal. IEB generates revenue primarily through ANID Basal Financing (2022-2032 designation), competitive research grants, and technology transfer contracts mainly with the wine industry (VCCB program with 20+ companies representing 60% of Chile's wine export volume). Its customer base spans the Chilean public sector (Ministry of Environment, ODEPA, SAG, CONAF), private productive sectors (wine, agriculture, forestry, mining, tourism), and the academic and general public. Science communication is a core pillar, with 45,000+ social media followers, 800+ newsletter subscribers, and 300+ annual media appearances, plus published books distributed through Chile's Ministry of Education and public libraries.

Name

IEB Chile

Legal name

Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad

Website

https://ieb-chile.cl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

IEB Chile is a non-profit scientific research institute founded in 2006 that operates as a decentralized network of 35+ researchers conducting biodiversity and ecosystem science across Chile. It serves the Chilean public sector, the wine industry, and agricultural sectors through technology transfer, research, and science communication programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ecological Research Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nature & Biodiversity Reporting (TNFD, natural capital) (EUAHAJAM), Portfolio & Multi-Site Environmental Risk Screening (Desktop / Rapid Risk Assessments) (EUAHAEAK), Natural Hazard & Climate Physical Risk Screening for Sites (Flood, Wildfire, Sea Level) (EUAHAEAM)

Keywords

• Biodiversity research
• Ecological research
• Ecosystem conservation
• Biological invasions
• Environmental science

Headquarters

HQ city

Santiago

HQ country

Chile

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Basal Funding (ANID): IEB is a non-profit corporation (Corporacion sin fines de lucro) primarily funded by Basal Financing from the Agencia Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo (ANID, formerly CONICYT). Since 2008, the institute receives Basal Funding through the PIA program of ANID. The current Basal Center IEB runs from 2022-2032.
2. Research Grants and Projects: IEB researchers secure competitive research grants from national and international funding agencies. Historically funded by the Iniciativa Cientifica Milenio (ICM) from 2006-2016.
3. Technology Transfer and Development Contracts: Collaborative agreements with private sector companies (e.g., wine industry, forestry, mining, agriculture) for ecological research, biodiversity conservation solutions, and nature-based solutions. The VCCB program is a flagship example working with over 20 wine companies.
4. Science Communication Products and Publications: Sale and distribution of books, field guides, illustrated papers, and educational materials. Books such as 'Ecologia, conocer la casa de todos' and 'Ecologia del agua' have been acquired by Chile's Ministry of Education and public libraries.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IEB Chile is a non-profit scientific research institute that conducts frontier research in biodiversity and ecology through four flagship programs: the Wine, Climate Change and Biodiversity (VCCB) program, the Biodiversity Conservation in Agroecosystems (BCA) program, the Biological Invasions Laboratory (LIB), and the LTSER Chile long-term socio-ecological research network. It transfers scientific knowledge to the public and private sectors, maintains proprietary biological collections and digital platforms (BIODATA, Digital Herbarium, Biodiversity Atlas), and disseminates science through the open-access Bioinvasiones journal, books, and training programs.

Product overview

IEB Chile is a non-profit ecological research institute organized as a network of distributed research programs. The core research infrastructure includes four central Research Programs (Estatus y tendencias de la biodiversidad, Integridad de los Ecosistemas, Factores de cambio de la biodiversidad, and Conservación y bienestar humano) and four Integrative Programs (BIODATA y Colecciones Biológicas, LTSER-Chile, BCA, and LIB). The product portfolio features digital platforms like the Digital Herbarium and Biodiversity Atlas for biodiversity data management, scientific publications including the Bioinvasiones journal, and educational offerings through courses, workshops, and books. The institute also operates technology transfer programs for public and private sectors, notably the VCCB wine program and BCA agricultural biodiversity conservation program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Programa Vino, Cambio Climático y Biodiversidad (VCCB): Wine, Climate Change and Biodiversity Program - an initiative that has promoted conservation of over 25,000 hectares of native vegetation associated with vineyards, with more than 20 wine companies as partners.
• Biodiversity Conservation in Agroecosystems (BCA)
• BIODATA
• Laboratorio de Invasiones Biológicas (LIB)
• LTSER Chile
• Bioinvasiones
• Ruta Nativa

Products and services

• VCCB Program (Vino, Cambio Climático y Biodiversidad) Flagship collaborative research and technology-transfer program studying the impacts of climate change and biodiversity on the Chilean wine industry, producing applied science for viticulture stakeholders.
• BCA Program (Biodiversidad Conservation in Agroecosystems) Research and technology-transfer program focused on conserving biodiversity within Chilean agricultural ecosystems, aimed at supporting sustainable agroindustry practices.
• LIB (Laboratorio de Invasiones Biológicas / Biological Invasions Laboratory) Research laboratory dedicated to studying biological invasions in Chile, generating monitoring data, methodologies, and policy-relevant science on invasive species.
• LTSER Chile Network (Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research) National network of long-term socio-ecological research sites instrumented with Eddy Covariance flux towers and micro-meteorological stations, providing continuous ecosystem monitoring data.
• BIODATA Biodiversity Database and Biological Collections Proprietary biodiversity information system and associated biological collections maintained by IEB Chile, aggregating species, ecosystem, and geo-referenced data for research and policy use.
• Digital Herbarium of Chile Standalone online digital herbarium portal hosted at herbariodigital.cl, providing access to digitized plant collections managed by IEB Chile.
• Bioinvasiones Journal Open-access scientific journal published by IEB Chile focused on biological invasions, providing a peer-reviewed venue for invasion biology research.
• Books and Editorial Publications Edited books and monographs published by IEB Chile, including 'Biodiversidad de Chile: Patrimonio y Desafíos' and other volumes on Chilean biodiversity and ecology.
• Technical Reports (Informes) Technical and policy reports produced by IEB Chile for public agencies and stakeholders, synthesizing research findings into actionable outputs.
• Courses and Workshops Training programs delivered by IEB Chile, including in-person and online courses and workshops on biodiversity, ecological monitoring, and related scientific topics.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 25,000 hectares of native vegetation conserved around vineyards through the VCCB program; over 31,000 hectares of sclerophyllous forest voluntarily protected by wine sector partners
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and important.

• Universidad de MagallanescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008IEB and Universidad de Magallanes jointly led the conception and implementation of the Cabo de Hornos Biosphere Reserve (CHBR), which served as the foundation for the recent award of a Basal Fund to the Centro Internacional Cabo de Hornos (CHIC), led by a member of IEB's Corporation.
• Wine Industry Partners (more than 20 companies)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008The Programa Vino, Cambio Climatico y Biodiversidad (VCCB) has more than 20 wine companies as partners, including Garcés Silva, Cono Sur, Santa Rita, Viñedos Emiliana, Concha y Toro, and Montes. These partners collectively export 60% of Chile's total wine volume. The program fosters conservation of over 25,000 hectares of native vegetation and has protected over 31,000 hectares of sclerophyllous forest. VCCB practices have been incorporated into the Vinos de Chile sustainability standard.
• ODEPA (Oficina de Estudios y Politicas Agrarias)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on agricultural and biodiversity policy. ODEPA is represented on IEB's National Advisory Board.
• SAG (Servicio Agricola y Ganadero)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on biological invasions and agricultural biodiversity management. SAG is represented on IEB's National Advisory Board.
• CONAF (Corporacion Nacional Forestal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on forest and biodiversity conservation. CONAF manages national protected areas and works with IEB on conservation planning.
• Vinos de ChilecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIEB's biodiversity conservation practices have been incorporated into the Vinos de Chile sustainability standard. The consortium represents Chile's wine industry and includes over 20 member companies.
• SOFOFA (Sociedad de Fomento Fabril)importantStrategic or Co-development PartnerIEB collaborates with SOFOFA on sustainability research and biodiversity in industrial sectors. SOFOFA's president Rosario Navarro serves on IEB's National Advisory Board.
• Clean Production Agreements (Acuerdos de Produccion Limpia) - Olive SectorimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerIEB's biodiversity conservation practices for agroecosystems have been incorporated into Clean Production Agreements for the Chilean olive sector, and into the national dairy sector sustainability standard.
• Ministerio del Medio Ambiente (MMA) ChilecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on national biodiversity policy. Daniela Manuschevich from MMA serves on IEB's National Advisory Board. IEB advises on conservation planning and the future Servicio de Biodiversidad y Areas Protegidas.
• Centro Internacional Cabo de Hornos (CHIC)importantStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Centro Internacional Cabo de Hornos received a Basal Fund award, with leadership from an IEB Corporation member. The CHBR that IEB helped create with Universidad de Magallanes was the foundation for this award.
• SIMBIO (Sistema de Informacion y Monitoreo de la Biodiversidad de Chile)coreTechnology or IntegrationIEB's BIODATA platform is connected to SIMBIO, Chile's Ministry of Environment biodiversity information system, enabling data integration and interoperability across national biodiversity databases.
• Herbario Digital Collaborating InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIODATA's Digital Herbarium project collaborates with multiple Chilean herbaria: CONC (Universidad de Concepcion), ULS (Universidad de La Serena), EIF (INIA), AGUCH (Universidad de Chile), and SQF (private). These curators support the digitization and standardization of plant collections.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): Global conservation organization combining field research, long-term site management, and policy advocacy. Comparable in integrating biodiversity science with field station operations and policy advisory roles.
• Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI): Internationally recognized tropical biodiversity and ecology research institute operating long-term field stations. Comparable in its combination of frontier research, long-term monitoring infrastructure, graduate training, and science communication mission.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC): Global conservation organization working on biodiversity science, ecosystem services, and conservation finance. Comparable in its science-to-policy and science-to-industry work, though more commercially oriented and geographically diversified than IEB.
• CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation): Australia's national science agency with deep ecology and biodiversity research programs, LTSER-style long-term monitoring sites, and government-funded science-to-policy and industry partnerships. Similar scale and institutional structure as IEB's ANID Basal Center designation.
• UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH): UK research institute operating long-term environmental monitoring sites (including LTER networks), conducting ecology and biodiversity research, and delivering science for government policy and commercial applications. Direct analog in long-term socio-ecological research network operations.

Direct peers

• National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS): US-based ecology research center focused on synthesis science using existing ecological datasets. Comparable as a distributed network model that aggregates ecological data and produces high-impact publications for policy and science audiences.
• Centro Internacional Cabo de Hornos (CHIC): New ANID Basal Center in Chile's sub-Antarctic region, founded by an IEB Corporation member following IEB's Cabo de Hornos Biosphere Reserve work. Operates as a sister ecosystem research institute with similar scientific, training, and policy advisory missions.
• Instituto Alexander von Humboldt (IAvH): Colombia's biodiversity research institute with similar public funding model, biodiversity inventory and monitoring programs, policy advisory mandate, and Science Communication focus. Most direct Latin American peer in mission and structure.
• Iniciativa Científica Milenio (ICM): Chilean scientific institute network that originally housed IEB under the Milenio program (2006-2016). Direct institutional comparator in mission, Chilean funding structure, and distributed university research network model.

Emerging players

• ECOMETSA (Ecosystem Services and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in Central America): Regional biodiversity research and ecosystem services initiatives in Latin America. Comparable in combining long-term socio-ecological research with nature-based solutions development for productive sectors.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IEBChile
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQzQ9cmwP62Tyj2ztlQyMgw
• Facebookfacebook.com/IEBChile
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ieb-chile
• Instagraminstagram.com/IEBChile

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IEB Chile