Khamai Foundation

What Khamai Foundation does

Khamai Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization founded in 2022 and headquartered in Quito, Ecuador. The foundation's primary function is biodiversity research and habitat protection, operationalized through direct ownership and management of two private nature reserves: the Arlequín Reserve in the Mindo cloud forest and the Pitalala Reserve in the Amazon basin. The organization conducts Neotropical herpetological research, and its founder Alejandro Arteaga is credited with involvement in the discovery of 42 new species, providing scientific output that underpins its credibility with international conservation funders.

The foundation's core "products" are research outputs (peer-reviewed species descriptions), reserve stewardship services (habitat protection), and paid BioBlitz biodiversity expeditions priced at approximately $3,980 per participant. The underlying operational model combines field science, land conservation, and a participant-funded expedition program, rather than any technology platform or scalable digital product.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across three streams: individual donations, conservation grants from international funders (including IUCN NL, Ceiba Foundation, and the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund), and BioBlitz expedition fees. The organization serves a constituency of conservation donors, grant-making institutions, herpetology research peers, and expedition participants. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the small team of 1-10 employees constrains operational scale.

Name

Khamai Foundation

Legal name

Khamai Foundation

Website

https://khamai.bio

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Khamai Foundation is a Quito-based 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2022 that conducts Neotropical herpetological research and operates two private reserves in Ecuador (Arlequín in Mindo cloud forest, Pitalala in Amazon), funded by donations, conservation grants, and paid BioBlitz expeditions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biodiversity Conservation

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Conservation & Research Lodges (Citizen Science, Field Stations with Guests) (THAAAHAJ)

Keywords

• Biodiversity conservation
• Habitat protection reserves
• Species discovery research
• Conservation funding programs
• Field research expeditions

Headquarters

HQ city

Quito

HQ country

Ecuador

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The foundation raises funds through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising campaigns for specific projects like Pitalala Reserve expansion and Mindo Toad protection. Donation amounts vary from small individual contributions to larger institutional gifts.
2. BioBlitz Participation Fees: Participants pay a donation of $3,980 for a 9-night BioBlitz expedition, which includes accommodation, meals, transfers, field equipment, and reserve access. This provides both revenue and volunteer labor for biodiversity surveys.
3. Conservation Grants: The foundation receives grants from conservation organizations including Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, Quick Response Fund for Nature, Ceiba Foundation, World Rainforest Fund, and others for specific conservation projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Khamai Foundation protects key biodiversity areas in Ecuador through the operation of two nature reserves (Arlequín Reserve in Mindo cloud forest and Pitalala Reserve in the Amazon), conducts scientific species discovery research that has resulted in 42 new species described to science, and runs participatory BioBlitz field research expeditions for supporters. The foundation raises funds through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, conservation grants, and paid BioBlitz participation to support rapid-response conservation interventions against threats such as open-pit gold mining and amphibian extinction.

Product overview

Khamai Foundation operates as a conservation nonprofit focused on protecting biodiversity in Ecuador through reserve creation, species discovery research, and habitat protection. The organization's core offerings consist of two nature reserves (Arlequín Reserve protecting cloud forest habitat for the Mindo Harlequin Toad, and Pitalala Reserve protecting Amazon rainforest from gold mining), a BioBlitz participatory research expedition program, and ongoing scientific research resulting in new species discoveries published in peer-reviewed journals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Arlequín Reserve A 33-hectare (expanded to 90 of 220-hectare goal) cloud forest sanctuary in Ecuador's Mindo region, protecting at least 14 globally threatened amphibians and reptiles, including the only known surviving population of the critically endangered Mindo Harlequin Toad (Atelopus mindoensis).
• Pitalala Reserve An Amazon rainforest reserve in Ecuador's Napo province, part of a 2,200-hectare conservation goal to protect critical habitat from illegal gold mining operations. Currently 247 hectares protected (11% of goal). Known for exceptionally high biodiversity including the newly discovered Spotted Rocket Frog (Hyloxalus maculosus) population.
• BioBlitz Program An organized 9-night field research expedition where scientists, volunteers, and supporters document biodiversity species at Pitalala and Arlequín reserves. Includes camera traps, pitfall traps, light traps, mist nets, diurnal and nocturnal surveys, and scientific photography. Participation requires a $3,980 donation covering accommodation, meals, transfers, field equipment, and reserve access.

Quantifiable outcome

• 247 hectares protected of 2,200-hectare goal at Pitalala Reserve (11%)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• IUCN NLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Union for Conservation of Nature Netherlands chapter, supporting Khamai Foundation's conservation work in Ecuador.
• Ceiba FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported September 2024 monitoring expeditions that resulted in discovery of Soli-Tyrone, the Mindo Harlequin Toad individual found after five years.
• Liberty UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Liberty University researchers on discovery of Ninia guytudori, a new species of coffee snake in Ecuador's cloud forests.
• MinifundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded by Casey Klebba, honored in naming of Bothriechis klebbaei eyelash viper, supporting discovery and conservation of new species.
• EkominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partner listed among Khamai Foundation supporters.
• Tropical HerpingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded by Alejandro Arteaga in 2009, specializing in reptile and amphibian photography and research in Ecuador.
• ExSitu ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Jose Vieira, creates posters on arthropods, fish, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles for conservation education.
• Nature and Culture InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNamed Dipsas welborni snail-eating snake in honor of their board member David Welborn; manages Maycu Reserve where species was discovered.
• Re:wildmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeonardo DiCaprio-founded conservation organization that, with Sabin family, supports field research on threatened reptiles through grants.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: Global conservation organization with a long-running land-purchase and reserve-management model, including Latin America programs. Comparable reserve-creation and habitat-protection approach but at vastly greater scale and capitalization.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): One of the world's largest conservation organizations with active programs in the Andes-Amazon and global species protection initiatives (including harlequin toads via WWF's Species program). Provides scale comparison for Khamai's narrower Ecuador focus.
• Conservation International: Large global conservation NGO operating across biodiversity hotspots with both direct programs and grantmaking to local partners. Khamai's approach to protecting key biodiversity areas in Ecuador aligns with CI's global hotspot strategy.
• Re:wild: Global species and habitat conservation organization (founded by Leonardo DiCaprio and others) that funds and coordinates biodiversity protection projects worldwide. Khamai is a current Re:wild partner; both focus on protecting key biodiversity areas and rediscovering 'lost' species.

Direct peers

• Rainforest Trust: International nonprofit that purchases and protects threatened rainforest habitat through partnerships with local organizations. Khamai's Pitalala land-purchase model mirrors Rainforest Trust's core mechanism, and they often co-fund projects of this type in the Neotropics.
• EcoMinga Foundation: Ecuadorian conservation nonprofit that purchases and manages private cloud forest and foothill reserves to protect threatened species and habitats. Highly comparable to Khamai: same country, same reserve-purchase-plus-biodiversity-survey model, similar small-team operating structure.
• Fundación Jocotoco: Ecuadorian NGO that owns and manages a network of nature reserves protecting endangered species, particularly birds and amphibians. Closely matches Khamai's reserve-ownership model, Ecuadorian geographic focus, and species-driven fundraising approach.
• Nature and Culture International: Latin America-focused conservation nonprofit that purchases and manages reserves protecting biodiversity and watersheds, including Ecuador. Already a Khamai partner (Dipsas welborni species naming), with the same reserve-ownership-plus-local-stewardship model.

Emerging players

• Tropical Herping: Ecuador-based herpetology research and photographic expedition company co-founded by Alejandro Arteaga in 2009. Sister organization to Khamai, sharing the same founder and overlapping field team; focuses specifically on reptile and amphibian discovery and photography in Ecuador.

Regional players

• Andes Amazon Fund: Regional conservation funder focused on protecting the Andes-Amazon region, including Ecuador, through grants to local organizations. Khamai fits the profile of Andes Amazon Fund's typical local partner / grantee in this geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/alearteagath
• Instagraminstagram.com/alejandroarteagath
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/khamai-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Khamai Foundation