Their organization, Runa, is a social enterprise that creates livelihoods for indigenous farmers in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Runa sources a native Amazonian tree leaf called guayusa (pronounced “gwhy-you-sa”) from indigenous farmers, who have brewed it like tea for thousands of years. Guayusa naturally has more caffeine than any tea product and more antioxidants on the ORAC scale than leading green tea products, in addition to a distinctly smooth and clean taste. Runa’s guayusa is 100% USDA Organic and soon, Fair Trade certified.
Runa recently received a $500,000 equity investment from the Build Ecuador Fund (CreEcuador) a socially responsible investment fund created by Ecuador’s Ministry of Production.
Runa was selected to receive this prestigious investment out of hundreds of possible candidates – primarily companies that support local Ecuadorian producers and have shown rapid growth. The start-up was initially chosen as one of 10 finalists out of a pool of 600, and went through a rigorous diligence process in 2010. In the end, Runa was the first company to receive an investment. The Build Ecuador Fund will assume a minority shareholder position in Runatarpuna, with Runa LLC retaining the majority.
“We’re honored that the government has recognized the positive impact we’re having on hundred of indigenous farmers’ lives, and the strength of our business and products. With the Ministry of Production we now have a partner who shares our commitment to growing Ecuador’s green economy, and positioning guayusa as a new, flagship Ecuadorian export,” says Tyler.
The Build Ecuador Fund plans to cash out of its investment in Runa in roughly 6 years, in order to use its earnings to make additional investments in sustainable businesses. However, rather than selling shares to a private investor, the Fund’s vision is to sell shares to Runa’s employees and the farmers Runa supports. Runa will work to design programs for farmers and employees to buy shares back from the government, and thereby give farmers more direct investment in Runa’s success.
Runa already supports over 1,000 indigenous farming families, has planted more than 100,000 trees, and employs over 30 people in one of Ecuador’s poorest regions.
These new funds will allow Runa to plant over 500,000 more trees in the coming years and build a new sustainable factory to process guayusa in Ecuador.
Dan & Tyler receiving the Hitachi Foundation’s Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneur Award
Tyler & Dan at Expo West 2011.
