What happens when entrepreneurship becomes a vehicle for preserving culture, strengthening communities, and protecting the Amazon?

For Kichwa entrepreneur Isela Aldas, the answer is Raíces del Napo.

Born and raised in Ecuador's Napo Province with roots in the Indigenous community of Mariposa, Isela founded Raíces del Napo with a simple but powerful vision: to share the traditions, culture, and flavors of the Ecuadorian Amazon with the world.

At the center of that vision is macambo, an ancestral Amazonian food that has nourished Indigenous communities for generations. A close relative of cacao, macambo is rich in fiber, protein, and contains theobromine—the naturally occurring compound in dark chocolate known for its gentle, energizing effect on the body and mind. However, macambo remains largely unknown outside the Amazon.

Through Raíces del Napo, Isela is working to change that.

Today, her business purchases macambo and other Amazonian products from approximately 15 local producers and supports four Indigenous communities. By creating reliable market opportunities and paying fair prices, the enterprise helps strengthen local livelihoods while demonstrating the economic value of standing forests.

For Isela, entrepreneurship is about much more than selling products. It is also about representation.

As a Kichwa woman entrepreneur, she regularly participates in fairs, exhibitions, and business events across Ecuador, proudly sharing the story of her culture and introducing new audiences to the richness of Amazonian foods and Indigenous knowledge.

One of her greatest challenges has been building awareness around macambo. Many consumers encounter the product for the first time through her work. Yet once they learn about its nutritional value, distinctive flavor, and cultural significance, they quickly recognize its potential.

As demand began to grow, Isela knew the business needed additional support to scale sustainably.

That support came through PachaEmprende, an entrepreneurship incubator led by Fundación Pachamama through the Regional Bioeconomy Hub, with support from BID Lab and the French Development Agency.

Through the program, Isela received business mentorship, technical assistance, and financial support designed to help Amazonian entrepreneurs strengthen and grow their ventures.

The support enabled Raíces del Napo to obtain Chakra certification, an important recognition of products that originate from sustainable Indigenous agroforestry systems. The company also developed new packaging and branding that opened the door to more competitive markets and premium retail opportunities.

Looking ahead, Isela dreams of seeing Raíces del Napo products on the shelves of Ecuador's largest supermarkets and eventually reaching international markets in Europe and the United States.

But her vision extends beyond business growth.

She hopes her journey will inspire young people and Indigenous communities throughout the Amazon to recognize the value of their traditions, cultures, and territories. By transforming ancestral knowledge into economic opportunity, Isela is demonstrating that protecting cultural heritage and creating sustainable livelihoods can go hand in hand.