The Amazon rainforest is home to extraordinary biological diversity, containing thousands of plants that have nourished Indigenous communities for generations. For entrepreneur Francisco Echeverría, this abundance is a source of innovation, opportunity, and hope. As the founder of Sumak Amazonian Cosmetics, Francisco has built a company that transforms Amazonian ingredients into high-quality natural skincare products. Each product is rooted in partnerships with Indigenous communities and made with fair collaboration and long-term sustainability in mind. In doing so, the company is helping redefine what economic development can look like in the Amazon, where innovation, community wellbeing, and forest conservation are interconnected outcomes.
The journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Francisco and his team acquired a small cosmetics company whose products they had long admired. Rather than simply continuing the business, they set out to reinvent it with sustainability at its core. Alongside company president Tamara Charpentier, Francisco pursued graduate studies in Dermopharmacy and Cosmetics while Tamara specialized in Corporate Social Responsibility, combining scientific expertise with a commitment to responsible business. Living in the Amazon inspired them to replace synthetic ingredients with locally sourced botanicals and to draw upon the ancestral knowledge of Indigenous communities to develop products rooted in both nature and tradition.
Today, Sumak partners with 58 families across the provinces of Napo and Pastaza, sourcing ingredients that generate income for local communities while encouraging the conservation of standing forests. The company also integrates sustainability into every aspect of its operations, from biodegradable packaging and natural cultivation methods to reducing waste and eliminating animal testing. Every decision reflects a simple belief: caring for people and caring for the planet should go hand in hand.
Like many entrepreneurs, Francisco faced the challenge of turning a promising idea into a sustainable business. That next stage of growth came through PachaEmprende, Fundación Pachamama's entrepreneurship incubator designed to strengthen bioeconomy ventures across the Ecuadorian Amazon. Through mentorship, business training, technical assistance, and a network of fellow entrepreneurs, the program helped Sumak strengthen its business model, professionalize its operations, and prepare for long-term growth. Francisco also gained access to advanced training through the Kopiloto School of Entrepreneurs, further strengthening the company's vision.
As Sumak continued to grow, so did its recognition. The company was named one of Ecuador's Top 15 Ventures through the Misión Emprende 593 competition and received recognition at the Ekos Entrepreneurial Pitch Competition for its commitment to sustainability and innovation. Beyond leading the company, Francisco now mentors emerging entrepreneurs, sharing his experience and helping cultivate a new generation of businesses committed to positive social and environmental impact.
Sumak's story is part of a larger movement taking root across the Amazon—one that demonstrates forests are worth more alive than destroyed. By creating products that celebrate the region's biodiversity while strengthening local livelihoods, the company offers a compelling model for a regenerative economy where conservation and economic opportunity grow together.
