About
OUR IMPACT
Impact is at our core: we work with businesses that have a proven social and environmental mission, rigorously measuring their impact metrics.
Since we started in 2024:
€ 35.142
mobilized
2
supported entrepreneurs
2
essential assets
for their business
ENTREPRENEURS SUPPORTED
ELISIO NUNES AND ECOBLASA
With a degree in Agronomy, Elísio Nunes wanted to use his knowledge to make a difference in his country. In 2016, with limited resources but strong determination, he used his savings to create eco-friendly charcoal from coconut shells.
In the backyard of his home, he built the production centre for ECOBLASA — his multiplying business. With creativity and resilience, Elísio turned a simple idea into an innovative and sustainable project, proving that it is possible to make a difference starting with very little.
ECOBLASA is proud to produce and market a 100% eco-friendly charcoal made from coconut shells and organic waste. With the goal of protecting the environment and combating deforestation, the brand transforms an abundant agricultural waste in São Tomé — the coconut shell — into an innovative and sustainable solution.
THE BUSINESS:
This semi-industrial kiln makes it possible to carbonise other types of agricultural waste — such as sugarcane straw, seed husks, and elephant grass — which are abundant on the island of São Tomé but could not be reused with Ecoblasa’s current machinery.
THE OBJECTIVE:
Scale production to 5 tonnes of charcoal per month and drastically reduce the unit cost of each charcoal bag by 25%!
EXPECTED RESULTS:
HENOS MARTINS AND BIO BAGS PLUS
With a degree in Economics, Henos Martins has always believed in the potential of his country’s natural resources. In 2022, with innovative vision and determination, he founded Bio Bags Plus — a startup that gives new life to banana tree trunks, transforming them into paper pulp, eco-friendly packaging, and handcrafted products.
With creativity and a strong social commitment, Henos built a multiplying business that promotes climate justice and women’s empowerment in São Tomé and Príncipe. Through circular economy practices, the company reduces environmental pollution and creates economic opportunities for local communities — proving that innovation and impact can go hand in hand.
Bio Bags Plus is an innovative company that transforms discarded banana tree trunks into biodegradable packaging and eco-friendly handcrafted products. The extracted fibre is used to produce handmade paper, bags, packaging bags, and even high-quality fabrics — promoting sustainability and resource reuse.
THE BUSINESS:
Industrialise Bio Bags Plus’ production line, increasing the capacity to extract banana tree pulp by six times compared to the current artisanal production.
THE OBJECTIVE:
Hire at least one woman from the community, increase banana pulp production by 6x, and accelerate the paper pulp production process.
EXPECTED RESULTS:
OUR THEORY OF CHANGE
Entrepreneurs are our engine of change.
They are the ones who create a multiplier effect of wealth and opportunities in the communities of São Tomé and Príncipe.
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PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Entrepreneurs face several barriers in accessing credit. Low financial literacy in the communities of São Tomé and Príncipe. Financial instruments that do not match the realities of local entrepreneurs.
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INPUTS
Provide financial instruments tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs. Create a dedicated microcredit facility for entrepreneurs. Equip entrepreneurs to scale their businesses. Build entrepreneurs’ financial literacy. Support São Tomé’s banking system in developing appropriate financial instruments.
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OUTPUTS
Entrepreneurs gain access to new forms of self-financing. Entrepreneurs feel equipped to scale their businesses. Entrepreneurs are empowered with financial literacy. The traditional banking system adapts its financial instruments to the needs of entrepreneurs.
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EFFECTS
Increased financial inclusion for entrepreneurs living in poverty. Promotion of innovation within São Tomé and Príncipe’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Greater resilience of entrepreneurs’ businesses. Creation of new jobs in local communities in São Tomé and Príncipe. Entrepreneurs empowered to make informed decisions about financing their businesses. Improved risk management capacity among entrepreneurs. Development of new local financial instruments for entrepreneurs.
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IMPACT
Multiplier effect of wealth creation in the communities where entrepreneurs operate. Development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in São Tomé and Príncipe.
Our impact contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
1.1 Eradicate Extreme Poverty
By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day.
