AmazonCure Raises USD$ 1.5M led by Axcell, advancing in Biotech and Biocosmetic

AmazonCure, an Amapá-based startup founded in early 2024 by entrepreneur Frank Portela and scientist Jose Carlos Tavares, is pioneering the intersection of science and business to bring Amazon bioactives to the global market.

With a recent investment of R$ 7.9 million led by Axcell under the Bioeconomy Priority Program coordinated by Idesam, the company is preparing to launch pharmaceutical and cosmetic products with strong commercial and social impact.

Building a New Amazon-Based Innovation Hub

The fresh capital will fund the creation of AmazonCure’s own laboratory, expected to be ready by the end of the year, and support two flagship studies. One project focuses on developing a cream for diabetic ulcers, based on more than 30 years of research by co-founder Tavares. This treatment aims to be distributed via Brazil’s public health system (SUS) under a B2G model.

The second study is centered on Jambu, a native Amazonian plant, to create a cream for premature ejaculation. Using a patented nanotechnology process, the company plans to bring this B2C product to market within 15 months.

According to Portela, “the MVP for both products should be ready in the first half of the year, allowing us to scale in the second semester.”

From Bootstrapping to International Clients

Before securing the latest funding, AmazonCure was bootstrapped with R$ 800,000 invested in business structure and early-stage studies. The founding team has since expanded to include COO Gibram Amanajas and CMO Thalisson Taglialegna.

Today, the startup generates 95% of its revenue from consultancy services, delivering either complete products or partial R&D for third-party companies, both national and international. With a current portfolio of 15 clients, AmazonCure has established itself as a trusted partner in bioactive-based product development.

Terra Preta: A Biocosmetic Brand Inspired by Amazon Ancestry

In addition to partnerships, AmazonCure is building its own product lines. Its first structured brand, Terra Preta, features biocosmetics inspired by the fertile dark soil found in the Amazon region. The line includes perfumes, illuminating masks, facial sticks, and body moisturizers made with copaíba and murumuru extracts.

“We want to honor this ancestral knowledge through biocosmetics, while ensuring that part of the revenue supports communities in southern Pará,” said Portela.

The Terra Preta brand will launch during COP30, with sales through the company’s own e-commerce platform.

Growth Plans and Future Outlook

Currently operating with 35 employees, AmazonCure expects to double its team with the new funding. The company projects sixfold revenue growth in the coming year, supported by the completion of its lab and expansion of product lines.

Looking ahead, the founders are planning a new fundraising round in 2026 to build a nanotechnology platform that can patent, scale, and globalize Amazon bioactive applications.

“We are structuring Amazon technologies so they can be used worldwide”, Portela emphasized.

With its new R$7.9 million funding round, AmazonCure is set to scale its research and product development, combining biotechnology, nanotechnology, and the rich bioactive resources of the Amazon. As the startup prepares to launch both health and cosmetic solutions, it reinforces its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and giving back to local communities.