In response to the dire environmental situation at Lake Atitlan, AIDG made a special investment in Grupo Proamba, a GuateVerde semi-finalist team whose business model could reduce several types of pollutants harming the lake ecosystem. Lake Atitlan, one of the most important tourist destinations in Guatemala, suffered a harmful cyanobacterial bloom in the second half of 2009. The blue-green algae spread across the surface of the lake covering it in a thick green scum. Local news reports cite sewage, agricultural runoff, and erosion related to deforestation as causes of the bloom.

As native residents of Solola, Guatemala, the founders of Grupo Proamba decided to tackle their hometown’s ever growing waste issue. Using their combined business and agricultural academic backgrounds, Grupo Proamba’s mission is to be the region's leading provider of organic fertilizer. Working with the local government, the enterprise collects organic waste to produce a nutrient-rich, pesticide-free fertilizer using natural composting and vermicomposting techniques. Their product will allow local farmers to purchase high quality, affordable organic fertilizer while dramatically reducing environmental pollution related to use of chemical fertilizer.

AIDG Interviews the Founders of Grupo Proamba