Incausa – Wii Basket by Yanomami – Large – #c

Incausa – Wii Basket by Yanomami – Large – #c

in•causa / Latin | 1. “In the cause of”

A social business experiment that uses the profits from its productions to enable purposeful commerce of indigenous artisanship and heritage.

Incausa partners with Indigenous cause initiatives developing non-profit trade posts and market placement. Using social entrepreneurship to reignite indigenous heritage, Incausa uplifts cultural values and builds sustainable opportunities.

“100% of the proceeds received from the sale of indigenous products are returned to the artisans makers. We continuously learn the effects generated by capital to their communities and it is with great respect and humbleness that we thread forward small steps at a time.”

Incausa is a unique social entrepreneurship venture founded by Vinicius Vieira de Vieira and Carolina Vieira, natives of Brazil. Established in 2012, Incausa operates both as a for-profit through the sales of its branded luxury goods—such as fine soaps, skin oils, and handcrafted wares—and as a not-for-profit, channeling the proceeds from wholesale sales of indigenous-made items back to the artisans. This innovative business model aims to support indigenous communities by connecting their products with the international market without charging the producers, thus promoting economic autonomy among indigenous artisans.

The company’s offerings include a wide range of products like incense, incense holders, signature bundles, soaps, skin oils, singing bowls, pottery, and gift sets. All non-indigenous items are sourced from fair-trade small producers experienced in crafting premium products in countries like Brazil, Peru, Nepal, India, and the USA. Meanwhile, indigenous artisan pieces come directly from the artisans in Brazil and Peru, with Incausa working with various indigenous ethnicities such as the Xavante, Yanomami, Mehinako, Yawalapiti, Kraho, Cinta Larga, and Kayapo.

Incausa began with a humble start, with Vinicius selling hand-bundled soaps and incense from a suitcase in Brooklyn and has grown into a company with a significant online presence and products available in stores worldwide.

The company embodies a profound commitment to social impact, aiming to give economic opportunities to indigenous people while ensuring the sustainability of their model through retail profits. Their business approach allows customers to become benefactors in this process, supporting a sustainable chain of commerce that benefits the indigenous communities involved.