Tyler Gage

Tyler Gage has devoted the past decade to collaborating with indigenous communities in the Amazon on initiatives focused on economic development and rainforest conservation. Starting his journey as a 19-year-old researching Amazonian languages, he co-founded and led RUNA Tea, transforming it into a significant social change organization in the Amazon region. This enterprise has supported over 20,000 indigenous people and has been recognized in Forbes' "30 Under 30 Entrepreneur" list. RUNA was also listed on Inc Magazine's 500 Fastest Growing Companies in America in 2015. Gage has been featured in Richard Branson's book "Screw Business as Usual", and in publications such as Fast Company, National Geographic, and Men's Fitness.

Initially recruited by Brown University to join their nationally ranked Division 1 soccer team, Gage developed a deep interest in Amazonian cultures. This led him to South America after his freshman year, where he spent several years immersing himself in Amazonian languages and cultures. During his time there, Gage observed the difficult decisions indigenous communities had to make between preserving their cultural and environmental heritage and meeting their economic needs in a globalized context. These experiences inspired him to explore sustainable economic solutions.

Gage's entrepreneurial vision was sparked by his discovery of guayusa tea, a unique Amazonian leaf with compelling health benefits. Seeing an opportunity to support indigenous farmers through sustainable agriculture, he and his friend Dan conceived a business plan to commercialize guayusa. Rejecting a Fulbright grant to pursue this venture, Gage moved to Ecuador. There, with investment from entities including The MacArthur Foundation and notable individual investors such as Channing Tatum, he worked to establish RUNA. The company has since grown substantially, purchasing over 1 million pounds of sustainably produced guayusa leaves from more than 3,000 farming families as of 2015.

In addition to his work with RUNA, which was acquired by VitaCoco in 2018, Gage has authored the book "Fully Alive: Using the Lessons of the Amazon to Live Your Mission in Business & Life." He currently serves as a Managing Director for Terrafertil, Latin America's largest natural foods company, and participates on the Advisory Council for Entrepreneurship at Brown University. Gage remains active in supporting other startups and is involved in numerous ventures that enhance the livelihoods of indigenous farmers in Ecuador. He resides in Bellingham, Washington, engaging in hobbies such as backpacking, riding his unicycle, and practicing yoga. His insights on creative problem-solving, innovation, and the balance between sustainability and business success are key themes in his public speaking engagements.