Madrid (ots/PRNewswire) – The start-up competition for women social entrepreneurs making a positive impact in Latin America awarded the prize, which carries individual grants of up to $100,000, to Thamires Pontes (Brazil), Valentina Agudelo (Colombia), Annie Rosas (Mexico) and Leydi Cruz (Bolivia).
The Bicester Collection, a family of 12 distinctive shopping destinations in Europe, China and soon the United States, in collaboration with Tecnológico de Monterrey and Ashoka Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, announced the winners of the Unlock Her Future Prize 2024 LATAM Edition during an awards ceremony in the Galería de Cristal in Madrid.
The Unlock Her Future Prize, which will be awarded for the first time in the MENA region in 2023, is a cornerstone of The Bicester Collection’s DO GOOD philanthropic program, which aims to empower women and children around the world. With the support of key regional partners Tecnológico de Monterrey and Ashoka Mexico, Central America and Caribbean, the Unlock Her Future Prize 2024 will connect women social entrepreneurs across Latin America – regardless of their age – with inspiring early-stage start-up ideas (less than three years of operation). ) that have positive social, cultural or environmental impacts and are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
From a pool of 954 outstanding talents who embody the entrepreneurial drive of the LATAM region, an international selection committee selected eight finalists who completed an intensive skills accelerator at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico City before traveling to Sao Paulo to present their start-ups to a top-class jury. On the panel were Elena Foguet, Business Director at The Bicester Collection; Maria-Noel Vaeza, regional director for the Americas and the Caribbean at UN Women; Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Chief Strategy Officer and CEO Orient Express at Accor SA; Mireya Cisneros, philanthropist and businesswoman; Paola Rojas, journalist and television presenter; and Luiza Helena Trajano, CEO of the magazine Luiza.
At the awards ceremony at the glittering Galería de Cristal in Madrid, Paola Rojas ( ), the evening’s master of ceremonies and judge, announced the winners of the Unlock Her Future Prize 2024 LATAM Edition, honoring the extraordinary talent of
Thamires Pontes, Brasilien PHYCOLABS: Develops products and technologies that harness the potential of algae as an alternative to replacing petrochemicals.
Valentina Agudelo, Kolumbien SALVA HEALTH: Develops wearable devices with artificial intelligence to analyze breast tissue to support early detection of breast cancer and make it accessible to women in remote areas.
Although there are three prizes to be awarded, the jury, inspired by the talent and innovation of the finalists, unanimously decided to split the third prize between two impressive candidates. This prize, sponsored by Grupo Financiro Banorte, is shared by:
Annie Rosas, Mexico BLUEKALI: A social enterprise that uses technology to clean oceans and rivers, overcome the challenges of collecting recycled plant material, and create jobs for scavengers.
Leydi Cruz, Bolivia AGRIMET: Supports the climate resilience of smallholder farmers through a dedicated data subscription and advisory service that enables them to improve their agricultural irrigation management practices and achieve higher yields.
Each winner will receive a grant of up to $100,000, accompanied by a program of expert mentorship and ongoing training to advance their entrepreneurial skills and accelerate the successful launch and growth of their start-up companies. The program is presented with the generous support of Grupo Financiero Banorte and Creel, García-Cuellar, Aiza y Enriquez and UN Women.
In addition, the 17-year-old Kristal de Valle aus Guatemala was honored as “Unlock Her Future Prize Young Game Changer” for her project MINDVERSE, which aims to empower students to discover and develop their full potential through individual education. Supported by a virtual avatar tutor powered by artificial intelligence, it aims to provide 24/7 access to education outside of the classroom, taking into account the different abilities and needs of students.
Chantal Khoueiry, Chief Culture Officer at The Bicester Collection, commented: “Supporting these visionary women is about more than just celebrating their individual successes; it’s about fostering ecosystems of innovation and resilience that can transform societies. Today we celebrate the remarkable achievements of the four Latin American women who won the Unlock Her Future Prize 2024 LATAM Edition They are architects of a better future and inspire us all with their unique visions for sustainable, equitable and inclusive growth.
The winners were joined by the four other finalists of the Unlock Her Future Prize 2024 LATAM Edition:
Andrea Nunes, Venezuela SIMPLE LITTLE WATER: Providing drinking water to Latin American communities through solar wastewater treatment systems, promoting health, local development and environmental protection.
Florencia Sosa, Argentina ANDINA: Supports women who work with vicuña wool in the Puna de Catamarca, combining ancient craft techniques with modern technology. Each piece tells a story enhanced by Web 3.0, a triple impact enterprise that reinvests profits into community education.
Gabriela de Sá, Brasilien COLORAR: A mobile application to support women in Brazil and Latin America facing domestic violence, offering comprehensive help, from reporting to training to financial independence.
Shirley Matos, Panama INFONIMADOS: Transforms education into an entertaining experience by creating animated content for people of all ages, bridging the gap between learning and entertainment.
To honor the achievements of all these remarkable women, the star-studded awards ceremony in Madrid featured a keynote address by Maria-Noel Vaeza, Regional Director for the Americas and the Caribbean at UN Women, a dance performance by the finalists Spain’s Got Talent Lola’s Girls to celebrate the cultural richness of Madrid, a reading by Mexican poet Maria Milo and the European debut of 19-year-old Mexican singer Lucerito Mijares.
The Bicester Collection, a global initiative that celebrates a different geographical region each year, has announced that the Unlock Her Future Prize will travel to South Asia in 2025…
For more information about the price, see UnlockHerFuturePrize.com
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About The Bicester Collection
The Bicester Collection is a family of 12 distinctive shopping destinations across Europe, China and soon the US that deliver exceptional experiences while delivering remarkable value. Created and operated by Value Retail, the Collection brings the world’s most discerning guests together with the world’s most renowned brands – often for the first time – on a journey of discovery. The villages are located near some of Europe and China’s most famous cities: London, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid, Dublin, Brussels, Munich, Frankfurt, Shanghai, Suzhou and, from September 2024, New York. Home to more than 1,300 boutiques in total, The Bicester Collection offers guests an ever-changing selection of fashion and lifestyle brands, world-famous restaurants, exciting pop-ups and imaginative art installations throughout the year. For more than a quarter of a century since its founding, the Bicester Collection has been committed to improving the lives of others – from the communities it serves, to its guests and brand partners, to its employees. Through its DO GOOD program, The Bicester Collection aims to drive sustainable social change in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The focus is on opening up future prospects for women and children, regardless of where they are born. Discover more at TheBicesterCollection.com
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