The start-up competition for women social
entrepreneurs empowering positive impact in Latin America has awarded the prize to
Thamires Pontes (Brazil),
Valentina Agudelo (Colombia), Annie
Rosas (Mexico) and
Leydi Cruz (Bolivia), which includes individual grants of
up to US$100,000.
MADRID, June 18,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bicester Collection, a
family of 12 distinctive shopping destinations across Europe, China and soon the US, in
partnership 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 a prize-giving ceremony
in Madrid's Galería de
Cristal.
The Unlock Her Future Prize, which launched its first edition in
the MENA region in 2023, is a cornerstone of The Bicester
Collection's philanthropic programme, DO GOOD, unified by the
shared mission to empower women and children across the globe. With
the support of key regional partners, Tecnológico de Monterrey and Ashoka Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, the 2024 edition of the Unlock Her
Future Prize identifies and supports women social entrepreneurs
across Latin America – regardless
of age – who possess inspiring, early-stage start-up ideas
(less than three years in operation) that drive positive social,
cultural or environmental impact, aligned with the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals.
From an outstanding talent pool of 954 applicants embodying the
entrepreneurial drive of the LATAM region, an International
Selection Committee identified eight finalists who embarked on an
intensive skills accelerator with Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico
City before travelling to Sao
Paulo to pitch their start-ups to a panel of distinguished
judges. The panel included Elena
Foguet, Business Director at The Bicester Collection;
Maria-Noel Vaeza, Regional Director
for the Americas and Caribbean at
UN Women; Gilda Perez-Alvarado,
Chief Strategy Officer and CEO Orient Express at Accor S.A;
Mireya Cisneros, Philanthropist and
Businesswoman; Paola Rojas,
journalist and television news anchor; and Luiza Helena Trajano, Chair of the Board at
Magazine Luiza.
At the prize-giving ceremony in Madrid's glistening Galería de Cristal,
Paola Rojas – the evening's
Master of Ceremonies and Prize judge – announced the winners
of the Unlock Her Future Prize 2024 LATAM Edition, recognising the
exceptional talent of:
Thamires Pontes, Brazil
PHYCOLABS:
Develops products and technologies, harnessing the potential of
seaweed as an alternative to replace petrochemical
materials.
Valentina Agudelo,
Colombia
SALVA
HEALTH: Develops portable devices with AI to analyse breast tissue,
helping detect breast cancer early and making it accessible to
women in remote areas.
While there are three prizes on offer, the judges, inspired by
the talent and innovation displayed by the finalists, unanimously
agreed to split the third prize between two impressive candidates.
This prize, which is sponsored by Grupo Financiro Banorte, will be
shared by:
Annie Rosas,
Mexico
BLUEKALI: A social enterprise utilising
technology to clean oceans and rivers, addressing challenges in
recycling plant material collection and uplifting scavenger
jobs.
Leydi Cruz, Bolivia
AGRIMET: Aids climate
resilience for small farmers through a specialised data
subscription and consultancy service, enabling them to improve
their agricultural practices in irrigation management and generate
higher yields.
Each winner will receive a grant of up to US US$100,000, accompanied by a programme of expert
mentorship and ongoing education to nurture their entrepreneurial
skills and accelerate the successful launch and growth of their
start-up ventures. The programme is presented with the generous
support of Grupo Financiero Banorte and Creel, García-Cuellar, Aiza y Enriquez and UN Women.
Additionally, Kristal de
Valle, 17 from Guatemala, was recognised as the Unlock
Her Future Prize Young Game Changer for MINDVERSE, her mission to
empower students to discover and develop their full potential
through personalised education. Supported by a virtual avatar tutor
powered by artificial intelligence, it aims to offer 24/7 access to
education beyond the classroom and embrace the diverse skills and
needs of students.
Chantal Khoueiry, Chief Culture
Officer at The Bicester Collection, commented: "Empowering these
visionary women is about more than 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 have
won the Unlock Her Future Prize 2024 LATAM Edition. They are
architects of a brighter future, inspiring us all with their unique
visions for sustainable, equitable and inclusive growth."
The winners were joined by the additional four finalists of the
Unlock Her Future Prize 2024 LATAM Edition:
Andrea Nunes, Venezuela
EASY CLEAN WATER:
Provides drinking water to Latin American communities through solar
purification systems, promoting health, local development and
environmental preservation.
Florencia Sosa,
Argentina
ANDINA:
Empowers women who work with vicuña wool in the Puna de
Catamarca, combining ancient craft techniques with modern
technology. Each piece tells a story, enhanced through Web 3.0, a
triple-impact enterprise that reinvests profits in community
training.
Gabriela de Sá, Brazil
COLORAR: A mobile
application supporting women in Brazil and Latin
America facing domestic violence, offering comprehensive
assistance from reporting to education, to achieving financial
independence.
Shirley Matos, Panama
INFONIMADOS:
Transforms education into an entertaining experience through the
creation of animated content for people of all ages, bridging the
gap between learning and entertainment.
In honour of the achievements of all of these remarkable women,
the star-studded prize-giving ceremony in Madrid featured a keynote address from Unlock
Her Future Prize judge Maria-Noel
Vaeza, Regional Director for the Americas and Caribbean at UN Women, a dance performance by
Spain's Got Talent
finalists, Lola's Girls, in celebration of the cultural richness of
Madrid, a reading by Mexican poet
Maria Milo, and the European debut
of 19-year-old Mexican singer, Lucerito
Mijares.
A global initiative celebrating a different geographical region
each year, The Bicester Collection has announced that, in 2025, the
Unlock Her Future Prize will travel to South Asia...
To learn more about the prize, visit
UnlockHerFuturePrize.com
@DoGood_TheBicesterCollection
#DoGood
#UnlockHerFuture#TheBicesterCollection
NOTE TO EDITORS
About The Bicester Collection
The Bicester Collection is a family of 12 distinctive shopping
destinations in Europe,
China and soon the US, defined by
extraordinary experiences while offering remarkable value. The
Collection, created and operated by Value Retail, brings together
the world's most discerning guests and the world's most renowned
brands – often for the first time – on a journey of discovery. The
Villages are located close to some of Europe's and China's most celebrated cities: London, Paris, Milan,
Barcelona, Madrid, Dublin, Brussels, Munich, Frankfurt, Shanghai, Suzhou and, opening in September 2024, New
York. Collectively home to more than 1,300 boutiques, The
Bicester Collection offers guests an ever-evolving curation 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's mission has been to make the lives of
others better – from the communities it serves to its guests, brand
partners and its people. Through its DO GOOD programme, The
Bicester Collection aims to drive sustainable social change in
support of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, with
a focus on unlocking futures for women and children, wherever
they're born. Discover more at TheBicesterCollection.com
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