MIT Technology Review in Spanish and Opinno Recognize Latin American Innovators
Young people in Latin America are betting on innovation to create solutions that address social problems, which is why MIT Technology Review in Spanish and consultancy Opinno announced the winners of the eleventh edition of the Innovators Under 35 LATAM (IU35 LATAM) awards.
The award recognizes 35 young individuals from the region for their contributions in science, technology, entrepreneurship, with 6 being Mexican.
Entrepreneurs
These young innovators are turning a spark, a small idea, or a dream into profitable businesses that also improve people’s quality of life or solve complex problems.
- Alejandro Zamora (Costa Rica) — Neural Coders. AI Evolution Plan: methodology and platform for organizing data, evaluating maturity, and implementing responsible AI.
- Ariel Revollo (Bolivia) — MOBI LATAM. Electric motorcycle subscription with maintenance and access to delivery jobs for students.
- Bruno Calcagno (Argentina) — Manax. All-in-one software for SMEs in services: budgeting, tasks, geo-controlled hourly work, billing, and AI for automating workflows.
- Gerardo Peña (Mexico) — Made. AI-powered operating system connecting verified brands and factories in Latin America/US, with real-time pricing and traceability.
- Gonzalo Waisman (Argentina) — Hashi. AI-driven video platform producing hyperrealistic pieces from text with consent and security controls.
- Kelvin Perea (Mexico) — kAI. AI assistant within WhatsApp that converts audio and text into tasks, documents, and automated process tracking.
- Martha Medina (Paraguay) — FACTO. Digital factoring marketplace for advancing invoices: immediate liquidity for micro, small, and medium enterprises (mipymes) and secure investments for buyers.
- Pedro Gutiérrez (Costa Rica) — Avify. Conversational commerce: integrates inventories, payments, and deliveries in WhatsApp and messaging for emerging market SMEs.
- Roberto Peñacastro (Mexico) — Leadsales. Conversational CRM for WhatsApp and networks: automated assignment, segmented campaigns, and result measurement.
Visionaries
Long-term perspective and unwavering passion define these innovators who always go beyond: they anticipate the future while building the present.
- Andrea Gómez (Colombia) — Selva. Paper-based self-diagnostic with biosensors to detect vaginal infections with clinical precision and home use.
- Carlos Andrade (Peru) — Manzana Verde. Healthy food subscriptions with logistics without own kitchens, localized menus, and end-to-end model.
- Carolina Águila (Chile) — NanoInGreen. New-generation bioingredients via fermentation: biodisponible minerals and clean label natural preservatives.
- Carolina González (Colombia) — Herbivore. Plant-based functional foods with minimalist formulas and biodegradable packaging, assisted by AI.
- Ixchel Robles (Mexico) — Hermes. Bioactive scaffold with biosensors for monitoring chronic wounds and promoting tissue regeneration.
- Joaquín González (Chile) — Cero Trade. Blockchain-based platform for purchasing, custody, and redemption of renewable energy certificates.
- Luis Carlos Parra (Colombia) — Klik Energy. Predictive algorithms to optimize industrial energy consumption and monetize demand flexibility.
- Nataly Parga (Colombia) — Squair. AI-driven universal integrator for optimizing industrial refrigeration compressors and cycles, with predictive maintenance.
Humanitarians
These innovators always think beyond themselves and understand that their ideas and projects should contribute to the common good and leave the world a little better than they found it.
- Adriana González (Nicaragua) — tizo. Inclusive e-commerce ecosystem: ‘tizo Points’ in neighborhood stores sell digital catalogs without their own internet.
- Ana Aquino (Guatemala) — BecaLab. AI and gamification for career guidance and connecting with scholarships; includes bot, swipe, and PLUS service for accompanying support.
- Maureen Montanía (Paraguay) — Aikumby Centro. Identifies and supports students with high abilities and double exceptionality using adapted methodologies to the context.
- Mercedes Bidart (Argentina) — Quipu. Alternative credit profiles with AI based on non-traditional data for financial inclusion of mipymes.
- Rodrigo Rodríguez (Bolivia) — Tu Cuate. App allowing the resale of services and products with immediate income, digital training, and no in-person registration.
- Tania Rosas (Colombia) — O Lab. AI-driven gamified simulators for learning by competencies; one-to-one model with social impact.
Pioneers
These innovators are the first to arrive and propose new solutions to complex problems. They understand technology as an opportunity to solve a problem.
- Abigail Gerónimo (Bolivia) — Molle Code. IoT sensors, AI, and blockchain for measuring carbon capture, issuing green bonds, and conserving native species.
- Carmen Paredes (Paraguay) — Ruruka. Valorization of industrial waste in ceramic bricks with traceability for ESG reporting.
- Daniel Troncoso (Chile) — ByBug. Modified black soldier fly larvae for producing recombinant veterinary proteins, oral, and accessible.
- Franco Rodríguez Viau (Argentina) — Satellites on Fire. Early fire detection with AI that anticipates alerts and simulates propagation for on-field response.
- Leydi Cruz (Bolivia) — AGRIMET. Hyperlocal sensors and models with ML/DL for frost alerts and agronomic recommendations via app and WhatsApp.
- Valentina Agudelo (Colombia) — Julieta. Non-invasive portable device for breast cancer screening, radiation-free, with AI for prioritization.
