Project Hexa Wins eAwards 2025 for Transforming Plastic Waste with Insects
Project Hexa, which proposes an innovative bioconversion process that transforms plastic waste such as PS and LDPE into protein and fat using insects, has won the 7th edition of the eAwards organized by NTT Data Foundation.
Out of 502 registered projects, 252 met the participation criteria for the evaluation round where 52 NTT DATA consultants assessed them, and ultimately five finalists were selected.
Mario Chao, president of NTT Data Foundation Mexico, expressed pride in contributing to the development of Mexico’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through this competition that seeks technology-based startups to address social or environmental issues. He mentioned the establishment of a wide collaboration network to boost Mexico’s entrepreneurial potential.
The winning project received 1 million pesos and will have access to an acceleration program by StartUp Mexico. Moreover, the founders will compete globally with countries like Peru, Argentina, and Brazil. The global winner will receive an additional prize of 100,000 USD and access to international mentorship programs.
Finalists Focus on Tackling Social Issues with Technology
The innovations of the finalists revolve around addressing social problems using technology such as Artificial Intelligence and contributing to some of the Agenda 2030 goals.
Hexa: Combining Insects and Technology
Isaac de la Rosa, Hexa’s representative, shared that the idea originated from a childhood fascination with insects and the desire to create a project that could change how plastic waste ends up.
In Yucatan, 2,500 tons of waste are produced daily, with 11.4% being plastic and only 0.4% processed correctly, posing risks to the ecosystem and population.
Moreover, 35% of poultry and fish production comes from Yucatan, but only 5% of food is produced locally, leading to higher costs for external options.
To address these issues, Hexa employs a circular economy model. The team, consisting of Isaac de la Rosa, Liliana García, Luis G. Grijalva, and Hugo Montalbán, plans to use the prize money for building the first plant converting plastic waste into agricultural protein.
Finalists: Tackling Migration, Agriculture, and Health Issues
The five projects that advanced to the final stage aim to address issues affecting the population, including migration, agriculture, and health. Here are the finalists:
- Aztech Technologies: Develops affordable hand prosthetics using recyclable materials and an adaptive AI chip.
- Remmi: Streamlines remittance sending via WhatsApp with low fees, offering a reliable alternative for Mexican migrants.
- AH-BONE: A multifunctional bone graft that regenerates tissue and controls infections, currently used in veterinary medicine.
- GAPY: Monitors indoor and open-field crops, sending information and recommendations via WhatsApp.
