About the Airtech Challenge
The Airtech Challenge, an initiative driven by Tec de Monterrey through the incMTY Innovation Corporate platform and Daikin, aimed to connect and motivate entrepreneurs across the region. This initiative aligns with Daikin’s vision of promoting sustainability and incMTY’s mission to activate the disruptive and innovative startup ecosystem.
The Selection Process
Out of 50 participating startups, the judges evaluated aspects such as the impact of solutions, scalability, sustainability of business models, transformation of user experience, and alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The selected winners were:
The Winners
- 1st Place: AORA – A technology startup offering innovative solutions that connect people with reliable home, office, or business services across Latin America. Their technology enables quick, simple, hassle-free, and secure service requests.
- 2nd Place: Finsphera – A fintech and AI company focusing on financial technology solutions.
- 3rd Place: Conceitos Criativos – A company that enhances life quality by monitoring air quality and adjusting HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems and ventilation.
Prizes and Collaboration Opportunities
AORA won a trip to Daikin’s Technology and Innovation Center in Japan, along with $20,000 for a Proof of Concept (POC) trial supported by Daikin experts.
Finsphera received $10,000 for a POC trial and collaboration sessions with Daikin’s innovation team.
Conceitos Criativos secured $5,000 for a POC trial and collaboration sessions with Daikin’s innovation team.
Impact and Collaboration
Josué Delgado, Co-founder and CIO of Tecnológico de Monterrey’s innovation hub, stated: “Our mission is to activate the innovation ecosystem and connect visionaries with the necessary tools and support to turn their ideas into reality. Partnering with a global leader like Daikin to create the ‘Airtech’ industry through their challenge exemplifies how the corporate sector and entrepreneurial ecosystem can collaborate to address global challenges.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Airtech Challenge? The Airtech Challenge is an initiative by Tec de Monterrey and Daikin to connect and motivate entrepreneurs focused on sustainability and innovation in the air conditioning industry.
- How many startups participated in the challenge? Fifty startups participated in the Airtech Challenge.
- What were the criteria for selecting winners? Winners were chosen based on factors such as solution impact, scalability, business model sustainability, user experience transformation, and alignment with the UN’s SDGs.
- What prizes did the winners receive? The 1st place winner, AORA, received a trip to Daikin’s Japan center and $20,000 for a POC trial. Finsphera and Conceitos Criativos received funding and collaboration sessions with Daikin’s innovation team.
- What is the significance of this collaboration? This partnership between Tec de Monterrey and Daikin demonstrates how the corporate sector and entrepreneurial ecosystem can work together to tackle global challenges.
