Brilliant ideas often sit on the shelves of educational institutions, waiting for the right moment to be noticed. But sometimes, they find their opportunity and take off, turning into projects that can truly make a difference.
That potential was on full display at the USFQ Final Pitch Battle, where finalists each presented their projects after competing among 120 startup teams. It was inspiring to see students presenting innovative ideas with the drive to address real societal challenges.
As a jury member, I had the privilege of hearing these stories. The first-place winner, Rompamos el ciclo, addressed the challenges young girls face during puberty, providing education and resources to help navigate this crucial stage. The second-place project, Estaciona Ya, offered a sustainable solution to the urban parking crisis by allowing private parking owners to rent out unused spaces. The third-place winner, Serenitos, introduced a healthy snack designed to relieve stress and anxiety, promoting better health through superfoods and innovative packaging.
What stood out most was how each project showcased a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the potential for innovation to drive social good. Congratulations to all participants, to Rompamos el ciclo who will represent USFQ at the Social Ideas Challenge in Miami, and to Estaciona Ya that qualifies for the semifinals of the Hult Prize USFQ.
👥 Jury Members:
Franklin Velasco Vizcaíno, Associate Dean School of Business at USFQ
Carolina Brito Ceballos, Co-CEO and Partner at IMPAQTO
Deme Santander, Co-Founder & CEO at Become Scalable
Zakaria Laaraj, founder at Global New Ventures
🥇 Team Rompamos el Ciclo:
María Canela Álvarez, Sol Maria Lopez Freire, María Gracia Cartagena, Valentina García, Natalia Hadathy
🥈 Team Estaciona Ya:
Emily Camila Rivas Jaramillo, Ignacio Castillo, Valentina Monge, Samantha Orozco, Camila Torres
🥉 Team Serenitos:
María Josefa Maldonado Páez, Franchesca Vega, Rossvan Alejandro Flores, José David Cevallos Albán, Ariel Quelal
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
IMPAQTO Become Scalable Global New Ventures
Hemispheric University Consortium
Hult Prize USFQ
Diego Quiroga Pablo Carrera Narváez Franklin Velasco Vizcaíno Marilyn Andino Borja Juan Pablo Montúfar Diego Jacome Lorena Lara Ana María Novillo Rameix Magali Ramos Jarrin María Augusta Guzmán Z. Francisco León Renata Castillo Alejandro Varas Hinojosa Giovanni Rosania Anahí Castillo Ch.
#Learning #Education #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #StartupBattle #USFQ #SDGs #LATAM #Aprendizaje #Educación #Emprendimiento #Innovación
This is a LinkedIn Repost, view the official post here:
#Learning #Education #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #StartupBattle #USFQ #SDGs #LATAM #Aprendizaje #Educación #Emprendimiento #Innovación
This is a LinkedIn Repost, view the official post here:
