2019 Yearbook - Universidad ORT Uruguay

164 2019 Yearbook OUTSTANDING STARTUPS 2019 Zafrales. Entrepreneurs: Mauricio Pintado, graduate of the Specialization Diploma in Human Resources, and Rodrigo Pereira, graduate of the Doctor of Veterinary Sciences program at the University of the Republic. This startup, which connects job opportunities with Zafral personnel with a focus on the agricultural sector, was the winner of the third edition of Elevator Day, an annual event organized by Banco Santander, whose goal is to bring together young people from entrepreneurship centers at public and private universities across the country. This distinction includes a prize of US$5,000 in services. In addition, they were recognized as the “Startup of the Year” at the 2019 EmprendO Awards, an annual award presented by the Café & Negocios supplement of the newspaper El Observador. NudaProp.com. Entrepreneurs: Paula Bouzout, a graduate in Public Accounting; Constanza Boix, a graduate in Chemical Engineering from the University of the Republic (Udelar); and Sofía Boix, a graduate in Law from Udelar. This technology platform, which facilitates the sale of property titles with reserved usufruct rights, was selected to participate in the seventh edition of the WeXChange forum in Paraguay, following a call for proposals launched by the National Development Agency, UN Women, and IDB LAB. WeXChange is a platform that connects high-growth female entrepreneurs from Latin America and the Caribbean with mentors and investors. Smartway. Entrepreneurs: Nicolás Cremona, Gonzalo Díaz, and José García, graduates of the Electronics Engineering program. A startup specializing in the design of innovative and technological solutions for the control of machinery and vehicles. MiCheque. Entrepreneurs: Gonzalo Mesorio, a graduate in Systems Engineering and an MBA from ESIC Business School (Spain); Mónica Mesorio, a graduate in Public Accounting; Milton Rodríguez, a graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Systems; and Sebastián Pereira, a graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of the Enterprise. This platform offers a peer-to-peer check discounting system. Both startups were among the six winners of the First Edition of the Entrepreneur Passport, a program organized by Endeavor Uy, ANII, and the Technological Laboratory of Uruguay (LATU) for technology-based startups aiming for international expansion. Meanwhile, MiCheque closed its second investment round, raising US$500,000. The investment vehicle used was convertible notes, which allow any user to invest, attracting a total of more than 50 investors. Additionally, it was recognized as a standout startup in the Camino a la Inversión program, organized by Uruguay XXI in partnership with Piso 40, the Association of Young Entrepreneurs of Uruguay (AJE), and ANII. This program invites entrepreneurs to receive expert international mentoring, guidance on developing and executing a business plan, and specific training on how to present their project to investors. ACTIVITIES OF THE CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (CIE) 2019