The competition, organized by the School of Business and Social Sciences at Universidad ORT Uruguay, recognized the creativity, commitment, and vision of high school students.
In this edition, two projects were recognized: ReConstruyo, which won an 80% grant, and Reciclash, which received a special mention and whose students were awarded a 50% grant.
The Business Challenge jury agreed that both presentations demonstrated dedication, analytical skills, and creativity. In addition to the scholarships, the teams received valuable feedback to help them further improve their projects.
The motto: think like professionals
The challenge presented a real-world business scenario that the teams had to solve by applying analysis, strategy, and decision-making. The jury evaluated both the idea and the way it was presented.
“I think it’s great that you’ve taken the plunge. There are so many high school students who want to study business but don’t end up doing so, and you’re already one step ahead,” said Gilberto Pratto, a member of the panel.
ReConstruyo: Giving New Life to Building Materials
First prize went to Joaquín Salomón and Eial Hodara, students at the Escuela Integral Hebreo Uruguaya and St. Brendan’s School.
Their initiative, ReConstruyo, is a marketplace for buying and selling surplus construction materials. This way, materials left over from a construction site can be reused in smaller projects, reducing costs and promoting sustainability.
“It gave us so much. We felt like we were putting ourselves in the shoes of a startup, understanding the market, and figuring out how to make an impact,” said the winners, who are already looking forward to careers in marketing and sales.
Reciclash: Waste and Food at the Heart of the Solution
Second place went to Mateo Martínez and Thiago Marmissolle, from Colegio San José de la Providencia, who received a 50% scholarship.
Their project, Reciclash, aims to tackle two key issues in Uruguay: waste management and food security.
“It was a great experience. We were nervous, but we managed to work as a team and come out on top. It was amazing to be able to compete for a scholarship in this format,” the students said.
Business Challenge
— Universidad ORT Uruguay @UniversidadORT) August 27, 2025
High school students participated in the final round of the competition to win a spot at ORT’s School of Business and Social Sciences.
Congratulations to “ReConstruyo” for taking first place and to “Reciclash” for receiving an honorable mention. pic.twitter.com/D3ktyMDltp