This year, 31 projects from pre-incubation programs supported by universities and organizations in the network were submitted. Seventeen were selected as finalists to present their elevator pitches. Upon completing the evaluation, the judging panel awarded three special mentions and two prizes. The five projects will gain access to the Entrepreneurship Center (CCEEmprende) at the Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences of the University of the Republic.
Lock IT+ won the “Innovation in Tourism Services” award. It consists of a luggage storage service designed to meet the needs of casual tourists, who can leave their personal belongings there while engaging in other activities for a limited time. The service offers four core features: a website, SMS micropayments, electronic lockers , and tourist mini-packs . Fabián Zamelson and Alejandro Zambrzycki, students in the Electronics Engineering program, are also participating in the project by developing the electronics required for the product as part of their senior thesis.
Fashionbox Store won the “Value Chain Management” award. It is the first Montevideo-based e-commerce website dedicated to independent fashion accessory design. “Despite the sector’s growth, there are challenges in establishing and developing independent brands. These face difficulties in both production capacity and exposure,” stated students Mendlowicz and Baridon, the venture’s founding partners.
Good Life received the “Potential” Special Mention. It is a service program aimed at companies wishing to implement workplace health promotion strategies, thereby caring for their staff by encouraging healthy eating habits. The creator noted that “in addition to improving the quality of life for the individuals who make up the company, this program has an impact from a management perspective: it reduces absenteeism, staff turnover, and sick leave.”