Young people who attended INCmty 2020 participated in different competitions to get publicity for their startups or projects.
Technology that can be used in space, sustainable developments, medical solutions, and artificial intelligence projects are just a few of these innovations with a Mexican flavor.
The eighth annual INCmty, the Tec’s entrepreneurship festival, was an opportunity for young people to share their proposals with the world.
Here is CONECTA’s list of the stand out startups that won first place in contests such as the Heineken Green Challenge, INC Accelerator, INC Prototype, INC-B Challenge, and PrepApps.
1. Greenfluidics - Solar panels that can even be used in space
This company develops solar panels that use photosynthetic microorganisms to absorb CO2 from the environment while generating energy through capturing sunlight.
The panels have the potential to encourage vertical farming, to be used on green buildings, and could also be useful for generating oxygen on space stations.
Adán Ramírez shared the work of this startup, and it won first place in INC Accelerator 2020. The creators of this project are graduates of the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEM).
“We are one of the first space biotechnology companies in the world; we develop innovations with applications for use in space that will have a real and immediate impact on Earth,” said Ramírez.
2. Xilinat - A sugar substitute which diabetics can consume
This sugar substitute is produced from corn waste which is purchased from producers so as to help with their income.
The process generates a sweetener that can be consumed by people without altering their glucose levels -even by diabetics- and also helps protect teeth against cavities.
Xilinat won first place in the Heineken Green Challenge 2020.
“Compared to other sweeteners, we provide many health benefits,” said Javier Larragoiti, the founder of Xilinat.
3. OZVI - An ozone and UV light sterilization system
A smart device combines the use of ozone and UV light, both non-invasive sterilization technologies, to eliminate 99.9% of viruses and bacteria in the environment.
This technology may be an option for the disinfection of areas contaminated by COVID-19. The project won first place in INC Prototype 2020 for the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 to 8 category.
“OZVI features 4 30-watt lamps which provide 360 degrees of disinfection. In 2.5 minutes it can disinfect around 3.14 cubic meters, but it has the capacity to sterilize up to 200 cubic meters in an hour,” explained Rogelio Sariñana, a student at the Tec’s Aguascalientes campus.
4. BSN Medical Vision - Intelligent Cancer Care Assistance
By using artificial intelligence, this startup provides support to doctors treating patients with early-stage cancer.
Using a platform, specialists will have access to a digital file, a network of medical contacts, and tools for anatomical segmentation, detection of abnormalities, and the ability to generate clinical reports.
Juan Pablo Montoya, a student studying Computer Technology Engineering at the Tec’s Sonora Norte campus, won second place in INC Prototype 2020 for the TRL 6 to 8 category.
5. Moonbeam - Organic personal hygiene products
By using natural and organic ingredients obtained from local producers and sustainable processes, this company manufactures personal hygiene and care products, which it offers in returnable containers.
The startup is run by Ximena Mora and Omar Landa, who won second place in the INC Accelerator 2020 competition.
6. Jabón Güíjolos - Detergents made from oil waste
70 percent of this ecological and hypoallergenic detergent comes from recycled kitchen oil, which prevents it from contaminating rivers, lakes, and other water sources.
Aracely Gutiérrez, creator of Jabón Güíjolos, won second place in the HEINEKEN Green Challenge.
“Oil is 5,000 times more polluting than wastewater. According to SEMARNAT, the equivalent of 19.7 Chapala lakes are polluted in Mexico each year,” Gutiérrez shared during her pitch.
7. Agacel Nano - More nutritious food for children.
This startup develops highly nutritious organic additives for foods consumed by children, such as bread, sweets and bottled drinks, without these losing flavor or texture.
Nanocellulose, rich in fiber and protein, is obtained from a process that takes advantage of the waste produced by the malted barley used in beer brewing.
The startup was developed by Leonardo Chávez and Luxz Cuéllar, and won third place in the Heineken Green Challenge.
“Protein and fiber already exist in the market; what differentiates us is that our process is highly efficient, and we can produce more in less time and by spending less money,” said Cuéllar.
8. SMAAD - A smart environmental monitoring system
The Atmospheric and Environmental Monitoring System using Drones (SMAAD) autonomously monitors the level of pollution of large geographic areas through the use of artificial intelligence.
This technology provides atmospheric data, obtained in real time, that can be used by organizations which need the information to be able to make decisions.
The project, whose members are from the Tec’s Hidalgo campus, won first place in the TRL 3 to 5 category of the INC Prototype 2020 competition.
9. Pellet MX - Agricultural waste used to create biofuel
By utilizing organic agricultural, woodland, and timber waste, this startup has developed biomass which serves as a solid biofuel that can be used as a substitute for fossil fuels such as coal, diesel, and LP Gas.
The creators of this startup want their product to be used in industry and even households. They won third place in INC Accelerator 2020.
10. iLow material - Biodegradable plastic for electronic devices
For the development of an electrically conductive polymer, Salucita Román and José Villanueva won third place in the INC Prototype 2020 TRL 6 to 8 category.
“iLow is a low-cost, electrically-conductive bioplastic made from organic products which, when integrated into the manufacture of electronic devices, can be easily recycled and can degrade naturally,” said Román.
As it is a bioplastic, it can be produced with a lower carbon footprint and can be used to make circuits, cables, and coatings that prevent the increase of electronic waste pollution.
11. APM - An automated forklift system
The Automated Pick-Up Machine (APM) creates a fleet of autonomous forklifts which use artificial intelligence to take real-time inventories of products and storage in warehouses.
The forklifts can be monitored using a cellphone application, have an integrated camera system, an 8-hour battery, and capacity to transport up to 4 tons.
The project, developed by students at the Tec’s Mexico City campus, took second place in the INC Prototype 2020 TRL 3 to 5 category.
12. Outernet - A device connecting rural areas to the internet
This device takes advantage of the spaces left over from analog television channels to convert UHF and VHF signals into an internet signal; the intention is to connect rural and marginalized communities to the world wide web.
For this project, Jana Laura Voorting, a student at the Tec’s Cuernavaca campus, won first place in INC B-Challenge 2020.
13. Perseel - An app to manage your events calendar
An application that works as a catalog of events providers, allowing users to compare prices, see available dates and browse other details that allow them to plan the best possible event and make reservations in a easier and more accessible way.
César Ávila, a student at the Tec’s Sonora Norte campus, won second place in INC B-Challenge for this application.
14. Giggle - An app and toy to help children with autism
This project consists of the development of a smart toy for children with autism spectrum disorders, which can be interacted with through a mobile application.
The startup was developed by four students from PrepaTec Esmeralda, and won first place in the PrepApps 2020 contest.
“The purpose of our project is to help boys and girls with autism spectrum disorders and make their day-to-day lives a little more pleasant. It’s more than a toy. It can become a companion for life,” said Juan Antonio Sánchez, one of the developers.
15. NXT Road - Logistics for freight transportation
This is a logistics intelligence platform focusing on the transportation of goods by small and medium-sized companies.
For their project, José Raúl Rodríguez, a student at the Tec’s Monterrey campus, and Raúl Muñoz, a student at the UANL, won third place in INC B-Challenge 2020.
More about INCmty 2020
INCmty brought together more than 10,000 entrepreneurs, businesspeople, investors, and leaders from Mexico, the United States, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Spain, Peru, Israel, Brazil, and Canada.
Young people participated in competitions focused on different topics and aimed at distinct entrepreneurship stages, such as:
- The Heineken Green Challenge: promoted by HEINEKEN México and INCmty. This year, it asked for solutions based on the idea of the circular economy.
- INC Accelerator: aimed at startups launched for the Latin American market.
- INC Prototype: a university competition verifying the feasibility and desirability of different prototypes.
- INC B-Challenge: a virtual boot camp to generate an initial technology-based project.
- Prepapps: Apps and technological solutions developed by PrepaTec students.
For Rogelio de los Santos, the INCmty president, an important part of the entrepreneurship festival is its role as a platform for young people.
“It’s very important to be able participate in this type of competition and to interact with members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem; it is here that ideas not only develop into concepts, but they begin to translate into having societal impacts,” he shared.
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