The expansion of the MIT Technology Review Innovators under 35 awards has been fast and valuable for the promotion of entrepreneurship in Latin America. Mexico has been one of the pioneers in organizing this competition from MIT Technology Review, which aims to identify the best works of innovation and recognize the effort and dedication of Mexico's youngest and brightest and help impulse their career.
What makes Mexico great isn't just its population of 113 million its 2 million square kilometers of land that place it among the 20 largest countries in the world. Mexico also has more than 50 universities and research centers, three Nobel Prizes and hundreds of companies considered among the most innovative and profitable in the world. This translates into talent thats deserves to be seen and recognized. It is the main value the MIT Technology Review Innovator under 35 awards brings to the table.
The awards cover various areas of the technology field: biomedicine, energy, materials, computing, telecommunications, medicine, biotechnology, energy, nano-technology, transportation, Internet, web development, electronic hardware and software.
The first edition took place in 2012. It had the support of BBVA Bancomer, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and Microsoft. 30% of the projects submitted were related to nanotechnology and materials or biotechnology and medicine. But it was certainly in the field of computer science where most of the applications were concentrated. 60% of the papers received were related to web development, Internet, software and electronic hardware. And with 180 applications received this edition became one of the most numerous.
The winners of Innovators Under 35 Mexico 2012 were:
- José Manuel Aguilar. Bio-technological platform to obtain vaccines more quickly and economically.
- Juan Pablo Esquivel. Proposes to generate miniaturized power sources for portable diagnostic devices.
- Javier Gomez. Mobile and affordable technology to control heart disease.
- Ana Laborde. Innovative proposal on sustainable bioplastics made from tequila residues.
- Damar Lopez-Arredondo. Based on genetically modified crops to optimize the use of fertilizers.
- Javier Lozano. Comprehensive treatment of diabetes for communities with few resources.
- Rodrigo Martinez. Employee recruitment online.
- Jordi Muñoz. Open source technology for low cost aerial robots.
- Jorge Soto. Generate through mobile software for new models of governance and empowerment.
- Manuel Wiechers. Proposes to give light to disadvantaged areas through smart solar equipment.
- Rodrigo Martinez. Online Employee recruitment.
Damar Lopez Arredondo received special recognition as Innovator of the Year, and Javier Lozano received the distinction of Solidary Innovator.
The panel of judges that evaluated the profiles consisted of technologists, researchers, investors and entrepreneurs from the entrepreneurial and scientific ecosystem, experts in their field. Among them are prominent profiles like Mexican Luis Herrera Estrella, director of the National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversity of CINVESTAV.
For the winners of the Innovators under 35 awards, to be recognized by MIT Technology Review has been a qualitative leap in their careers that has helped them boost their business, to become part of an international network of first level contacts and gain strength in the disclosure and dissemination of their work both nationally and internationally.
The second edition of Innovators under 35 Mexico has broken the record with more than 250 candidates. The most represented areas have been Biotechnology and Informatics, which have made up over a third of the projects submitted. The award ceremony will take place on 29 and 30 May in Mexico.
