The awards granted by the ‘MIT Technology Review’ in Spanish award the creativity and innovation of four men and one woman
Central America has been added to the list of regions in which MIT Technology Review in Spanish, published by Opinno, recognizes the talent and capabilities of citizens through the Under 35’s Innovators awards. The magazine has selected five projects from over 100 candidates from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.
Four men and one woman have been selected between the ages of 21 and 31. These are all people dedicated to changing the world thanks to the application of their abilities and knowledge towards the problems that society faces. Their projects approach such diverse topics such as accessibility for the disabled and the electricity supply for people in isolated areas and the poor. The selection of these winners was carried out by a judging panel of some of the greatest personalities in the world of innovation and entrepreneurialism.
Education is an area frequently looked at by the Under 35 Innovators. This edition’s work is represented by Antonio Navas, 32 and from Guatemala, who created the Duolingo system. Duolingo is a free platform for learning languages that allows you to create your own courses.
However the big ideas haven’t only come from the more mature winners, like Brayan Salazar for example. At 21, this Honduran has designed an Eolic device that means that people who live in rural areas can access electricity using mobile technology. Apart from charging telephones, Salazar’s device can also feed electronics such as LED bulbs and torches, in places with no electricity connection.
In the social field, Yeny Carias is the standout innovator. This young Honduran has devised software that translates the spoken word into sign language and makes learning easier for the deaf. Her first prototype aims to breach the communication gap that exists between deaf students and the teacher’s explanations.
Juan Fermín Rodríguez, 31 from Guatemala, is also fighting against the social gaps in his country. He has devised a pay-as-you-go solar technology that will make electricity accessible in the poorest areas of Guatemala, where over 30% of the population live without electricity.
The last project chosen by the MIT Techonology Review in Spanish consists in a software cloud able to compare quickly large quantities of data, detect patterns and help make decisions. This initiative created by Arnoldo Müller, 34 from Costa Rica, uses artificial intelligence to help companies save and be efficient in fields such as information security, health and human resources.
The five winners received their acknowledgement in a celebration last Thursday 9th of October in San Salvador (Republic of San Salvador) before an established audience from the innovation and technological world. Erick Chang and Bella Almillátegui’s projects each received a special mention from Opinno, awarding their careers.
The baptizing of the Under 35’s Innovators Awards in Central America represents a new step for Opinno in the ways of solidarity and innovation around the world. Just this year, the competition has also been introduced in Turkey and Brazil, as well continuing the annual ceremonies during editions in France, Mexico, and Spain.
