12 LatAm Startups Chosen for IDB’s Innovative Entrepreneurship Event

Twelve startups from Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Jamaica and Mexico have been chosen to participate in the 2016 edition of Demand Solutions, an entrepreneurship event designed to foster innovation and accelerate inclusive development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The event, being held for the fourth consecutive year, offers start-ups the chance to win financial backing for their venture. Last year, an Argentine entrepreneur who created software to utilize smartphones as digital hearing aids won the top prize.
The event is important for Latin America’s young technology entrepreneurs, because it provides a platform to  find solutions for development challenges in their home countries by leveraging the power of art, culture and technology.
“These 12 ventures stood out among the more than 500 entries we received from 20 countries,” said Trinidad Zaldivar, chief of the Culture, Creativity and Solidarity Affairs Division. “They’re great examples of the raw talent and potential of our region in fields such as art, education, design, animation and many others.”

During the conference, a founder from each of these startups will pitch his product or solution to a panel of judges, investors and business accelerators. Prior to and after the event, they will also participate in four days of activities, which include workshops delivered by mentors, media representatives and entrepreneurs.
The event, scheduled to take place on October 4 in Washington, DC., is jointly run by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Blum Center for Developing Economies at the University of California, Berkeley. Other partners include Microsoft, Tech Sampa, Nos8, LatamStartups, Banco Santander’s Red Emprendia, and the Global Good Fund.

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