Select your language

Solar X: winner of the Disruptair Challenge

Solar X ganador del Disruptair Challenge

Latin America. The Mexican startup Solar X won the first edition of the INCmty Disruptair Challenge, an initiative, convened by INCmty and Daikin, that challenges entrepreneurs in Latin America to identify or solve problems related to the HVAC industry and its supply chain.

This initiative sought 100 MVP Projects (minimum viable product) and Startups (newly created companies) that were in "pre seed and seed" stages, that is, in a moment of early training, that were "transforming the HVAC industry" through three verticals: Democratization of the HVAC industry and the culture of the Air, Sustainability for the HVAC industry and Improvement solutions for the value chain.

However, the dynamics of the INCmty Disruptair Challenge awards were carried out through the Daikin Challenge Final Pitch, a space where the participants who successfully passed different regional filters and Demo Days were announced. It is worth noting that Duván Chaverra, editorial chief of our magazine ARC Latin America, was part of the group of evaluators during the regional selections.

To the grand final came: Bono (Mexico) represented by Nicolás Bodek; Flair (Chile) represented by Pablo Farah and Solar X, (Mexico) represented by Dario Casanova. And the awards ceremony took place within the framework of the INCmty entrepreneurship festival, which took place from October 15 to 17, in Cintermex (Monterrey).

- Publicidad -

Awards
The first place, declared as the winner of the challenge, obtained 150,000 MXN, a trip to Japan to establish value connections and an accelerated incubation process, that is, an accompaniment to strengthen their business project.

Solar X, which took this category of the winner, gives access to all types of investors to renewable energy projects that help the environment, while generating high and safe returns on a monthly basis. These opportunities finance via crowdfunding to the industrial and government sector quickly, since their experience achieves an efficient, safe, economical and non-engaging due diligence.

The second place, which won an economic prize of 100,000 MXN, is Flair, a PropTech-Healthtech that creates well-being focused on people, while reducing carbon footprint, achieves this purpose through the continuous adaptation of the environmental conditions of indoor spaces, which allows to reduce energy consumption and create healthy workplaces, using advanced air analytics and intuitive interfaces.

Finally, the third place, which received an award of 50,000 MXN, is Bono, a platform for companies to quickly and easily measure and analyze their carbon footprint. In addition, it is also a marketplace of decarbonization services so that companies can attack their areas of opportunity and reduce their carbon footprint. The services in the marketplace cover different sectors, from energy efficiency, equipment change and electrification, renewable energy, among others.

Finalistas Disruptair Challenge

The jury
The qualifying jury of the Disruptair Challenge, was formed by Josue Delgado, CEO of INCmty of Tecnológico de Monterrey; Sergio Armella, CEO of Grupo CYVSA; Raisingh Rawat, Director of Project Sales (VRV & Applied) of Daikin Mexico; and Penny Locaso, "the world's first Happiness Hacker", considered one of Australia's most influential businesswomen.

Looking ahead to 2023
Following the announcement of the winners, Kota Fukutoku, VP of Corporate Planning and Advocacy at Daikin Latin America Operations (DLAO), announced the renewal of the INCmty Disruptair challenge for the next edition of this festival in 2023.

- Publicidad -

"By 2050, demand for air conditioning will increase three times its current value and Latin America will be the region where access to quality air will be as important as water. We have to solve this opportunity with sustainability. Tec's vision is to train the most innovative cadres and Daikin's vision is to continue adding value through the air. Together we can create new value for the air," Fukutoku said.

Daikin's startup: Comfort Loop
Through digital transformation and the Internet of Things (IoT), Daikin founders and intrapreneurs generated a new business model that seeks to make a change in the way air conditioning is purchased: Comfort Loop.

Ricardo Rodríguez, Senior Manager of Business Development at Daikin Latin America Operations, commented: "It is the first servitization scheme for air conditioning installations, focused on improving the experience of both customer and user; with efficient systems that adapt to the needs and conditions of each project".

Hacking climate change with the power of air
The specialists, Abigail González, Commercial Manager of Comfort Loop (specialist in "air as a service"); Eleazar Rivera, Government Activities Chair of ASHRAE Monterrey Chapter; and Elizabeth Martinez, Experience Design & Program Manager at Venture Café Monterrey, shared their insights on how disrupting the HVAC air industry can change the course of climate change in the panel "Hacking Climate Change with the Power of Air."

This panel addressed the environmental problems of air and the reasons why it is a priority to devise solutions. In addition, opportunities were identified for indoor air quality, innovation and entrepreneurship to be the key tools to hack climate change from the air conditioning industry.


No comments

• If you're already registered, please log in first. Your email will not be published.

Leave your comment

In reply to Some User
HVAC project at the Javeriana University, finalist in the CALA Awards 2025 in the HVAC category

HVAC project at the Javeriana University, finalist in the CALA Awards 2025 in the HVAC category

The HVAC system installed in the building of the Faculty of Sciences of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, in Bogotá, was selected as a finalist in the HVAC category of the CALA Awards 2025....

Concord Project in La Lima Free Trade Zone, finalist in the HVAC category of the CALA Awards 2025

Concord Project in La Lima Free Trade Zone, finalist in the HVAC category of the CALA Awards 2025

The HVAC system project carried out by MultiFRIO for the company Concord in the La Lima Free Trade Zone, in Cartago, received the final prize in the HVAC category of the CALA Awards 2025, a...

HVAC project at the Universidad Santiago de Cali, finalist in the CALA AWARDS HVAC category

HVAC project at the Universidad Santiago de Cali, finalist in the CALA AWARDS HVAC category

The air conditioning project of the Auditorium Building and the Technology Center of the new campus of the Santiago de Cali University was chosen as a finalist in the HVAC category of the CALA...

Carrier Launches Cold Climate Heat Pump with Maximum Efficiency and Low Noise

Carrier Launches Cold Climate Heat Pump with Maximum Efficiency and Low Noise

International. Carrier, a company belonging to Carrier Global Corporation, presented significant improvements in its heat pump technology designed for cold climates.

Expert Forum to Address Energy Efficiency and 4.0 Technologies in HVAC&R Systems

Expert Forum to Address Energy Efficiency and 4.0 Technologies in HVAC&R Systems

Colombia. On July 10, 2025, the specialized forum "Towards Energy Excellence in HVAC&R: ISO 50001, Technologies 4.0 and RETSIT" will be held, a space that will bring together experts and...

LG Electronics attributes lower-than-expected results to U.S. tariffs and market slowdown

LG Electronics attributes lower-than-expected results to U.S. tariffs and market slowdown

International. LG Electronics reported a preliminary operating profit of approximately $460 million for the second quarter of the year, a figure that not only disappointed the market, but...

Hisense highlights air conditioning innovation during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Hisense highlights air conditioning innovation during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

United States. Hisense is creating unforgettable moments for fans during the 2025™ FIFA Club World Cup with its global "Own the Moment" campaign.

AFEC renews its Board of Directors and updates its statutes at its 2025 General Assembly

AFEC renews its Board of Directors and updates its statutes at its 2025 General Assembly

International. The meeting brought together 130 professionals from the HVAC sector in Girona to review results, redefine structures and project the future of air conditioning in Spain.

Technology, efficiency and innovation at the Virtual HVAC Pre-Congress 2025

Technology, efficiency and innovation at the Virtual HVAC Pre-Congress 2025

International. As a prelude to the Refriaméricas 2025Academic Congress, the Virtual HVAC Pre-Congress will be held on July 8, a free technical conference that will bring together experts and leading...

Chile leads with a gender focus in regional meeting on the Montreal Protocol

Chile leads with a gender focus in regional meeting on the Montreal Protocol

Costa Rica. Within the framework of the Meeting of Networks of National Ozone Officers of Latin America, held from June 17 to 19 and organized by the United Nations Environment Program, Chile stood...

Free Subscription
Remember Me
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
DO YOU NEED A SERVICE OR PRODUCT QUOTE?
LASTEST INTERVIEWS
SITE SPONSORS










LASTEST NEWSLETTER
Ultimo Info-Boletin