Latin America. Within the framework of the incMTY Summit 2024, which took place from November 13 to 14, the winner of the third edition of the Airtech Challenge, an initiative of Daikin Latin America and incMTY, was announced.
The winning project was that of the Mexican startup EC. DATA, led by Roberto Flores. The AirTech Challenge 2024 had as verticals the user experience and artificial intelligence applied within the HVAC industry, seeking automation for users, the sustainability of processes and some other needs within the industry and that add to the value chain of environmental care.
The Airtech Challenge received more than 280 projects in different stages of entrepreneurship, focused on offering innovative solutions for the air industry. Of these, 20 projects were selected and had the opportunity to be part of the digital bootcamp in which only 3 were selected: EC. DATA, by Mexican entrepreneur Roberto Flores; Dinnova, founded by Johanna Montenegro from Colombia; and from Brazil, Hedro Smart Sensors founded by Cássio Miranda Coelho.
"We have connected more than 800 entrepreneurs throughout Latin America to our innovation ecosystem, which reflects our commitment to promote them. Through the AirTech Challenge, we have supported more than 115 initiatives in 19 countries in the region, a number that can still grow. We know that great ideas need time and resources, but above all someone who believes in them," said Kota Fukutoku, Vice President of Corporate Planning at Daikin Latin America.
The winner, EC. DATA, presented a cloud-based platform focused on the sustainability of facilities, which offers solutions in energy management, automation and predictive maintenance. This tool will allow companies to optimize their operations and promote energy efficiency. In addition to the in-kind award, the first-place team will travel to Daikin's headquarters in Osaka, Japan, while also having the support and follow-up of senior executives of the company, as well as leaders of the entrepreneurship sector, to consolidate their project and take it to the next level.
Second place went to Hedro Smart Sensors, which received $5,000, while Dinnova took third place with a prize of $2,500. Both projects will have access to an acceleration program.
The jury, made up of Roberto Yi, president of Daikin Air Conditioning Brazil; Akihiro Yoshida, president of Daikin Air Conditioning Mexico; and Ulrick Noel, general director of the Eugenia Garza Lagüera Entrepreneurship Institute of Tecnológico de Monterrey, evaluated both the impact and the development of the problem and the proposed solution.
