Innovators of America granted awards to the winners of the second edition

A Bolivian, a Mexican, and four Colombians were honored at the second edition of the Innovators of America award, carried out at the Caja de Madera of the Plaza Mayor in Medellin, which included the presence of Enrique Garcia, Executive President of CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, and Patricia Janiot, member of the Board of Directors of Innovators of America, among other national and international personalities.

Garcia highlighted that the award is a platform to promote creativity and innovation as tools for Latin American development. "This is an acknowledgement of the potential of Latin American innovators who, through their work and talent, help the region advance towards a comprehensive proposal that promotes competitiveness, integration, and social inclusion", he stated.

The purpose of this initiative developed by Innovamerica Inc. is to reward innovation, with the support of the Mayor's Office of Medellin, CAF, and Ezentis. Angela Patricia Janiot stated, "We are ready to reward and spread this movement, popularize innovation, and encourage more companies and universities to support this Latin American effort". 

At the same time, Enrique Galindo Fentanes, representing the six winners, stated that they are proud to have made projects that will improve the quality of life of Latin Americans and that they are committed to keep improving. "The contribution of Innovators of America is to provide visibility to the developments and innovations that are being generated in our region, as well as to spread the message to Latin American youths that are full of talent".

 The six awarded categories were education, science and technology, design, sustainability and ecology, social development, and company and industry. The six winners received USD 50,000, in addition to the USD 10,000 Dollars for each granted by Ruta N. 

• Science and Technology: Franz Freudenthal Tichauer, from Bolivia, with his innovation of "occluder devices for congenital cardiopathy", which has reduced the mortality rate resulting from this condition in his country, and would like to replicate his experience throughout the continent. 
• Design: David Hernandez Salazar, from Colombia, with his innovation "Ludophone - Integrated Arts Ludic Project", which seeks to transform the way music is taught, inventing an instrument that links wind, percussion, and strings. 
• Enterprise and Industry: Enrique Galindo Fentanes, from Mexico, with his innovation  "Fungifree AB", the first bio-fungicide developed and marketed in Mexico. 
• Social Development: "Metro Culture", as an example of cultural innovation and transformation through its Metrocable mass transportation system. 
• Education: Oscar Amaya Montoya, from Colombia, with his innovation "Strategies to implement a culture of science and research from the school environment". 
• Sustainability and Ecology: Sebastian Bustamante, from Colombia, with his innovation "VERDEate.com-reta tu lado verde" (VERDEate.com - challenge your green side), which has made many companies in Medellin commit to reduce their carbon footprint. 

Earlier, Janiot announced the signature of three agreements during the press conference in which the awards were announced.  He stated, "An agreement was signed with the Paraguayan Association of Inventors to carry out the award version in that country. Another agreement was signed with the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs from the Dominican Republic to create the Dominican version of the Innovadores award in that country, and another agreement with the Spanish on-line mentoring portal StartupsMentor for all Latin America".