Washington, DC; August 04, 2023. The Young Americas Business (YABT), the Organization of American States (OAS),and PepsiCo Latin America Beverage announced the two winning teams of the Eco-Challenge 2023 within the framework of the Finals of the XVIII edition of the Talent and Innovation Competition of the Americas (TIC Americas).

Flavia Araujo, Corporate Affairs Leader (Communications, Social Impact and Government Affairs) of PepsiCo Latin America Beverages, participated in the day of activities together with Ambassador Araceli Azuara, Representative of the OAS General Secretariat in the Dominican Republic; Luis Viguria, CEO of YABT; Georgina Núñez, Economic Affairs Officer of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and Valerie Lorena, Executive Director of YABT.

“At PepsiCo, we believe that working with youth provides us valuable opportunities to expand our sustainability efforts. That is why, since 2009, we created the Eco-Challenge in alliance with the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT) and the Organization of American States (OAS), inviting Latin American youth to continue inspiring us with their innovative ideas and ventures, joining efforts towards a more sustainable world. We are convinced that by supporting youth, we can find leaders to help us build a stronger and more sustainable future for all. From PepsiCo, we congratulate all the participants, finalists and winners of this edition”.

 – Flavia Araujo, Corporate Affairs Leader of PepsiCo Latin America Beverages

The Eco-Challenge is the sustainable innovation category of TIC Americas, and it’s aligned with the sustainability principles of the PepsiCo Positive (pep +) strategy and its three pillars: Positive Choices, Positive Agriculture, and Positive Value Chain. The program aimed to promote innovative solutions with the capacity to generate a positive impact on the planet and people. 

This year, the Eco-Challenge was divided into two Priorities: Education and Technology, offering a prize of US $10,000 in seed capital to the best team in each Priority. 

The winning teams are: 

• Mutare Mundo in the Education Priority 
• STARI YAQUA in the Technology Priority.

Mutare Mundo is an Ecuadorian venture that works with the local community through education strategies on integrated solid waste management, and understanding the principles of sustainability and how changing their habits can positively affect the planet. 

STARI YAQUA is a Peruvian venture that developed an innovative and patented system that transforms wastewater into clean water for reuse in agricultural plantations.

“We are very proud and grateful for the participation of more than 2,100 teams in this edition of the Eco Challenge and congratulate the eight finalist teams and especially the two winning teams. For the YABT, this is not the end of the work, but rather the beginning of a process of accompaniment and support that will allow these ideas and proposals to consolidate and enable us to support the hemispheric development agenda and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Special thanks to PepsiCo Latin America Beverages for its commitment to promoting sustainable development and especially for believing in the youth and their talent. We invite young people to continue their work with YABT, PepsiCo, and the OAS.”

– Luis Viguria, CEO of YABT

These teams underwent a process of business coaching and entrepreneurial training after being selected as Finalists from among 2110 innovative proposals submitted from 34 countries in the Eco-Challenge 2023 open call. 

YABT, the OAS and PepsiCo Latin America Beverages will continue to work with the winning teams and Finalists in activities that will allow them to consolidate themselves as leaders and references of sustainable transformation in our region while developing their capacities as entrepreneurs. 

Eco-Challenge 2023 was made possible thanks to the support of partners, experts, staff, interns, young participants, and local organizations that contributed to achieving the program’s objectives. We thank every stakeholder involved in the Eco-Challenge 2023 and TIC Americas for their unconditional support. 

For more information, please contact us via ticamericas@yabt.net.