Washington, D.C., July 15, 2025. On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT), with the support of the Organization of American States (OAS) and Banreservas, is pleased to announce the 10 Finalist teams of the Start-Up Challenge, a special category of the 19th edition of the Talent and Innovation Competitions of the Americas (TIC Americas).

The ten Finalists were selected from a total of 767 proposals submitted by 1,108 young people from 28 countries across the Western Hemisphere. The Start-Up Challenge, as part of TIC Americas 2025, is integrated into the official process of the VII Young Americas Forum, an official activity of the X Summit of the Americas, to be held this December in the Dominican Republic.

After a thorough evaluation process conducted by international experts, we are proud to present the 10 Finalist teams, selected based on their potential for viability, innovation, social and environmental impact, and potential for growth:

These teams embody the talent, resilience, and commitment of a new generation of entrepreneurs dedicated to creating transformative solutions in line with the theme of the X Summit of the Americas: “Building a secure, sustainable and shared-prosperity hemisphere”. The challenge highlights human security in its many dimensions: citizen, food, energy, and water security.

From this point on, the Finalists will enter a business capacity-building phase in preparation for the Finals, which includes tailored training sessions, mentoring by international specialists, and technical support to help them strengthen their growth strategies.

During the Finals, each team will present its proposal before a committee of experts, who will select the winners. The award package includes, among other benefits: seed capital, visibility opportunities, and strategic connections with leading organizations in their respective sectors.

YABT extends its sincere thanks to all the registered teams, to the Banco de Reservas of the Dominican Republic and the OAS as strategic partners, to our local allies, and to our network of experts for their roles as judges, trainers, and mentors.

The Start-Up Challenge demonstrates that investing in young entrepreneurs is crucial for expanding efforts to develop innovative ideas and solutions by equipping them with the necessary tools and resources.Interested in supporting youth entrepreneurship and participation as we move toward the X Summit of the Americas? This is the perfect time to build an alliance for youth. Contact us at: ticamericas@yabt.net

Find more information at: www.ticamericas.net/startup