IDB: Atando Cabos, Algramo and Eco Pamplas wins awards for startups
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) reported that startups Atando Cabos, a Chilean company, won the challenge to reduce plastic and single-use plastic waste (Rethink Plastics Challenge) and received $ 30,000 to scale their solution.
Aalgramo (Chile) and Eco Pamplas (Brazil) were finalists.
The Rethink Plastics Challenge, promoted by MIT Solve and the IDB Group, awarded 3 Latin American startups $ 60,000 in cash prizes to expand their solutions.
IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno and Natura Co-President and Brazilian businessman Guilherme Leal discussed sustainability leadership in the public and private sectors at the challenge’s closing ceremony.
“Natura started reducing the impact of its packaging in 1983, which was the filling of shampoo and other plastic bottles. It aimed to reduce the use of plastic, which at the time was totally innovative. There is a great opportunity to incorporate innovative solutions for social and environmental needs. Large companies, with such representative numbers, need to connect with other actors to develop not only technical solutions, but also help change consumer culture and behavior, «said Leal.
IDB
The startup Atando Cabos (Chile), led by Francisco Cruz, obtained first place, receiving $ 30,000 and the opportunity to have a pilot implemented by the IDB Group.
Algramo (Chile), directed by Brian Bauer, won second place and a prize of $ 20,000.
Eco Pamplas, a Brazilian company led by Felipe Cardoso, received third place and $ 10,000.
These solutions seek to reduce the disposal of single-use plastics and plastic waste in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Plastics have proven to be one of the most important industrial innovations in the world and are ubiquitous in our daily lives. However, plastics have also had huge adverse impacts on human and environmental health. We are proud to support this new generation of entrepreneurs who are helping advance Latin America’s path to sustainability, ”said Juliano Seabra, head of the IDB’s Innovation and Creativity Division.
Other companies
Before the closing ceremony, the nine finalists in the challenge participated in a closed-door competition.
ALLGA (Chile), Atando Cabos (Chile), Algramo (Chile), Arqlite (Argentina), Ecoins (Costa Rica) Ecopamplas (Brazil), Mayco (Colombia), Micrastic (Mexico) and Precious Plastic (Holland) presented their solutions to the panel, mostly women, made up of IDB managers, leaders from the public and private sectors, and academics from 12 nationalities.
Among them were Antonia Gawel (World Economic Forum), Ariana Gomez (VISA), Christian del Valle (Athelia Funds), Edison Terra (Braskem), Daniel Mitchell (Acoplastics), Rafael Fernández Quiros (The Coca Cola Company), Jenna Jambeck (University of Georgia) Léa Gejer (Flock), Keyvan Macedo (Natura), Michel DeGraff (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Silvana Lopez (the Blockchain Challenge), Manuela Zoninsein (Palantir Technologies), Tá Corrales Sanchez (MIT D-Lab) , Paloma Roldan Ruiz (Healthy City) and Paula Pedro (Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab).
Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The IDB also conducts research and provides policy advice, technical assistance, and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.
MIT Solve
Solve is an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with the mission of solving global challenges. Solve is a marketplace for social impact innovation.
