MAPFRE Foundation and IE Foundation Celebrate the 7th Edition of the Social Innovation Awards
Fundación MAPFRE and IE University, through the IE Center for Social Innovation and Sustainability – attached to IE Foundation –, successfully celebrated the seventh edition of the Social Innovation Awards, recognizing and rewarding innovative initiatives that aim to generate a positive impact on society.
The award ceremony took place at the iconic Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid, where innovative solutions in three key categories were highlighted: Health Improvement and Digital Technology (e-Health), Senior Economy, and Safe and Sustainable Mobility.
This edition saw nearly 400 projects from Europe, Brazil, Latin America, and the United States, of which twelve finalists were selected to compete in the grand final. The three winning projects were:
- Change: WATER Labs (USA): Winner in the e-Health category for their innovative portable, waterless toilet, iThrone, which evaporates 95% of waste, providing a clean and safe sanitation solution in areas without sewer infrastructure.
- Cuidador de Confiança (Brazil): Winner in the Senior Economy category with their web app that provides training resources for caregivers, using artificial intelligence to design individualized health plans.
- Evix Safety (Spain): Winner in the Safe and Sustainable Mobility category for their helmet with an integrated cervical airbag, which activates in 100ms via an AI algorithm that detects accidents.
Diego del Alcázar Benjumea, CEO of IE University, had the honor of presenting the award to Change: WATER Labs, highlighting the importance of these initiatives that not only aim to innovate but also contribute to a safer and more sustainable future.
Antonio Huertas, President of MAPFRE and Fundación MAPFRE, emphasized that these awards are a springboard to success for entrepreneurs, enabling them to improve the quality of life for people.
In addition to the €40,000 cash prize, the winners will receive free consulting from EY through its foundation to help them grow and be more efficient. They will also be integrated into Red Innova, a network that fosters the exchange of knowledge and contributes to the social innovation ecosystem.
Next Edition
MAPFRE Foundation has announced that the call for the eighth edition of the Social Innovation Awards will open in October 2024. The rules and requirements will be available at www.fundacionmapfre.org.
IE University and IE Foundation remain committed to promoting initiatives that foster positive change, supporting the development of revolutionary ideas that tackle global challenges with innovative technological solutions.