More than 350 students participated in K-launch 2024 and only 10 finalists presented their pitch to investors.
On July 10, the second edition of the K-Launch Finals, one of Kruger School’s most important educational entrepreneurship competitions, was held. 350 students participated nationwide, and only 10 finalists presented their pitch to potential investors. Pablo Felipe Pérez won first place with his Color Quake project, a road paint made from recycled polyurethane foam, which won more than $20,000.00 in prizes.
The event’s jury was composed of business leaders and experts in innovation: Mónica Heller, CEO M. Heller Group and President of the Quito Chamber of Commerce; Álvaro D. Cobo, Specialist in structuring and investment portfolios; Sophia Chiriboga, Consumer Marketing Manager at Nestlé; María Dolores León, Commercial Manager of Multicines S.A.; Carlos Arrellano, Artificial Intelligence Consultant and/or Content Strategist; Henry Yandun, Executive President of Kubiec and Ernesto Kruger, CEO and Founder of Kruger Corporation. Who evaluated the feasibility and potential impact of each project.
Kruger School, was born in the midst of a reality of constant change with the objective of transforming education, guaranteeing learning through inspiration, preparing new generations to face the challenges of real life and above all to enhance their happiness; part of its K-Learning methodology is this entrepreneurship contest called “K-LAUNCH”, where students instead of doing homework dedicate their afternoons to develop a project they are passionate about to present it at the end of the year in front of their classmates, teachers, judges and potential investors.
Among the projects presented during the event were solar-powered traffic lights, a video game, footwear to prevent early pathologies, locator collars for pets, a website that combines Artificial Intelligence and literature, creatine-based Gummies, among others. Winners and finalists received great prizes, such as educational scholarships, technological devices, mentoring and more gifts provided by official sponsors. The event was attended by more than 400 people, including businessmen, students, parents and authorities.
Dr. Gustavo Alaya Cruz, Undersecretary for Educational Innovation and Good Living of the Ministry of Education of Ecuador, was one of them; and he mentioned “It really generates a lot of encouragement, to see so much talent, reflection, preparation; you can see that here there is hope for Ecuador. To see how young people from 13 to 17 years old try to solve everyday problems of society with creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation, is very interesting. Precisely in the Ministry of Education, we dealt with two cases that were presented here this week, the corner of calm and road safety education.”
The educational institution will remain committed to fulfilling its purpose, “Transforming Education, Boosting Lives” by encouraging students to think without fear, make their purpose a way of life and live with emotional intelligence, which is undoubtedly a great contribution to society.
