• The winner of this contest will be announced at the PERUMIN 36 Mining Convention, scheduled to take place in Arequipa from September 25 to 29.

PERUMIN Inspira, the most prestigious award given by the mining industry to high-impact social startups working in the Peruvian Andean and/or brow-of-the-jungle regions, presents its ten finalists, which will compete for the title of the best high-impact startup. The projects will be presented by their respective entrepreneurs during the PERUMIN 36 Mining Convention, scheduled to be held in Arequipa from September 25 to 29.

The ten finalists were selected by PERUMIN Inspira’s evaluating committee from among 136 startups from various regions, including Áncash, Apurímac, Arequipa, Cajamarca, Cusco, Lima, La Libertad, San Martín, Puno, Huancavelica, and Moquegua.

As stipulated by the rules of the contest, these startups contribute to achieving eight of the sixteen Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations: No Poverty (1), Zero Hunger (2), Good Health and Well-Being (3), Gender Equality (5), Clean Water and Sanitation (6), Decent Work and Economic Growth (8), Responsible Consumption and Production (12), and Climate Action (13).

“We have reached this final stage with great anticipation as to how the finalists will enhance their projects and build their skills through workshops and advice in preparation for the final presentation of their prototypes and the award ceremony at PERUMIN 36 in Arequipa,” said Jimena Sologuren, the president of PERUMIN Inspira.

MEETING THE FINALISTS

Of the 136 applications received, 30% had an impact on areas located at 3000 m.a.s.l., and 60% contributed to SDG 1: No Poverty. Additionally, 80% believed that their startups could be replicated in other contexts, providing assurance that their work would last over time.

Finally, ten finalists were selected which have an impact on twelve regions across the country:

●        Wayru Perú (Lima, Cusco, San Martín): This social enterprise offers adaptable portable showers that are multifunctional and comfortable. They aim to promote hygiene while improving water availability and saving in households with no access to this basic resource.

●        Uayki (Áncash): They offer an affordable portable connectivity kit that provides access to culturally and commercially valuable digital platforms and resources in remote and low-income areas with no connectivity or reliable internet access.

●        Inspiral (Moquegua): This is a triple-impact enterprise. Through biotechnology, they empower vulnerable agricultural communities and connects them with clients and companies developing nutritional products.

●        Unica (Cajamarca): This community organization provides credit and savings services to its members and neighbors. In doing so, they contribute to poverty reduction in the village of Llushcapampa Alta, where residents are starting various business undertakings.

●        Nostoc (Cusco): An initiative that aims to harness the protein, calcium and iron value of llullucha (cushuro) to combat anemia in children in the high Andes through nutraceutical gummies and to empower communities for sustainable llullucha production.

●        Creativity and technology from the rural community of Colcabamba (Huancavelica): This startup is dedicated to the design and building of AI robots to contribute to education in rural areas.

●        Café Orígenes (Cusco): This cooperative has the mission of eradicating poverty from among coffee farmers in the Valle de Lacco through selling special coffee in national and international markets.

●        Hortalizas del Colca (Arequipa): This social startup helps leverage funds for the implementation of aquaponic modules (a cultivation system) for women in high Andean regions, ensuring the full purchase of their produce at fair prices and contributing to the food security of families.

●        Inversiones Qosqo (Cusco): This company is dedicated to transforming Andean grains in order to combat and reduce anemia. Its star product is super Warumix H, a cereal made of Andean grains and dehydrated sheep blood.

●        Prepaso (Cusco): A didactic and efficient educational platform for students preparing to apply to university. They offer exercises, exam simulations, and courses created by university students. These courses contain all that is needed to prepare students for university and can be accessed from any location.

Four winners will be chosen for this edition, three in the category “High Impact Startup” and one which will receive the special ‘CIP Agrilac Resiliente’ award. The finalists will also receive technical assistance to aid them in positioning their startup and consolidating an ecosystem of strategic alliances.

The winners of PERUMIN Inspira will also receive seed capital thanks to Minera Poderosa, Orica, and the Moquegua Crece program; digital technical support thanks to the business incubator Kaman of Universidad Católica San Pablo de Arequipa; legal advice from the Benites, Vargas & Ugaz law firm; mentoring sessions with the business accelerator ADN Partners; access to virtual workshops provided by Tecsup; and promotion and media coverage.