--- title: "Innovative solutions for water, energy, and food security challenges: The 5 winners of the LATAM4WEF Innovation Lab" url: https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/innovative-solutions-water-energy-and-food-security-challenges-5-winners-latam4wef-innovation-lab/ --- 1. [HOME](/) 2. [RESOURCES](/content-hub/) 3. [SEEDSTARS LIFE](/content-hub/life/) 4. INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR WATER, ENERGY, AND FOOD SECURITY CHALLENGES: THE 5 WINNERS OF THE LATAM4WEF INNOVATION LAB ![Innovative solutions for water, energy, and food security challenges: The 5 winners of the LATAM4WEF Innovation Lab](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/4WEF_HEADER.max-1500x500.png) LATAM • OTHER ## Innovative solutions for water, energy, and food security challenges: The 5 winners of the LATAM4WEF Innovation Lab Seedstars Global FEBRUARY 7, 2023 Water, energy, and food are the essential building blocks of human life and are key to achieving sustainable development. However, in Latin America, these vital resources are facing mounting challenges as a result of increasing drought, water scarcity, and population growth. These issues are further exacerbated by the rising demand for energy and persistent food security concerns. #### WRITTEN BY ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/seedstars-black.max-376x376.png) Seedstars Global [CONTACT US](/contact-us/) Recognizing the need for innovative solutions to these challenges, the [LATAM4WEF Innovation Lab](https://www.seedstars.com/community/entrepreneurs/programs/latam4wef/) brought together some of the brightest minds from across the region to compete and find ways to make a real difference. After a rigorous evaluation process, five teams emerged as winners with their cutting-edge ideas that can create positive social and economic impact. Let's take a look at these inspiring teams and the impactful solutions they are developing to address the pressing water, energy, and food challenges in Latin America. ## Geokeri Challenge: Water - Energy 💧⚡️ Country of operation: Mexico 🇲🇽 Based in Mexico, the team at [Geokeri](https://www.geokeri.com/), led by Monserrat Meza Angeles at the Innovation Lab, is developing innovative geothermal energy solutions. With a wealth of experience in the field of geothermal energy, Monserrat and the Geokeri team have come up with a solution to create clean energy and purified water. The idea for Geokeri was born out of their experience and passion for geothermal energy. Through the LATAM4WEF Innovation Lab, mechanical engineer Montserrat was able to get together a diverse team of experts, including an agricultural engineer, product developers, and other passionate and innovative individuals with a focus on environmental management and a growth mindset. Together, they worked to make the Geokeri Minimum Viable Product (MVP) a reality. Geokeri’s main goal is to develop a replicable model of a portable, clean, and distributed energy generation system from hot springs, capable of obtaining purified water as an additional product. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way people in Mexico access renewable energy resources. The team at Geokeri is working hard to make this a reality and is committed to providing sustainable and cost-effective solutions for communities in need. ## Proyecto Nace Challenge: Water, Energy, Food 💧⚡️🌱 Target country of operation: Peru 🇵🇪 [Proyecto Nace](https://campusnace.cl/), headed by Hector Sepulveda Vasquez, addresses the pressing water and agricultural challenges facing the coastal regions of Chile. The team of professionals behind the project, advised by the Israeli embassy in Chile, is working to solve the water shortage for human and agricultural consumption through seawater desalination. Their solution involves the construction of Autonomous Desalination Plants and a large-scale implementation of one green hydrogen plant. With the plastic and municipal waste from desalination, Proyecto Nace also generates green hydrogen, as fuel to energize the desalination plants. The team has already developed an MVP of their solution and is currently in the development phase. They are also utilizing reverse osmosis and online software/AI to monitor the process. ## LYNKS Challenge: Water - Food💧🌱 Country of operation: Colombia 🇨🇴 The LYNKS team, led by Alejandro Pustowka, is made up of experienced professionals from the agricultural and IT sectors. The company, [LYNKS](https://lynks.com.co/), is a spinoff of Cenicaña - Sugar Cane Research Center in Valle del Cauca, Colombia. LYNKS addresses the WEF Nexus challenge by developing a solution for flow measurement in open channels to identify the consumption of water in sugarcane cultivation in the region. The team is ensuring to bring transparency, traceability, and intelligence to all the processes involved with water resources, applying technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Business Intelligence (BI), and analytics. The team valued the opportunity to create their innovation team and the MVP generated during the LATAM4WEF program has made them think of new ways to improve their product/service. With this solution, LYNKS aims to reduce the water footprint associated with irrigation in farmers, achieve an adequate balance between water supply and demand in irrigation districts, and facilitate the sustainable management of water sources in agro-industrial processes. ## FWF(Future With Flies) Challenge: Energy - Food ⚡️🌱 Target country of operation: Colombia 🇨🇴 In the LATAM4WEF Innovation Lab, the team Future With Flies (FWF) emerged as one of the winners. The team, led by Nicolas Vargas, is made up of young professionals from Colombia and Ecuador who are dedicated to finding innovative solutions to the challenges facing the agricultural industry. Their solution addresses one of the biggest challenges in the industry, the high cost of animal feed, by providing technological equipment to support agricultural producers to generate circular economies from the use of organic waste to produce protein. Their solution involves the creation of hatcheries for black soldier fly larvae with automated condition control software. These hatcheries take advantage of the excess organized waste, which has a triple economic, social, and environmental impact in the locality. The team's ultimate goal is to build equipment for poultry and swine producers that reduce expenses on protein-balanced inputs by 40% in a year. With this solution, they aim to support the protection and strengthening of natural ecosystems and create a triple economic, social, and environmental impact. They are committed to providing sustainable and cost-effective solutions to support the agricultural industry and improve the lives of farmers and communities. ## AiGROU Challenge: Water - Food💧🌱 Target country of operation: Colombia 🇨🇴 Led by Pedro Jefferson Cabrera Rodríguez, the AiGROU team is tackling one of the biggest challenges facing the agricultural industry: inefficiency in the use of water and energy. Through their innovative solution, the team is using open technology and a custom machine learning pipeline to provide a platform that allows medium-sized farmers and ranchers to analyze and better understand their data, ultimately maximizing efficiency, and productivity, as well as reducing water and energy consumption. The AiGROU team is a diverse group of eight professionals from six Latin American countries who came together at the Latam4WEF Innovation Lab. Three of the members work at Awaio, an SME that works towards water security, while the rest were brought together through the Lab. After listening to each member's ideas, identifying common themes, and developing new proposals, the team was able to land on a solution to a NEXUS WEF challenge, bringing them together in their commitment to addressing the issue of inefficiencies in water and energy use in the agricultural industry and AiGROU was born. The AiGROU team's solution is an open hardware and software platform for the agricultural industry that uses machine learning (Language Models) and IoT to address inefficiencies in water and energy use. The platform will also provide timely care in extreme weather events, which will improve agricultural and livestock yields, contributing to sustainable food production. With a determined focus on generating economic value and creating positive social and environmental impacts, the AiGROU team is dedicated to connecting with more people and organizations to promote technological development in vulnerable areas. ## LATAM4WEF Matchmaking Demo Day The five winning teams of LATAM4WEF Innovation Lab have created solutions to some of the toughest challenges facing the region and are ready to take them further. If your organization is financing or supporting projects in natural resources management for more water, energy, and food security in the region, we would like to invite you to participate at the LATAM4WEF Matchmaking Demo Day in Mexico City on March 30, 2023, where these inspiring groups will showcase how they're transforming Latin America with technology, collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. Contact Paula García Malpica, LATAM Regional Program Manager, for more information at paula@seedstars.com. You can also visit the LATAM4WEF page [here](https://www.seedstars.com/community/entrepreneurs/programs/latam4wef/). ARTICLE LATIN AMERICA OTHER ## More like this [ ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/istanbul.max-320x550.jpg) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • #### Turkey's founders move from phones to factories Aug. 03, 2026 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/beyond-valley/turkeys-founders-move-from-phones-to-factories/) [ ![None](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/istanbul.max-320x550.jpg) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • #### Building a Resilient Tech Ecosystem in the West Bank and Gaza Jun. 09, 2026 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/beyond-valley/building-resilient-tech-ecosystem-west-bank-and-gaza/) [ ![Why Moldova’s best startups look global from day one](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Why_Moldovas_best_startups_look_global_from_.max-320x550.png) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • #### Why Moldova’s best startups look global from day one Some Moldovan startups register a company in Estonia before they ever talk to an investor. Mar. 23, 2026 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/why-moldovas-best-startups-look-global-from-day-one/) [ ![Building under pressure: how Palestine’s startup ecosystem is learning to scale](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Building_under_pressure_-_how_Palestines_sta.max-320x550.jpg) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • #### Building under pressure: how Palestine’s startup ecosystem is learning to scale Founders in the West Bank and Gaza build in fragments. Power cuts, travel limits, and blocked payments are part of the job. Out of that reality, a distinct tech scene has taken shape that works lean, tests quickly, and looks outward for growth. Nov. 12, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/palestine-startup-ecosystem-learning-how-to-scale/) [ ![How Morocco is turning steady signals into a real startup story](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/How_Morocco_is_turning_steady_signals_into_a.max-320x550.jpg) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • #### How Morocco is turning steady signals into a real startup story Morocco’s startup ecosystem is finding its rhythm. After a quiet 2023, founders and investors regained momentum. Startups in the country raised around 70 million USD across 40 deals in 2024 - almost double the previous year, according to Africa: The Oct. 12, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/how-morocco-turning-steady-signals-into-real-startup-story/) [ ![These 12 Jordanian startups are solving problems across the Arab world](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/These_12_Jordanian_startups_are_solving_prob.max-320x550.jpg) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • #### These 12 Jordanian startups are solving problems across the Arab world Jordan has positioned itself as one of the Middle East's most efficient startup ecosystems. While the Kingdom represents just 3% of the region's population, Jordanian entrepreneurs have achieved remarkable influence across the Middle East. Oct. 03, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/12-jordanian-startups-solving-problems-across-arab-world/) [ ![Six Georgian startups you should know about](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Six_Georgian_startups_you_should_know_about_.max-320x550.jpg) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • #### Six Georgian startups you should know about Georgia’s tech ecosystem has been growing quietly beyond its early fintech reputation. The small Caucasus nation has built one of Europe’s most business-friendly environments, and it is starting to show. Sep. 17, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/six-georgian-startups-you-should-know-about/) [ ![Azerbaijan's practical approach to building a tech hub](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Azerbaijan_practical_approach_to_building_a_.max-320x550.jpg) ASIA • #### Azerbaijan's practical approach to building a tech hub While Silicon Valley startups chase the next consumer app, Azerbaijan's entrepreneurs are solving a more fundamental problem: building the digital backbone that businesses across the region desperately need to operate. Sep. 04, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/azerbaijan-practical-approach-building-tech-hub/) [ ![Lebanon's startup scene is built for global markets](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Lebanon-startup-scene-is-built-for-global-ma.max-320x550.jpg) ASIA • #### Lebanon's startup scene is built for global markets Lebanon's startup ecosystem operates on a fundamentally different premise than most tech hubs. While entrepreneurs in larger markets might spend years perfecting their domestic strategy, Lebanese founders incorporate abroad and sketch international e Aug. 04, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/lebanon-startup-scene-built-for-global-markets/) [ ![How Armenia built an ecosystem bigger than its borders](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/How_Armenia_built_an_ecosystem_bigger_than_i.max-320x550.jpg) ASIA • #### How Armenia built an ecosystem bigger than its borders Armenia has quietly built one of the region's most sophisticated startup ecosystems. The country's tech diaspora, with deep Silicon Valley roots, gives it an edge that neighboring countries can't easily replicate. Aug. 01, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/armenia-built-an-ecosystem-bigger-than-its-borders/) [ ![How Mongolia's landlocked startup scene is thriving](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Seedstars_Website_-_Life_content_-_Thumbnail.max-320x550.jpg) ASIA • #### How Mongolia's landlocked startup scene is thriving When you think of Mongolia, startup innovation probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But this landlocked country is quietly building something unexpected: a tech ecosystem that's learned to turn geographic constraints into creative advan Jul. 29, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/mongolia-landlocked-startup-scene-thriving/) [ ![Innovation under pressure: How Ukraine’s tech sector defies odds](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/thumbnailukraineblogpost210525.max-320x550.png) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • #### Innovation under pressure: How Ukraine’s tech sector defies odds Ukraine's tech sector thrives amid challenges, developing resilient solutions that work in any conditions. See how innovation under pressure creates technology the world needs. May. 21, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/innovation-under-pressure-how-ukraines-tech-sector-defies-odds/) [ ![How agricultural innovation is shaping up in Eastern Europe and Central Asia](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/020525THUMBNAIL.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • AGRICULTURE #### How agricultural innovation is shaping up in Eastern Europe and Central Asia Agritech startups in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are transforming farming with local innovations tackling drought, resource limits, and climate change. May. 02, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/how-agricultural-innovation-shaping-eastern-europe-and-central-asia/) [ ![How Egypt is moving from hypergrowth to sustainable innovation](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/lifearticle0404thumbnailphoto.max-320x550.png) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • #### How Egypt is moving from hypergrowth to sustainable innovation Egypt's startup ecosystem shifts from hypergrowth to sustainable innovation, with founders focusing on profitability and efficiency amid changing investment standards and government support. Apr. 04, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/how-egypt-is-moving-from-hypergrowth-to-sustainable-nnovation/) [ ![Círculo de Crédito anuncia nueva alianza con Seedstars para fortalecer su brazo de Corporate Venture](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/thumb240325.max-320x550.png) LATIN AMERICA • TECHNOLOGY #### Círculo de Crédito anuncia nueva alianza con Seedstars para fortalecer su brazo de Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) Círculo de Crédito, sociedad de información crediticia líder en México, está impulsando la innovación tecnológica a través de su brazo de Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) para promover la innovación y el desarrollo tecnológico en el ecosistema de conf Mar. 24, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/c%C3%ADrculo-de-cr%C3%A9dito-anuncia-nueva-alianza-con-seedstars-para-fortalecer-su-brazo-de-corporate-venture-capital-cvc/) [ ![Meet the startups modernizing Kazakhstan's tech lands](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/THUMBNAILLIFE0703ARTICLELIFE.max-320x550.png) ASIA • #### Meet the startups modernizing Kazakhstan's tech lands Kazakhstan's tech startups are revolutionizing infrastructure and services across the vast country, creating innovative solutions to modernize essential systems despite formidable geographic challenges. Mar. 07, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/meet-startups-modernizing-kazakhstans-tech-lands/) [ ![Tajikistan is building its digital foundations](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/lifearticlethumb270225tajikisatn.max-320x550.png) ASIA • #### Tajikistan is building its digital foundations Tajikistan's entrepreneurs focus on building essential digital infrastructure, transforming access to services in a country where internet reaches just less than half of the population. Feb. 27, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/tajikistan-is-building-its-digital-foundations/) [ ![How Belarusian tech talent is reshaping Eastern Europe's digital future](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/100225lifebelarusarticle.max-320x550.png) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • #### How Belarusian tech talent is reshaping Eastern Europe's digital future Discover how Belarusian tech companies' migration to Poland and Lithuania is creating new innovation hubs and transforming Eastern Europe's digital landscape with global ambitions. Feb. 10, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/how-belarusian-tech-talent-reshaping-eastern-europes-digital-future/) [ ![How Moldova is building its tech hub](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/thumbnailmoldova070225.max-320x550.png) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • #### How Moldova is building its tech hub Moldova emerges as a pragmatic tech hub, with local startups solving real-world problems through practical innovation. Learn how its strategic location and incentives are attracting tech talent. Feb. 07, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/cares/how-moldova-building-its-tech-hub/) [ ![Beyond the Valley](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/lifearticle050225thumb.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • #### Beyond the Valley Discover the hidden tech ecosystems of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where entrepreneurs are building crucial solutions that transform how millions live and work. Feb. 05, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/beyond-valley/) [ ![iGravity and Seedstars Join Forces to Manage the SECO Startup Fund](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/article310125_thumbnail.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • #### iGravity and Seedstars Join Forces to Manage the SECO Startup Fund iGravity and Seedstars are proud to announce their engagement as managers of the SECO Startup Fund (SSF), marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the initiative Jan. 31, 2025 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/igravity-and-seedstars-join-forces-manage-seco-startup-fund/) [ ![Africa Investment Forum 2024 Market Days: Seedstars Africa Ventures I announces $42m first close](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/article6122thumbnail.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • #### Africa Investment Forum 2024 Market Days: Seedstars Africa Ventures I announces $42m first close Seedstars Africa Ventures I, a venture capital fund making early-stage investments in highly scalable start-ups in Africa, has achieved a first close of $42 million, with participation from the African Development Bank, EIB Global with the support of Dec. 06, 2024 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/africa-investment-forum-2024-market-days-seedstars-africa-ventures-i-announces-42m-first-close/) [ ![Seedstars and Visa Foundation announce first cohort of SEED Inclusivity Program supporting entrepren](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/51224_thumbnailphoto.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • #### Seedstars and Visa Foundation announce first cohort of SEED Inclusivity Program supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities in Asia Seedstars and Visa Foundation select 15 innovative disability-focused startups across Asia for SEED Inclusivity Program, supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities and assistive tech. Dec. 05, 2024 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/seedstars-and-visa-foundation-announce-first-cohort-seed-inclusivity-program-supporting-entrepreneurs-disabilities-asia/) [ ![Financial Solutions for Migrant Women Report 2024](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/report20241911seedstrarsthumbnail.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • OTHER #### Financial Solutions for Migrant Women Report 2024 With nearly half of the world's 280 million international migrants being women, their financial inclusion represents both a crucial development challenge and a significant market opportunity Nov. 19, 2024 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/insights/financial-solutions-for-migran-women-report-2024/) --- ## Sitemap - [Sitemap](https://www.seedstars.com/sitemap.md): every public page on this site - [llms.txt](https://www.seedstars.com/llms.txt): what Seedstars does and where to start