Pioneers of change: Unlock Her Future Prize 2024

Championing global changemakers, the Unlock Her Future Prize is part of The Bicester Collection’s philanthropic programme, DO GOOD. This annual initiative is dedicated to empowering women social entrepreneurs; now in its second year, the Prize has set its sights on the Latin America (LATAM) region, attracting more than 954 applicants from 20 countries. Four exceptional women – Valentina Agudelo, Leydi Cruz, Thamires Pontes and Annie Rosas – emerged as winners, each receiving business grants of up to US$100,000, along with invaluable entrepreneurial and leadership training from partners across Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, including Ashoka, Tec de Monterrey and Dalia Empower.

Between them, their ventures are set to spark profound social, environmental and economic change in their communities and beyond. Also driving entrepreneurial change, 17-year-old Kristal del Valle was recognised as the 2024 Unlock Her Future Prize Young Game Changer for her innovative founding of the start-up MindVerse.

Following the glittering awards ceremony at the Galeria de Cristal in Madrid, we caught up with the winners and finalists to see how the Prize has transformed their journeys so far – and their advice for other aspiring social entrepreneurs.

Thamires Pontes, founder of Phycolabs and one of this year’s winners, is leading a Brazilian biomaterial startup dedicated to finding alternatives to petrochemical materials. "We believe in transforming the industry with sustainable and fair practices," says Thamires. Phycolabs is innovating in the fashion industry with eco-friendly bio-threads and textile fibres made from seaweed, specifically red algae. This rapidly renewable resource offers a significantly lower environmental impact and strong scalability, making it a viable long-term alternative. “This project represents our vision for a more circular economy […] where eco-friendly materials become the norm, not the exception.”

Reflecting on her experience so far, she remarks, "it validates our efforts [to promote responsible fashion practices] and provides an excellent platform to showcase our solution to the world".

Discussing the broader context of women entrepreneurs in Latin America, Thamires notes that, while progress is evident, “challenges like access to funding and cultural gender biases remain significant”.

For those looking to break into the industry, she encourages them to “stay flexible, build solid partnerships, be realistic, transparent and bold. As Janis Joplin said, 'Don’t compromise yourself, you’re all you’ve got’.”

Valentina Agudelo, founder of Salva Health and winner of the Prize, is tackling healthcare challenges with Julieta – a device revolutionising breast cancer screening for women in remote areas. Unlike traditional technologies, Julieta is portable, radiation-free and user-friendly, allowing non-specialised personnel to operate it. The device uses advanced AI algorithms to detect abnormalities. "Our goal is to redesign women's healthcare, providing access to affordable and safe screenings,” says Valentina. The aim is to expand this technology to detect other pathologies in the future.

On being selected as a Prize winner, she expresses: "It's a once in a lifetime experience, offering validation and invaluable connections". The recognition and support from The Bicester Collection “has given us significant visibility". For women entrepreneurs in LATAM, "the ecosystem has started to develop strongly, there are more opportunities […] but we need to empower women to seek them,” she adds.

Looking ahead, she envisions global expansion for Salva Health; “participating in this Prize opens doors globally, validating our impact and accelerating our growth. It's about providing every woman, anywhere in the world, a fair chance of early detection of breast cancer. We’re committed to leveraging innovative technology to break down barriers.

Annie Rosas, founder of Bluekali, is making waves with pioneering technology designed to clean aquatic ecosystems and prevents packaging pollution . “We provide data collection insights to create justified sustainability strategies,” she explains. Aiming to create a future where rivers and oceans are clean and vibrant.

For Annie, Bluekali’s mission is deeply personal. “Growing up in a coastal state in Mexico, I witnessed the detrimental effects of pollution. What were once pristine waters became increasingly polluted with waste, threatening local wildlife and communities,” she explains. Her goal is to “ensure a better quality of life for all”. While the core mission remains unchanged, Bluekali’s approach has evolved. Originally focused solely on barriers to stop rubbish flow and technology for river cleaning, the company has now expanded to include educational projects and data analysis, enhancing its impact.

Being selected as a winner “feels like recognition of our hard work and dedication”. The support has significantly boosted Bluekali's growth through mentorship and new partnerships, while “access to Mexico’s best social entrepreneurial network has accelerated our mission,” she adds.

Reflecting on entrepreneurs in LATAM, Annie notes, "while women face significant hurdles like limited funding and cultural biases, there's a growing movement to support and empower them". She believes the future is bright as more women step into entrepreneurial roles. “If you can't stop envisioning how your solution could change the world, you need to pursue it. Believe in yourself, follow your unique path, and stay true to your feminism and yourself.”

Leydi Cruz, founder of AGRIMET , is enhancing the climate resilience of smallholder farmers in Bolivia with affordable, technology-driven solutions. "We deploy low-cost IoT sensor networks that measure critical climatic and soil variables in real-time," explains Leydi.

Behind the statistics of crop losses, real people endure hardships. “If successful, my solution will help these farmers build resilience against climate change,” she says. This knowledge empowers them to make informed decisions. AGRIMET’s mission extends beyond “protecting livelihoods; it also safeguards food security and preserves our environment for future generations”.

Reflecting on women entrepreneurs in the LATAM region, Leydi points out, “while there are programmes to increase female participation […], creating spaces where women can receive education and support from an early stage is vital”. She advises aspiring entrepreneurs to "build a strong team, manage funds carefully and be open to feedback," underscoring the importance of fostering supportive environments.

Kristal del Valle, 17, from Guatemala, has been recognised as the 2024 Unlock Her Future Prize Young Game Changer for MindVers e – an AI-powered platform that customises 24/ 7 learning experiences beyond the classroom, to match each student’s cognitive preferences and learning styles, ensuring accessible education.

Kristal's entrepreneurial journey began early, selling preloved toys at the age of nine and later cheese to fundraise the development of MindVerse's prototype. Her recognition highlights a deep commitment to transforming education globally, with MindVerse offering personalised learning tools and support, paving the way towards a brighter future in education.

Florencia Sosa, Prize finalist and co-founder of Andina, supports more than 400 families of women artisans in northern Argentina, crafting sustainable vicuña wool ponchos with traceability and Blockchain technology. "It’s a triple-impact enterprise: empowering women, ensuring constant production and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals," she explains.

Being a finalist has and continues to propel Florencia forward. “Empowering these women and elevating their stories drives me every day.” The association with The Bicester Collection only adds to Andina’s international recognition and overall mission; "it affirms we're making a difference in the lives of the women weavers and their communities," she adds.

Reflecting on women entrepreneurs in LATAM, Florencia sees potential amidst economic challenges. "It’s crucial to foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports and empowers women to bring their ideas to fruition," she stresses. For those aspiring to plunge into their own entrepreneurial journey, she advises: "Embrace your journey, trust in technological innovations to drive progress and build a supportive network to amplify your impact."

Andrea Nines, co-founder of Easy Clean Water, is revolutionising access to clean water in Venezuela, with renewable, energy-powered water treatment systems. "Our business model empowers communities with safe, potable water while fostering economic growth," she explains. "Improving lives and protecting the environment are at the heart of our mission." Looking back on her experience as a finalist, Andrea describes it as surreal. "It validated our mission to address pressing water issues," she recalls with gratitude. "Being recognised among top ventures was an incredibly rewarding moment." Andrea also acknowledges the resilience of women entrepreneurs in LATAM facing funding gaps. "With more support programmes and initiatives, they can lead transformative change, fostering inclusive and sustainable development in the region.” Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is clear: "Believe in your vision, stay resilient through challenges and seek support from family, friends or professional networks. Your persistence can turn your dreams into reality."

Hailing from Panama, Infonimados is transforming education by turning historical events into captivating animated videos, available to the world on its YouTube platform. "Our mission is to create a powerful learning experience by bridging the gap between entertainment and education," explains founder, Shirley Matos. "We aim to make complex subjects accessible through captivating animated stories, democratising education and empowering learners everywhere.”

Being named a finalist was a significant honour for Shirley; "It reinforces our commitment to creating high-quality educational content that’s accessible to everyone.” The experience has not only expanded her business acumen but also broadened her network. "Meeting powerful women who are making a tremendous impact has been incredibly inspiring," she adds.

Despite high entrepreneurship rates in LATAM, Shirley emphasises the importance of "programmes like the Unlock Her Future Prize, which provide essential resources, guidance and opportunities to empower women.” Simple yet powerful, to those pursuing their own entrepreneurial journey, she advises: "Just start. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Trust your instincts, believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek mentorship along the way."

Gabriela de Sá, the visionary behind Colorar , is pioneering women’s economic independence and safety in Brazil. "Colorar aims to create a safer, more equitable environment for women to thrive," she explains. Driven by her own mother's resilience, she champions empathy, support and empowerment at Colorar. "Listening to these struggles daily, I want Colorar to have meaningful economic impact in combating violence towards women."

As one of eight finalists, Gabriela describes the experience as transformative, broadening her perspective on women entrepreneurs in the region. "This experience reinforced my belief in the incredible potential of women entrepreneurs."

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Gabriela advocates a path of self-belief and incremental progress. “Cultivate confidence in your abilities and vision for the future. Embrace the idea that even the smallest steps contribute to overall progress.”