La Paz “wonder city” aims at education, technology and entrepreneurship | Startup Weekend Women AI Challenge 2017 heading for a next Startup Weekend AI 2018 looking for disruptive ventures
La Paz is a city in Bolivia, it is located in the Andean mountains, with a particular climate, if you go around you should be prepared for abrupt changes, where the sun and the rain could appear at the same moment, never forget an umbrella, also known as the city of Pumakatari, the Zebras and the Cable cars.
A city with history, La Paz has a tradition in the development of thematic startups weekends, but for the first time one related to AI (Artificial Intelligence) was developed on September 22, 23, 24, 2017 an event where the participants had as challenge to develop a solution for a problem or need, starting with an idea, using Artificial Intelligence or some other technology.
The theme was the union of two objectives: support for women’s participation in technology and entrepreneurship issues; the incorporation of artificial intelligence in business ideas, ventures and as part of our daily life.
The support from national mentors, who took time to listen and analyze the ideas that emerged and the international mentors provided, by the Global SWAI team, in the area of AI and business also contributed with advice to the teams, English was not a limitation for communication.
The teams developed different ideas, with a unique essence, they presented their projects in two categories: the social impact and the use of technologies (AI as main approach), where the teams presented a business model and a MVP (Minimum Viable Product) or prototype:
Kaspy: Seeks to improve educational quality with feelings analysis using image recognition, winner challenge AI (technology)
INeed: App that connects doctors with patients, won a mention.
Blue House: Domotics at home, won a mention.
Save Baby: A vital signs detector for babies.
EDI: The financial advisor, Bigdata.
I-DeMS presents us with its smart camera, image recognition. They continue working on this project.
Mami app, the Ignacia team sought to develop a parental control in an app, winner Social area, being participants in the event in France “Hello Tomorrow”.
Yuyariway, offering solutions for the elderly, providing a friendly space. Domotics.
Saly, personal finance assistant, Bigdata.
The role of sponsors in technological events
In this first version the support was not expected from institutions such as
Mi Teleférico, who offered their space in one of the rooms of the Green Cable car, at the stop Alto Obrajes, where participants worked during the three days their business ideas .
Banco Ecofuturo offered the highest prize of all, an amount of money for the winning team in the Technology area (challenge AI).
Datos Bolivia, along with Cecilia Uriona as a facilitator of Techstars and also an expert in entrepreneurship issues held training workshops to teams that won some mention.
The organizing team was 90% Women with great support !!!
I started this event to motivate the participation of more women and be in charge was the beginning of a great adventure with good friends, one was the co organizer Ana Maria Ruiz, along with the first Bolivian woman facilitator of Techstars Cecilia Uriona was head of this event. It also had the support of volunteers such as Martha, Jessica, Luz, Nicole, Betsy, Edson, and experts on technological ventures: Eddy, Beto, Rodrigo, Israel, who throughout the previous months and during the event were supporting, thank you very much voluntaries!!!.
What do we expect from Startup Weekend AI 2018?
This year the second version is being prepared in the wonder city and more participation is expected: more people, sponsors, universities, participants who want to learn more about the new technological wave that is approaching, you can get more information by contacting us:
http://communities.techstars.com/bolivia/lapaz
https://www.facebook.com/StartupWeekendLaPaz/
@SWLaPaz
One community was born with the Global Startup Weekend AI
Do you want to empower your community? Join this movement of global volunteers who are part of the GSWAI, to boost the impact of new ventures by applying Artificial Intelligence.
