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Final of TIC Americas 2010 Competition Begins in Lima

The final of the Talent and Innovation Competition of the Americas (TIC Americas) began today in Lima, Peru, and will conclude tomorrow with the selection of the winners, who will represent the continent in the TIC Global competition to be held in August in Asia.

Thirty-two team finalists from ten countries of the Americas (Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Grenada, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and the United States) participate in the competition. They made the final after an eight-month-long process of selection that began with more than 1200 teams. Among them are the six best projects from Peru—more specifically from Lima, Trujillo and Tarapoto.

TIC Americas is organized by the Young Americas Business Trust, an international nonprofit organization founded in 1999 that works jointly with the Organization of American States (OAS) to promote the development of young entrepreneurs through their programs and projects in the areas of leadership, training, technology, strategic alliances and national chapters.

“The future of our countries is in these young people, and this competition represents the best from them,” said María Teresa Merino de Hart, Director of Social Diplomacy at Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Relations, today during an inaugural press conference at the University of San Ignacio de Loyola. “For the Ministry it is an honor and a privilege to have this group of amazing entrepreneurs from Peru and abroad.”

Roy Thomasson, president of YABT, told the finalists that “all of you already are winners,” and asserted that his organization “carries on its commitment to continue this program for the young people of the continent.” Thomasson urged businesses to join the project because “TIC Americas not only is an opportunity to do business but to connect with the future.”

The project finalists will be presented June 3 and 4 at Lima’s Hotel Country Club, and will be evaluated by a jury of national and international experts. The winners will be announced on Friday at the same place, during a ceremony attended by OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, OAS Assistant Secretary General, Albert R. Ramdin, and Peru’s Minister of Labor, Manuela García Cochagne.

The competition’s prize categories include: Entrepreneurial Spirit, Social Entrepreneurship, New Markets, Tradition and Culture, Creative Design, E-Business, International Alliance, Best Peruvian Team and Best MERCOSUR Team. The winners will also be rewarded with cash prizes, training, opportunities and contacts.

TIC Americas is an international business competition that speeds up the process of entering the market for young entrepreneurs. The initiative involves phases of training, tutorship, development of testing prototypes, internships, opportunities for networking and international exposure.

Additional information about this initiative can be found here

Reference: E-213/10