OREANDA-NEWS. July 15, 2015. The Institute for the Integration of Latin America and the Caribbean (INTAL), part of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), announces the launch of INTAL D-Tec, a contest to identify and award startups that offer innovative technological solutions in the field of integration and trade.

The winning startup will be awarded a \\$10,000 prize and will benefit from a six-month acceleration process at Endeavor Argentina Foundation to define a strategic investment plan together with experts in the field aimed at increasing the chances of project success. Entrepreneurs throughout Latin America and the Caribbean can compete for the prize, which will include counseling both in their country of origin and in Argentina.

The case will be disseminated in Endeavor’s Emprende supplement, published by Argentine newspaper La Nacin. The winner will have the possibility of seeking advice from IDB experts at any time, and will have access to the network of contacts provided by ConnectAmericas (the first social network for businesses in the Americas,organized by the IDB to promote foreign trade and international investment). In addition, the winner will be entitled to participate in Outsource 2 LAC, an event on the services sector organized by the IDB, which will be held in November in the city of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Special consideration will be given to the following technologies: big data, artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, 3D printers, biotechnology, nano technology, the internet of things, virtual reality, and digital networks, among others.

The technological proposals should be applicable to the following areas: regional and international trade, sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures, regional trade agreements, foreign trade single windows, customs transit, integrated border management, internationalization of SMEs, exports promotion, infrastructure maintenance, and border crossing logistics and modernization, among other topics relevant to regional integration and trade.

Applications will be accepted until September 2, 2015, and must be submitted online by completing the entry form at the Endeavor Foundation website, which can also be accessed through INTAL’s website.

A panel of judges made up of renowned experts from the private and public sectors and academia will select five finalists, who will then compete for the prize at the event commemorating the 50th anniversary of INTAL, which will take place on October 7 in Buenos Aires.

This contest is part of a broad effort by the IDB to promote innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit as tools for development.

About INTAL

The Institute for the Integration of Latin America and the Caribbean (INTAL) is a unit of the IDB Department of Integration (INT). Since its beginnings in 1965, INTAL has supported the Bank’s regional integration strategy and has been devoted to creating and disseminating knowledge on the benefits of integration.

About the IDB

The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.

About Endeavor

Endeavor contributes to development through the promotion of a culture of entrepreneurship, identifying high-impact entrepreneurs and providing them with strategic support to help them take their business to the next level. It also articulates and promotes the development of ecosystems that support entrepreneurs.