JA Americas 2020 Company of the Year Competition Goes Virtual in a New Way
December 2–4, 2020
JA Americas’ 12th-annual Company of the Year competition kicks off with a new digital platform, bringing the first-ever virtual edition of the event to students, teachers, volunteers, and JA friends around the region—and allowing participants to literally be in the action!
The JA Americas Company of the Year (COY) competition allows students in the JA Company Program around the region to demonstrate their business acumen and entrepreneurial skills in a competitive environment and engage with leaders in business, education, and policy, as well as the media.
Day 1:
From Argentina to Uruguay, 19 student companies will compete in this year’s COY:
Argentina – Clap produces and sells toilets that degrade on contact with water.
Argentina – KIKA Deco created a unique office organizer made out of recycled wood.
Argentina – Stoff JA offers an innovative, practical, showy product that promotes social and environmental responsibility.
Argentina – Oui! sells microfiber towels in a branded pocket-style kit.
Canada – Stackd offers a gaming player matchmaking platform and events platform focused on creating safe and inclusive gaming experiences for next-generation gamers.
Canada – Arrière-Saison is a clothing brand featuring innovative and functional locally made products.
Costa Rica – Crabé sells a biofilter composed of active carbon and embedded microalgae, which capture different flue gases and particles in the air.
Costa Rica – La Tigra Jewelers manufactures and sells handmade jewelry with premium materials, including semi-precious stones, cultured beads, organic fibers, national wood, steel and leather.
Ecuador – ONTÁS JA sells a tracker attached to a keychain made of recycled materials that alarms the user if he or she loses or leaves an item behind.
Guatemala – Simplemente tú designs and sells custom t-shirts that encourage customers to express their own unique styles.
Jamaica – Total Comfort Touch converts discarded tires into household furniture.
Mexico – NUCIFERA produces an ecological pencil made of natural materials, including recycled paper and coconut fiber.
Peru – Nina sells a stainless-steel filter that purifies water using an activated carbon filter.
Peru – Mankú offers infusions that combat respiratory illnesses such as the flu in 100% biodegradable gelatin capsules.
Peru – Baroo sells an eco-friendly, easy-to-use shampoo bar for hair.
Peru – Enérgeia created ZAP, which generates electricity to charge mobile devices.
Uruguay – Bel Giardino: produces ecological and biodegradable garden kits.
Uruguay – TabuLa created a multipurpose table that is strong enough to support a computer and features height and swivel adjustments, with wheels for easy transport.
Uruguay – Makás sells a multifunctional table that can be used as a workstation and features a cupboard in the base for household storage.
This year’s speakers include
Luis Almagro, Secretary-General, Organization of American States
Rakesh Shalia, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at FedEx Express Latin America and Caribbean Division, Board Member of JA Américas
Mariel Sabra, Lead Specialist, IDB Lab
Luciano Macagno, Managing Director Latin America, Caribbean & South Florida at Delta Air Lines, JA Americas Board Chair
Asheesh Advani, President & CEO, JA Worldwide
Leo Martellotto, President, JA Americas
Meet the judges:
Camille Blair, Assistant Team Lead, Capital One and JA Global Council Member
Alma Donguez, CEO, Corral del Toroa Mescal Artesenal (and JA alumnus)
Alicia López, Latin America Giving Manager, Dell
Guilherme Reischl, Director, Egali Intercâmbio (and JA alumnus)
Ricardo Reyes, General Director, Cucuyo (and JA alumnus)
Erin Sawyer, Vice President of People and Events, JA Worldwide
This year’s event will be MC’d by Iliana Jimenez.
Stay tuned throughout the next three days for more JA Americas COY news!
Day 2:
Student companies set up booths for a virtual job fair via Virtual Venue to show off their companies today and participated in interviews with judges. COY Influencer Emiliano Ghislieri of Argentina visited the booths and talked to student companies, too. Check out the trade fair in the images below!
After the trade fair, student companies attended the "Future Thinking Workshop" powered by Oracle with Daniel Henrique Uehara and Leo Veri.
Stay tuned for Day 3 and the announcements of the winners!
Day 3:
After three days of interviews, conversations, and fun, the winners of the 12th-annual JA Americas Company of the Year competition came to a close with the announcement of the five winners!
People’s Choice Award: Clap, JA Argentina
Business Idea Award: Enérgeia, JA Peru
FedEx Global Possibilities Award: Mankú, JA Peru
Third Place: Stack, JA Canada
Second Place: Clap, JA Argentina
First Place: Nina, JA Peru
¡Gracias a todos! Felicitaciones a todos los equipos. ¡Te veo el próximo año!