YABT

he Young Americas Business Trust (YABT), the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Government of Guatemala launched the Talent and Innovation Challenge of the Americas (TIC Americas 2013) on Tuesday 11th, September 2012 at the lobby of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala.

TIC Americas has been consolidated as a platform of opportunities for young entrepreneurs of the Americas and the Caribbean; a business accelerator beyond traditional competitions by incorporating training and mentoring before, during and after the competition.

For the fourth consecutive year the competition has included the Eco-Challenge category, sponsored by PepsiCo; a special category of awards within TIC Americas related to projects for innovation in environmental conservation. "For PepsiCo, the Eco-Challenge represents a mean of demonstrating our commitment in creating awareness in young leaders responsible with our natural resources while finding ways to solve major environmental issues," said Mario Molina, Franchise Manager, PepsiCo Guatemala. CabCorp joins PepsiCo and YABT in the local promotion of Eco-Challenge 2013, demonstrating its commitment with the Guatemalan youth.

This year TIC Americas includes a category of national awards aimed to the Guatemalan youth; and the TIC Caribbean, focused on young entrepreneurs from the twenty CARICOM members and associate member states.

"For us, as the Government of Guatemala, is crucial to not only create this kind of opportunities, but mainly to support and strengthen them, with the purpose of encouraging young people to participate and showcase their great talent" outlined Ambassador Harold Caballeros, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala.

The challenge consist of an online phase; where participants have access to resources to develop their projects, with the finality of growing their business idea into solid business plans; and an on site phase were the finalists benefits with international exposure, networking and contacts, media coverage and other advantages within the General Assembly of the Organization of American States.

Finals will take place on may 2013, prior to the XLII OAS General Assembly in Antigua, Guatemala, where the 36 most competitive projects from the hemisphere will meet to participate in high-level training sessions and conferences and compete for more than 72,000 dollars in cash prizes.

TIC Americas has been developed since 2007, within the frame of the OAS General Assemblies and the Summits of the Americas. In six editions more than 6,000 business proposals have been registered, representing more than 20,000 young entrepreneurs around the world.

Young people not older than 36 years are invited to register their business idea in www.ticamericas.net, Participate and make your business idea grow!

For more information contact: ticamericas@yabt.net, www.ticamericas.net, www.pepsimundo.com