Quilmes Brewery and Malting Company has announced a new initiative to finance projects aimed at addressing key environmental challenges, including water conservation and biodiversity preservation. Through its open innovation platform, Eklos, the company has launched a call for applications for the 100+ Accelerator program. This initiative is specifically designed for entrepreneurs and startups looking to co-create innovative solutions in these fields.
This year, the program is making a special call for proposals from the province of Mendoza, Argentina. The company is primarily seeking startups and scaleups that already have a market-ready product or previous experience in solving similar environmental challenges. Interested organizations have until March 17 of this year to submit their proposals.
“At Quilmes Brewery and Malting Company, we have a long-term vision to build a company that will thrive for the next 100 years. We address global challenges by working on regional and local initiatives, respecting diversity, and creating a positive impact in the communities where we live and work,” said Owen Dempsey, the company’s Director of Technology.
Through this initiative, “we invite organizations to leverage our resources, experience, and global reach to accelerate the progress of their projects and scale them,” Dempsey added.
Focus Areas for the 100+ Accelerator Program
For this edition, Quilmes Brewery and Malting Company is looking for Argentine organizations and startups that can offer solutions to the following challenges:
1. Preservation and Restoration of Ecosystems and Native Species in Mendoza
This challenge aims to identify proposals that promote biodiversity conservation, restore degraded natural habitats, and support ecological balance. The company is particularly interested in receiving proposals related to:
- Geographic Information Systems for Habitat Monitoring: Tools to map protected areas, identify key biodiversity zones, and track ecosystem changes over time.
- Collaborative Platforms for Species Monitoring: Systems to measure species’ geographic distribution, population density, and ecosystem changes, helping to identify animal migration patterns and resilient plant species.
- Modeling and Simulation Technologies for Ecological Restoration: Solutions that enable precise restoration planning and predict species adaptation under prolonged drought conditions.
2. Smart Water Resource Management for Biodiversity Promotion and Ecological Restoration Nationwide
This challenge focuses on innovative solutions to improve water management in regions facing water scarcity, promoting ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation. Proposals should focus on technologies and strategies that enhance water use efficiency, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, with a long-term sustainability approach.
Innovative proposals may include:
- Climate Models for Predicting Rainfall Patterns, Droughts, and Temperature Variations: Advanced models to support proactive water management and conservation efforts.
- Fog and Dew Collection Systems: Technologies that extract moisture from the environment to generate usable water.
- Advanced Algorithmic Solutions for Water Behavior Analysis: Tools to predict water availability and optimize its distribution over time.
Program Benefits and Support
Startups and organizations accepted into the 100+ Accelerator program will receive funding to conduct pilot projects, validate their solutions, and, if successful, collaborate with Quilmes Brewery and Malting Company to scale their initiatives gradually.
A Success Story: ZoomAgri
One of the most notable success stories from this program is ZoomAgri. In 2017, the ZoomAgri team joined Eklos with a technological development proposal that used image recognition and artificial intelligence to determine the varietal purity of brewing barley in just minutes. This innovation significantly reduced the cost and time required compared to traditional methods, which previously took up to five days to produce results.
Varietal determination in barley is a crucial process for malt producers, as barley undergoes a germination process to become malt. The ability to analyze samples within minutes rather than days represented a breakthrough for the industry.
In 2019, ZoomAgri participated in the 100+ Accelerator program, reaching the final stage of the global selection process held at the company’s headquarters in New York. By 2021, the initiative won first place in the regional 100+ final organized in Brazil, earning a prize of $18,000. This success also opened doors for ZoomAgri to establish commercial partnerships with the company in various countries.
Through the 100+ Accelerator program, Quilmes Brewery and Malting Company continues to support and invest in sustainable solutions that address critical environmental challenges. By fostering collaboration with innovative startups and organizations, the company aims to create a lasting positive impact on biodiversity conservation and water resource management. Entrepreneurs in Mendoza and across Argentina are encouraged to seize this opportunity and contribute to building a sustainable future.