The Minister of Education, Science, Universities and Vocational Training, Román Rodríguez, today highlighted the creativity of young Galicians during the awards ceremony for the Atrévete a tener una idea (Dare to have an idea) and Eduemprende Idea contests. These awards, promoted by the Xunta, recognize innovative business ideas presented by students from 15 educational centers throughout Galicia.
Rodríguez emphasized the usefulness of these initiatives in fostering an entrepreneurial spirit and bringing students closer to the business world. The winning projects address themes such as inclusion, recycling, and the positive use of artificial intelligence. Participants in Atrévete a tener una idea, from Primary and Secondary school, research companies and associations before designing their proposals, while the winners of Eduemprende Idea, from Vocational Training, will have the opportunity to join business incubators for technical advice.
The minister congratulated both the winning students and their teachers, highlighting the crucial role of educators. The contests are the result of collaboration between the Ministries of Education and Employment, under the Plan Eduemprende, which aims to promote a culture of entrepreneurship in schools.
The Atrévete a tener una idea contest promotes an entrepreneurial culture from an early age. In the individual Primary category, projects like Pendientes de oír (Hearing Pendents), El Busca caries (The Cavity Finder), and Recuperador de energía (Energy Recoverer) were recognized. For the group Primary category, Eco-inventores (Eco-inventors), Moble accesible (Accessible Furniture), and Camiseta axustable (Adjustable T-shirt) received awards. For individual Secondary, ideas such as Aura (noise-filtering headphones for people with ASD), Turbinas promarisco (seafloor turbines for shellfish farming), and Debuxo fácil (erasable pencil) were presented. In the group Secondary category, awards went to BioCaps (seed protection capsules), Cunca personalizada (personalized bowl for olive pits), and Camiño conecta (app for Camino de Santiago pilgrims). A total of 81 students from 10 centers were awarded.
Meanwhile, Eduemprende Idea targets students in mid and higher-level Vocational Training cycles. The first prize in higher cycles went to Plasticrab, for biodegradable packaging design and manufacturing. In mid-level cycles, the first prize was awarded to Hygrorock, stones that react to humidity. Second place in higher cycles was for ProteNord (protein substitute for livestock feed), and in mid-level cycles for Jerky Beef Bites (dehydrated meat protein snacks). The third prize in higher cycles was for Corte Creativo (digital design and manufacturing of personalized souvenirs), and in mid-level cycles for MarIA (artificial intelligence for the fishing sector).
The winning ideas collectively receive €12,000 and will have the opportunity to join the Xunta's network of business incubators and receive technical advice through the network of entrepreneurship and employment support hubs.
