From Duolingo To Drought Prevention, These Innovators Are Empowering Communities

Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15, honors the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latine communities in the US. 

It began as a week-long event in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was extended to a month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988.

The dates are significant because they coincide with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile.

In keeping with this year’s theme, “Inspiring Innovation and Empowering Communities,” here are some standout Hispanic and Latine innovators pushing technological boundaries and shaping the future of tech in the US and beyond.

1. Luis von Ahn (Duolingo)

Luis von Ahn, a Guatemalan-born computer scientist, co-founded Duolingo, the world’s most popular language-learning platform. With over 500 million users, Duolingo has revolutionized education by making it fun, free, and accessible to everyone. Von Ahn’s work in crowdsourcing and his creation of CAPTCHA and reCAPTCHA are also testaments to his innovation in tech. Through Duolingo, von Ahn has empowered millions to learn new languages and embrace global cultures.

2. Ramona Ortega (WealthBuild)

Ramona Ortega is the CEO & Founder of WealthBuild, an AI powered financial assistant that helps people make smarter financial decisions and build wealth. She previously founded, My Money My Future, a financial literacy and inclusion platform. She is an award-winning tech entrepreneur, public speaker, impact investor and forthcoming author.

3. Matia Comercio (Waterplan)

Matia Comercio co-founded Waterplan, a startup that focuses on helping organizations manage and optimize water consumption. Through real-time analytics and actionable insights, Waterplan addresses critical water resource management issues, particularly in areas prone to drought. By using data to solve pressing environmental problems, Comercio’s company is contributing to sustainable solutions for the future.

4. Megan Nunes (Bountiful)

Megan Nunes founded Bountiful, an agricultural startup that uses AI and satellite imagery to help farmers optimize crop production. By providing insights into soil health, weather patterns, and crop viability, Bountiful enables farmers to make informed decisions, increasing yield while reducing waste. Nunes’ work demonstrates the powerful impact of data-driven agriculture in feeding the future.

5. Christine Souffrant Ntim (Global Startup Ecosystem)

Founder of Global Startup Ecosystem (GSE), Christine Souffrant Ntim is from Haiti and has been instrumental in supporting entrepreneurs globally, with a focus on diversity and inclusion in the tech ecosystem. GSE is a digital accelerator program that provides resources and mentorship to startups in emerging markets.

6. Jorge Heraud (Blue River Technology)

Peruvian entrepreneur Jorge Heraud co-founded Blue River Technology, which leverages robotics and machine learning to optimize agricultural processes. With a mission to create sustainable and efficient farming, the company’s solutions help farmers reduce herbicide use and improve crop yields. By combining AI and agriculture, Blue River Technology is changing the future of farming and contributing to environmental sustainability.

7. Sofia Elizondo (Brightseed)

Sofia Elizondo is the co-founder of Brightseed, a biotech startup using AI to discover natural plant compounds that benefit human health. As an entrepreneur, Elizondo is at the forefront of the intersection between technology, sustainability, and health, driving innovation with a global impact.

Feature Image Credit: TED