For the fourth year running, EDICOM has again collaborated with Technovation Girls, and without a doubt this was a regional phase with a very special schedule and a few surprises.

We set out very excited on Saturday at the ETSIAMN (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica y del Medio Natural) of Valencia Polytechnic University, as the company had been mentoring two teams for the Junior category: 4 the Future and Looking Forward.

Our Technovation girls

EDICOM had already made its debut at last year’s event, with two teams that managed to reach the regional and European finals. This year, we once again accompanied the girls and new members with their projects. Our technicians Carolina Expósito (Software Engineer) and Carlos Catalá (Systems Engineer) were by their side throughout the application development process.

4 the Future

Team consisting of Marta Izquierdo, Paloma Pardo, Martina Oliete and Aitana Moya (12 years) and Esther López (11 years). Their Flash Back app was a project aimed at helping people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Looking Forward

Formed by Teresa Catalá and Pilar Pardo (14 years) and Maria Izquierdo (15 years). Their app, Free Mind, was designed to help control anxiety.

A day full of emotions

The big day kicked off with the project fair. From their stands, the girls could show the potential of their projects to the visitors (including the jury), who, curious, would ask them a variety of questions about the process and functioning of their applications.

After that, the next step was the presentation to the jury, where the teams gave their all and showed how hard they had worked.

EDICOM, witness to the girls’ talent

In addition to collaborating as sponsors, Talent Growth once again gave us the opportunity to take part in assessing the teams. Sofiya Zorina, Software Integrator, and Manuel Roselló, Software Engineer, represented EDICOM among the jury members, assuming this role in the Beginner and Senior categories, respectively.

Both had rigorously studied the applications developed by the teams. On Saturday, they were able to get a first-hand look at their projects and appreciate the talent of the young women up close.

Supporting them up to the final!

While the jury was deliberating, the girls, together with their families and friends, were able to enjoy a live performance by the UPV’s Contemporary Musical Ensemble group in the university auditorium.

And so, the awards ceremony began. What the attendees didn’t know was that a surprise guest was waiting for them: Julissa Reynoso, US ambassador to Spain, was attending the Technovation Girls regional event in the Valencian Community. The diplomat had been pleasantly surprised by the young women’s projects, which she conveyed to them in her speech. She also highlighted the importance of this kind of initiatives to empower girls and contribute, little by little, to closing the gender gap in STEAM.

Finally, the jury’s verdict was revealed. Many teams received awards, among them those from EDICOM. 4 the Future and Looking Forward received the special prize from the Capgemini company. The first team also won the bronze award from COGITI (Colegio General de Colegios Oficiales de Graduados e Ingenieros Técnicos Industriales de España).

Proud of them

EDICOM was one of the lucky companies that presented prizes to the winning teams. Luz María Ortega, International Project Leader, and Jaime Poquet, Software Integrator, awarded the silver prize for the Junior category. The team that received this award was SpoonFull of sugar.

EDICOM employees also took the opportunity to address the girls:

“The women of EDICOM feel reflected in your work, in your commitment to improve the society in which we live“ – Luz and Jaime told them excitedly – “…and we want to tell you that EDICOM is here today for and because of you. Because these are awards that really show us that technology is for everyone, boys and girls alike“.