TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

AS A SOCIAL PROCESS.

WHO WE ARE

WTT IS A LATIN AMERICAN FOUNDATION WITH A MISSION TO PROMOTE INNOVATION AS A TOOL TO OVERCOME SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES.
WE WERE BORN IN 2012 AS AN AVINA FOUNDATION SPIN-OFF BASED ON AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF BARRIERS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO STRENGTHEN AND PROMOTE IMPACT INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS.

WHAT WE DO

WE ACCELERATE THE DEVELOPMENT, EXPERIMENTATION AND DISSEMINATION OF TECHNOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATIONS WITH THE INTENTION OF OFFERING EFFECTIVE RESPONSES TO THE MAJOR SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES OF OUR TIME.

IMPACT CHALLENGES

HOW TO CONNECT INNOVATIVE
SOLUTIONS WITH THE MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL
AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES?

We launch public calls to solve problems in communities or in value chains, inviting innovators, selecting the best proposals and creating room for the experimentation of innovations (technological, social or in business models) in the field.

TECHNOLOGIES

HOW TO SUPPORT IMPACT-ORIENTED INVENTORS AND INNOVATORS TO OVERCOME THE “INNOVATION VALLEY OF DEATH” AND BRING THEIR SOLUTIONS TO MARKET?

We identify and support innovative technologies with the potential to promote large-scale impact. We offer investments (our own or from third parties), strategic planning, project management and networking, among others.

COMMUNITY INNOVATION CENTERS

HOW TO NURTURE A CULTURE OF INNOVATION IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES?

Community innovation centers are permanent physical spaces where community members can access all the necessary resources (power tools, workspace, financing, mentoring, etc) that allow them to be active agents of innovation and to develop solutions to overcome their own challenges.

INNOVATION ORCHESTRATION CENTERS

HOW TO MOBILIZE SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE TO SOLVE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS?

We are driving the creation of the first Innovation Orchestration Center in Latin America, which will have the mission to mobilize the region’s science & technology assets towards the development of innovations aimed at solving social and enviromental challenges in our continent.

Starting from a given challenge, the center will build solution development teams, formed by people with complementary skills (scientists, engineers, students, etc.) who will work together in the development of science-based technologies that can effectively and sustainably solve those challenges.

WHO MAKES WTT

PABLO VAGLIENTE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Pablo worked as professor and researcher in several public and private Universities in Córdoba, Argentina, editing three books about the history of civil society in the city. Working in Fundación Avina since 2005, he occupied different positions, leading three regional programs: Access to Water; Political Innovation and Ethical Finances. Since 2018 Pablo is Director of Sustainable Business and Finances in Avina. He has a PhD in History and was an IADB consultant.

ANDRE WONGTSCHOWSKI

INNOVATION DIRECTOR

Andre brings to WTT over 15 years of professional experience in the private and social sectors, including 7 years at Unilever in various positions in Brazil, Colombia and England, and 3 years in the financial sector. Andre holds a degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Development Administration and Planning. He is an Eisenhower Fellow and an MIT/D-Lab Innovation Ecosystem Builder Fellow.

CRISTIANE ODA

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

Graduated in Accounting (Universidade Estadual de Londrina) and in Law (Unibrasil), Post-Graduated in Accounting Management, Auditing and Finance (Inbrape) with a professional career developed over 12 years working in accounting, finance, administration, tax and management of social projects, including projects funded by FINEP, Fundação Araucária and BNDES..

GASTON KREMER

PROGRAM MANAGER

Gaston has professional experience in strategic relations, communities and social business. Before WTT, was partner of energy access and rural development social business with focus in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uruguay. Studied ethics and governance of technology, climate and sustainable energy finance, inclusive innovation and international cooperation.