WHAT IS AIRTECH CHALLENGE 2025?
Airtech Challenge is the initiative of Daikin and incMTY that invites entrepreneurs from across Latin America to submit their startups at the pre-seed, seed, Series A, or Series B stages, related to the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) industry and its supply chain.
Airtech Challenge is committed to discovering innovative and disruptive startups that aim to revolutionize the HVAC industry and transform the status quo of air through their value proposition.
For its 2025 edition, it has partnered with AHR Expo México, the most important air conditioning and refrigeration exhibition in Latin America, which brings together over 10,000 industry professionals and attracts more than 14,500 attendees from over 40 countries, to be the Official Host of the Airtech Challenge 2025 Final Pitch.
CALL VERTICALS
01Smart HVAC & Indoor Well-being
Initiatives with a value proposition based on HVAC-as-a-Service (HVACaaS) models, with applications in:
- Predictive monitoring
- Real-time air quality control
- Flexible subscription models
02Data Centers and Digital Transformation
Initiatives offering high-precision HVAC solutions for data centers, integrating intelligent consumption monitoring and digitalization of the value chain.
CALL VERTICALS
This vertical explores how digital financial solutions can be integrated into the HVAC sector to optimize business models, enable broader access to technology, and encourage the adoption of sustainable solutions through mechanisms such as financing, subscriptions, or pay-per-use models.
Technologies like embedded payments, green financing, blockchain for smart contracts, and alternative credit scoring are gaining momentum in Latin America, with Brazil leading the regional fintech movement. For the HVAC industry, this represents a way to democratize access to climate control solutions through “as-a-service” models, smart leasing, or inclusive financing schemes. For Daikin, this vertical opens opportunities to scale its value proposition to new market segments and strengthen its relationship with end users through innovative financial models.
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Financial inclusion in underserved markets
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Adoption of embedded payments and credit scoring
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Sustainable financing for energy-efficient solutions
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Facilitates pay-per-use and subscription models
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Encourages adoption of energy-efficient equipment
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Reduces barriers to entry for residential and SME clients
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Embedded lending or credit scoring platforms for HVAC customers
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Green financing startups offering B2B/B2C credit
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Digital leasing platforms for equipment financing
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Fintechs offering utility-based payment integration
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Insurtechs bundling equipment protection or warranty solutions
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Embedded finance APIs (integrated payment and credit services)
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Blockchain (for secure, traceable transactions or smart contracts)
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AI-based credit scoring (alternative data to assess creditworthiness)
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Open banking (data sharing for financing and risk evaluation)
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Mobile wallets & digital payments
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BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) and micro-leasing platforms
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Smart contract platforms for pay-per-use models
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Fintechs specializing in B2B credit or smart leasing
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Green financing or pay-per-use platforms
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Insurtechs offering equipment-related insurance products
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Startups building embedded payment infrastructure
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Alternative credit solutions for SMEs or residential customers
This vertical focuses on enhancing user experience and smart service delivery through digital technologies. It seeks solutions that improve interaction with HVAC products before, during, and after the sale — from better customer service to predictive and remote maintenance.
Conversational AI, behavioral analytics, personalized mobile apps, and omnichannel platforms are transforming customer experience across Latin America, particularly in Brazil and Mexico. In HVAC, these technologies enable more intuitive user interaction, stronger customer loyalty, and more efficient after-sales service. For Daikin, this is a chance to differentiate through user-centric experiences, optimize service networks, and build stronger long-term customer relationships.
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Hyper-personalization and AI-driven interactions
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Predictive maintenance and proactive service
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Frictionless digital onboarding and post-sale support
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Enhances customer satisfaction and brand loyalty
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Optimizes technician dispatch and service networks
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Reduces downtime and maintenance costs
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AI-driven virtual assistants or chatbot platforms
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Predictive maintenance tools with IoT integration
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CX/UX design platforms for user-facing HVAC apps
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Augmented reality tools for remote troubleshooting
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Field service management apps for technician coordination
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AI and Machine Learning (chatbots, personalization, predictive service)
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IoT (Internet of Things) for real-time system monitoring
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Augmented Reality (AR) for guided repair and remote support
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Computer Vision (remote diagnostics or service validation)
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Mobile-first platforms and no-code/low-code CX tools
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Voice recognition/NLP for smart interfaces
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Field service automation technologies
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CX/UX platforms focused on user analytics
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Maintenance management or remote monitoring apps
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AI-based customer support tools
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Digital onboarding or post-sale experience startups
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Augmented reality solutions for technical support
PREMIOS AIRTECH CHALLENGE 2025
1st place
All expenses paid business trip to Japan, including an exclusive visit to Daikin’s facilities and networking opportunities with industry leaders.
2nd place
Direct access to a dedicated session with Daikin’s innovation team, with the possibility of exploring collaboration and co-development opportunities.
3rd place
Strategic connection with Daikin to present your project and open doors to potential partnerships, mentorship, or future business opportunities.
PREMIOS AIRTECH CHALLENGE 2025
1st place
Business Trip to Japan + Daikin connection
Strengthen the relationship with the TIC, in collaboration with open innovation labs, through continued engagement with the winning startup of the Airtech Challenge.
AHR Expo participation & spotlight RRSS & Community events (DIMO)
$20k in POC
2nd place
Daikin Strategic Connections
Promote collaboration dynamics between Daikin and high-potential startups, taking into account their stage of maturity and the material conditions required for effective implementation.
AHR Expo participation & spotlight RRSS & Community events (DIMO)
$10k in POC
3rd place
Daikin Strategic Connections
Promote collaboration dynamics between Daikin and high-potential startups, taking into account their stage of maturity and the material conditions required for effective implementation.
AHR Expo participation & spotlight RRSS & Community events (DIMO)
$5k in POC
WHAT INITIATIVES CAN APPLY TO AIRTECH CHALLENGE 2025?
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Projects in the pre-seed, seed, Series A, or Series B stages.
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Startups with proposals and impact in the HVAC industry.
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Original ideas not adaptations of technologies from other regions.
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Initiatives based in a Latin American country and operating their solution within the region:
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Mexico and Central America:
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Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador.
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Brazil
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South America:
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Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador.
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Register your startup through the registration form, filling in all the required information.
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Email confirmation of your registration will be sent.
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The organizing team will internally review and evaluate the startup’s application based on the following criteria:
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Stage of development.
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Relevance and alignment with the defined verticals.
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Collaboration potential with Daikin for proof of concept related to the proposed solution.
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Internal pitch round for the top startups that meet the selection criteria.
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Final Pitch with the 3 finalist startups.
To participate, applicants must clearly explain the stage their startup is in, the problem they have identified, how their solution addresses it, and the business model behind it. It is also important to clearly highlight the connection between the proposed solution and the HVAC industry.
Individuals who meet the following criteria may submit their initiatives to the Airtech Challenge 2025.
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Must be citizens of a Latin American country with valid citizenship, or individuals without Latin American citizenship whose initiative is operating within the Latin American region.
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Must be of legal age in their country of residence or at least 18 years old (whichever applies).
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If selected as a finalist, must have the legal ability to travel to Mexico and Japan in 2025 and 2026. (This is a mandatory requirement)
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Proficiency in English, as all interactions with Daikin will be conducted in English.
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Must be available to present their pitch in person, in English, in Monterrey, Mexico, in September 2025, if selected as a finalist. (Participants are responsible for having the necessary and valid documents to travel to Mexico and, if awarded 1st place, to Japan. This includes visas and passports if required)
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Applicants must have access to the necessary equipment and a reliable internet connection.
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If selected, they must be available to fully participate in the selection and development process, attend the final award session if chosen as a finalist, and take part in the acceleration program in Monterrey, Mexico.
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When can you register?
You can register from May 5, 2025, to July 31, 2025.
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How can I participate in the Airtech Challenge 2025?
By registering through the form available at https://www.incmty.com/airtech/en.
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Is there any cost to participate in the challenge?
Participation is completely free. We encourage you to apply if you have a project or startup that impacts the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) industry.
Projects may be disqualified if any of the team members and/or the project are found to be in conflict due to any of the following reasons:
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Active direct or indirect collaborators of any of the institutions organizing the challenge who are also serving as jury members.
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Individuals holding an active position in a political party.
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Active public servants.
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Individuals with political aspirations and/or direct or indirect involvement with political parties.
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Submission of evidence (e.g., video pitch) unrelated to the participating project and/or technology that belongs to another project.
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Projects directed and executed by governmental institutions.
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Individuals conducting commercial activities through a license, sale, or representation of a technology not developed by any member of the participating team.
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Projects with incomplete forms, false information, or submissions outside of the established deadlines will be disqualified, as well as duplicate registrations.
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A single person may not register multiple times; individuals who register multiple projects and/or startups will be disqualified from all projects that include their name.
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Participation in other calls for proposals taking place during the incMTY 2025 festival is not allowed.
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If a project is registered in more than two calls organized by incMTY, the team must clarify which one they wish to proceed with; otherwise, the project will be disqualified from all calls it is registered in.
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Projects linked to any prohibited activity outlined in this call will be disqualified.
Participation Stages
This call will be open from May 5, 2025, to July 31, 2025. To apply, participants must complete the form at the following link:
Register now
Throughout the challenge, participants will go through several elimination stages, progressively narrowing the pool until reaching the Grand Final:
01
Registration Stage (virtual)
May 5 to July 31, 2025
Startups must select the region they belong to (Mexico and Central America, South America, or Brazil) and complete their registration clearly and accurately. If a startup does not complete the required registration or duplicates participation in two regions, it will be automatically disqualified.
02
Pre-selection Stage (virtual)
August 1 to 15, 2025
Once the application period ends, the evaluation committee will review all submissions and video pitches. Each will be assessed and scored based on internal criteria defined by the organizing institutions. The pre-selection results will be sent via email to the team leader. Selected initiatives will be invited to confirm their participation in the next stage.
03
Regional Selection Stage (virtual)
August 19 to 29, 2025
After the pre-selection, the chosen initiatives will move on to the regional selection stage, featuring the finalist startups from the three defined regions. From this round, three finalists will be chosen to present their pitch in English.
04
Final Pitch (in person)
September 23, 24, and 25, 2025
The final pitch will take place during the AHR Expo in Monterrey, Mexico. Startups will have 8 minutes to present their innovation to the Daikin jury, followed by 3 minutes for Q&A. At the end of the event, the winning initiative will be announced, determining 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place of the Airtech Challenge.
AIRTECH CHALLENGE 2024 WINNERS
EC. Data, develops a cloud-based platform focused on sustainability for facilities, offering energy management, automation, and predictive maintenance solutions.
Their platform enables companies to optimize operations while promoting energy efficiency.
HEDRO, develops smart vibration sensors to connect old machines to the Internet of Things (IoT).
Dinnova offers new, innovative, sustainable, and modular refrigeration equipment that replaces traditional technologies, optimizing energy consumption, reducing CO2 emissions, and improving energy efficiency.
As part of a sustainable solution, they collect old refrigerators from their clients, refurbish them, and deliver them to communities without access to electricity, providing refrigeration in extreme environments like the La Guajira Desert in Colombia.
