Submitted
2023 Indigenous Communities Fellowship

PlatformofInnovationNetworkingServicesEmpowerment&Leadership

Team Leader
Alberto Caceda
Solution Overview & Team Lead Details
Our Organization
Latin American Professional Network
What is the name of your solution?
PlatformofInnovationNetworkingServicesEmpowerment&Leadership
Provide a one-line summary of your solution.
PINSEL is an innovative platform that connects Indigenous communities with similar challenges and empowers them to co-create solutions through modern IT mechanisms, including cloud computing, microservices, and interoperability, while also providing e-learning resources and a reputation management s
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?

PINSEL is focused on solving the specific problem of lack of access to resources, training, and support for Indigenous communities facing similar challenges in the USA and Canada. Many Indigenous communities in these countries are also isolated and lack the resources necessary to develop innovative solutions to their unique challenges, ranging from economic development to preserving cultural heritage.

According to the US Census Bureau, there are an estimated 6.7 million Indigenous people in the United States, comprising over 2% of the population. Similarly, in Canada, Indigenous people make up over 5% of the population, with over 1.7 million Indigenous individuals. These communities often face significant barriers to accessing education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, contributing to a wealth gap and social disparities.

What is your solution?

Our solution, PINSEL, is an online platform that connects Indigenous communities with similar challenges and provides them with tools to build an entrepreneurial and self-reliant community. It uses modern information technology mechanisms such as cloud computing, microservices, and Single Sign-On to create a one-stop-shop platform for learning, services, advice, projects, resources, and fundraising for Indigenous entrepreneurs.

The platform also integrates existing solutions and creates a unique platform for interaction with information, training, services, projects, resources, and other facilities that are developed with third-party solutions. It has a modern interoperability system that can integrate with any existing system and incorporate thousands of applications for document editing, productivity, graphic design, or audiovisual tools.

PINSEL incorporates social media techniques and artificial intelligence to help members find people with similar interests and resources needed for projects, such as information, seed banks for agricultural projects, resources for digital manufacturing, and advice and solutions to create technology centers in communities. The platform also includes a space for e-learning with ready-to-use contents in management, innovation, and the correct use of new technologies.

In summary, PINSEL is a comprehensive platform that provides Indigenous communities with tools to build a community of entrepreneurship and self-reliance. It connects people, processes, resources, and knowledge to help them overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?

Our solution, PINSEL, will serves Indigenous communities in the USA and Canada who are facing similar challenges and lack access to resources, training, and support to develop innovative solutions. Indigenous communities are often underserved and face significant barriers to accessing education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

PINSEL addresses the needs of these communities by providing a comprehensive platform that empowers them with tools to build a community of entrepreneurship and self-reliance. The platform connects people, processes, resources, and knowledge to help them overcome challenges and achieve their goals. It offers access to learning resources, services, advice, projects, resources, and fundraising for Indigenous entrepreneurs.

The impact of PINSEL on the lives of Indigenous communities can be significant. It can help create new economic opportunities, foster cultural preservation, and empower communities to become self-sufficient. The platform can also facilitate the development of skills and knowledge among community members, which can lead to more equitable access to opportunities and resources.

In summary, our solution, PINSEL, serves Indigenous communities in the USA and Canada by addressing their needs for resources, training, and support to develop innovative solutions. The platform can significantly impact their lives by creating new economic opportunities, fostering cultural preservation, and empowering communities to become self-sufficient.

Which Indigenous community(s) does your solution benefit? In what ways will your solution benefit this community?

PINSEL will benefit Indigenous communities in the United States and Canada facing similar challenges, providing them with tools to build an entrepreneurial and self-reliant community. Members of these communities often feel isolated and lack access to resources, training, and support necessary to develop innovative solutions to their unique challenges, which can range from economic development to preserving cultural heritage.

The solution addresses these needs by providing a comprehensive platform that connects Indigenous communities with resources, training, and services. Efforts are being made to understand the needs of the communities through close collaboration and communication with Indigenous leaders and community members. In addition, close collaboration is being conducted with these communities to develop and adapt solutions to their specific needs and goals.

In summary, PINSEL benefits Indigenous communities in the United States and Canada by providing them with information, tools, services, and guidance to build an entrepreneurial and self-reliant community, addressing the specific challenges that these communities face.

How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?

Our team has members with experience in developing solutions, and we have direct support from specialists who understand the issue at hand. We are forming a team that includes working with Indigenous communities in North America, including members of these communities. We are also working closely with Indigenous leaders and community members to understand their unique needs and challenges, as well as to involve them in the design and development of our solution.

The lead team has experience in developing customized technology and business solutions and is committed to working with Indigenous communities to design and deliver a solution that is meaningful and relevant to them. We have established close collaboration with Indigenous communities, involving them in the design and development process, and ensuring that their ideas, needs, and agendas are incorporated into our solution.

Additionally, we are part of a network of entrepreneurs affiliated with technology platforms in the USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, Uruguay, and Brazil.

In summary, our team has the necessary experience and commitment to work effectively with Indigenous communities in North America and to design and deliver a solution that addresses their unique needs and challenges. We are working closely with these communities to ensure that our solution is relevant and meaningful to them.

Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?
  • Support the creation, growth, and success of Indigenous-owned businesses and promote economic opportunity in Indigenous communities.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
USA, New York and Perú, Lima
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
  • Peru
What is your solution’s stage of development?
  • Prototype: A venture or organization building and testing its product, service, or business model, but which is not yet serving anyone
Please share details about what makes your solution a Prototype rather than a Concept.

Our solution has moved beyond the concept phase and we have developed a working prototype with basic functionality. The prototype has been tested with a small group of users, and we have received positive feedback and valuable insights for further development.

Our solution, PINSEL, is currently in the prototype stage. We have developed a basic functioning version of the platform that includes key features such as cloud storage, microservices, and Single Sign-On. Additionally, the platform integrates third-party solutions to provide a comprehensive set of resources, services, and tools for Indigenous entrepreneurs.

The prototype has undergone extensive testing and feedback collection from Indigenous community members and leaders to ensure that it meets their needs and is user-friendly. In the next three months, we plan to launch the next version of the platform with additional features such as contact management, project management, document management, workspace management, event management, and an e-learning platform.

Overall, our solution is a prototype because we have developed a working version of the platform with essential functionality and are continually improving and expanding it to meet the needs of Indigenous communities. We are committed to refining our solution based on community feedback and ensuring that it is a valuable and accessible resource for Indigenous entrepreneurs.


How many people does your solution currently serve?
200
Why are you applying to Solve?

We are applying to Solve because we believe that their network of partners and resources can help us overcome the financial, technical, legal, and cultural barriers we are facing as we develop and scale our solution. Specifically, we are seeking access to funding opportunities, mentorship, and technical support that can help us bring our platform to the next level and reach more Indigenous communities in the US and Canada.

We are also hoping to leverage Solve's extensive network to connect with potential partners and collaborators who can help us refine our solution and tailor it to the specific needs of Indigenous communities. Additionally, we are excited about the opportunity to participate in Solve's community of innovative problem-solvers and engage in cross-disciplinary collaboration with other Solver teams.

Overall, we believe that Solve's mission aligns closely with our own, and we are eager to work with their network of partners to advance our solution and make a meaningful impact in the lives of Indigenous communities.

In which of the following areas do you most need partners or support?
  • Financial (e.g. accounting practices, pitching to investors)
  • Legal or Regulatory Matters
  • Public Relations (e.g. branding/marketing strategy, social and global media)
Who is the Team Lead for your solution?
Alberto Caceda
Please indicate the tribal affiliation of your Team Lead.
Our Team Lead does not have a direct tribal affiliation. However, we do have Nina DeShane from the Nishnabe and Haudenasaunee Metis and Cree communities in Canada who is indigenous and part of those communities.
How is your Team Lead connected to the community or communities in which your project is based?

Our Team Lead is connected to the Indigenous communities that our project aims to benefit through his leadership position in the Plataforma Tecnológica Peruana, an organization based in Peru that is dedicated to developing solutions for social and environmental challenges. He has been instrumental in developing the concept and designing the solution, working closely with Indigenous leaders and community members to understand their unique needs and incorporate their input into our solution. He is committed to ensuring that our solution is developed in close collaboration with the communities we aim to serve, and that their voices and perspectives are fully represented in our work.

More About Your Solution
Your Team
Your Business Model & Funding
Solution Team:
Alberto Caceda
Alberto Caceda
Gerente General - Latin American Professional Network
Yuri Rojas
Yuri Rojas
Antonio Venturo
Antonio Venturo
Senior Software Engineering
ROXANA ANYOLINA AMPA LAURA
ROXANA ANYOLINA AMPA LAURA
Cesar Perea
Cesar Perea