The Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year Awards is an annual list of the top innovators driving global, regional and industry agendas to improve the state of the world. The 2014 list of 30 entrepreneurs includes two Endeavor Entrepreneurs from Mexico – Javier Lozano, co-founder of Clinicas del Azucar, and Patrick Struebi, founder of Fairtrasa. This honor demonstrates the impact of Endeavor Entrepreneurs in the social sector and the increasing global recognition of entrepreneurs working to transform under-served communities.
Javier co-founded Clinicas del Azucar (“Sugar Clinics”) with fellow entrepreneur Fernanda Zorrilla in order to serve diabetes patients in Mexico, where the disease claims the lives of tens of thousands each year. The chain of low-cost diabetes management clinics aims to address issues of prevention, treatment and awareness in low-income communities where proper care is often lacking. The Clinicas have reduced patients’ annual costs by 70% and lowered diabetes complication rates by 60%, addressing a critical socioeconomic issue with an innovative healthcare model. Since joining the Endeavor network at the 50th ISP in 2013, the entrepreneurs have been active in sessions with Endeavor mentors, developing a strategy to improve and expand upon their business model.
Patrick left the corporate sector after almost a decade in order to start Fairtrasa, a fair trade and organic produce company based in Michoacan, Mexico. Fairtrasa works with hundreds of small farmers in Mexico and other emerging economies in Latin America to produce and distribute high-quality organic and fair trade fruits, wine, and spices in international markets at reasonable prices. The social enterprise aims to help small farmers out of poverty while opening the global market to local goods, equipping its network with financial capital, training programs and technical support. Since his selection at the 39th ISP in 2011, Patrick has received custom advisory from Endeavor’s Venture Corps network while also regularly participating in leadership and fundraising events.
Other Endeavor Entrepreneurs who have been honored by the Foundation in past years include Mois Cherem of Mexico’s ENOVA, Felipe Vergara of Colombia’s Lumni, and Bedriye Hülya of Turkey’s B-Fit. View the full list of 2014 Awardees by clicking here.
Watch the Awards ceremony at the World Economic Forum on Latin America (April 1st – 3rd) in Panama City:
