A. Social business description

A1. Social mantra one-liner

Communication is one of the fundamental skills of the human being, it allows us to express thoughts, share emotions and connect. However, for many people with hearing or speech disabilities, this communication can be a constant challenge. In a world where inclusion and accessibility are of greater importance, Handslate emerges as an innovative tool that seeks to reduce the communication gap and foster deeper understanding between all people, regardless of their abilities.

A2. Business model overview

This social enterprise was born from the passion for inclusion and technology of four university students from different majors (Monserrat, Metzli, Christian, and Aldair), accompanied by their advisors (Dr. César and Dr. Vicente), to mark a tangible difference in the lives of deaf people.

To address this issue, they established direct contact with the deaf community in Xalapa, Veracruz, gathering valuable feedback and perspectives that guided the development of the Handslate app. This mobile application uses artificial intelligence and pattern recognition to interpret sign language in real-time, offering an innovative and accessible solution for inclusive communication.

Our business model is based on a combination of free download with premium features for a limited time and subsequent monthly or annual subscription for business use the cost for businesses is considered the size of the company: small $1,575 (one thousand 5 hundred a seventy five), medium $2,175 (two thousand hundred seventy five) and large $3,075 (three thousand seventy five) in Mexican pesos.

A3. Growth potential

Preliminary results of the project show positive acceptance among users, a reduction in communication barriers, and growing interest in the application. Additionally, the project has become a social enterprise focused on social impact, collaboration with the deaf community, and promoting a culture of inclusion and diversity.

This social enterprise is considered a vital tool for inclusion, and equality and an inspiring example of how technology can be used to generate a positive and lasting social impact on society, aspiring to be social engineer who transform the system by creating new ways of technology-mediated communication.

Through exhaustive and collaborative research, they identified the need to improve communication for the more than 2.3 million people with hearing disabilities in Mexico (INEGI, 2020), where there is a limitation of certified interpreters in Mexican Sign Language (LSM). , around one for every 127 thousand deaf people (Michoacán State Congress, 2021).

B.  Resources and capabilities to execute

B1. Key capitals

In today’s dynamic and competitive business world, a company’s success is not only measured by its products or services but also by the intangible assets it possesses. These assets, often invisible, but deeply valuable,  determine the resilience, innovation capacity, and long-term sustainability of any organization. At Handslate, it stands out that human, intellectual, manufactured, financial, and relational capital are fundamental pillars for growth and sustainability. Each plays a crucial role in promoting inclusion and accessibility in communication.

Human Capital: The interaction of human capital at Handslate is essential to its success. The process begins with a software developer, who designs and programs the application using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. Its goal is to ensure accurate and efficient interpretation of sign language. This professional works to create intuitive and accessible interfaces that facilitate the use of the application for both deaf and hearing people.

Intellectual and product capital: Intellectual capital is a vital intangible asset that encompasses the knowledge, skills, innovations, and capabilities of an organization. At Handslate, intellectual capital interacts synergistically with the other pillars of human, industrial, and relational capital, playing a central role in the development and execution of the mission to promote inclusion and accessibility in communication

It is manifested through technological innovation, in which the support of the accumulated knowledge and the specialized skills of the team allows the development of advanced and effective solutions for accessible communication. From sign recognition algorithms to intuitive user interfaces, the interaction of intellectual capital with Handslate is reflected in the capacity for continuous improvement. This cycle of learning and adaptation is essential to maintaining relevance and effectiveness in a constantly evolving technological and social environment.

Financial Capital: At Handslate, economic capital is not only an engine for growth but also a critical support for the mission of facilitating communication for the deaf community through advanced technologies.

The investment received is strategically allocated for the research and development of technological solutions, ensuring that they are at the forefront of accessibility and usability. This includes continuous improvement of software and hardware, as well as expansion of capabilities to meet growing market demands and the specific needs of our users.

Social Capital: Social capital in the context of an application like Handslate, is essential to establishing and maintaining meaningful relationships with various stakeholders. This type of capital refers to the connections, networks, and alliances the company forms with other key actors to improve its operation and maximize its social impact.

First and foremost, Handslate engages with the deaf community, working to understand their needs and continually improve the app. This includes collecting direct feedback from deaf users on the usability and accuracy of sign language interpretation, which is crucial to adjusting and optimizing the technology according to the real needs of the community.

B2. Business traction

Handslate’s target market is public places such as:

• Food and beverage establishments.
• Lodging establishments.
• Business establishments.
• Educational institutions.
• Government sector
• Telecommunications sector
• Leisure, sports and entertainment services
• Media
• Public services (firefighters, police, among others)
• Cultural sector
• Legal sectors

According to the DENUE 2022, it indicates in Mexico there are 674,826 (six hundred sixty-four thousand eight hundred twenty-six) economic units dedicated to food preparation services, temporary accommodation 701,629 (seven hundred one thousand six hundred twenty-nine) economic units, 148,550 (one hundred forty-eight thousand five hundred fifty institutions dedicated to educational services, judicial and legal services 31,050 (thirty one thousand fifty); for media 20,312 (twenty thousand three hundred twelve); for the government sector there are 65,995 (sixty-five thousand nine hundred ninety-five), for organizations and associations 112,613 (one hundred twelve thousand six hundred thirteen).

Therefore, to perform optimally in the potential market, Handsate has developed a prototype of its application for sign language interpretation, which has been successfully presented to two important organizations: the Employers’ Confederation of the Mexican Republic (COPARMEX) and the National Chamber of the Processing Industry (CANACINTRA). Both entities have provided extremely positive and constructive feedback, highlighting the relevance and potential social impact of the developed technology.

B3. Risk management

The development of the Handslate application faces risks such as the accuracy of the recognition of phonemes constituted by configuration, position, orientation of the hands, speed, and direction of the hands, and facial expressions, which would guarantee the ability to accurately recognize the gestures of sign language, given that they can vary depending on the region or the individual themselves, which leads to the development of robust and precise recognition algorithms for the effectiveness of the social innovation project.

Another issue is accessibility for all deaf people, as they have different levels of abilities and needs, this includes ensuring the user interface is easy to understand and navigate, as well as providing customization options to suit the individual preferences of the users.

C. ESG performance

C1. Overall impacts on the society and environment   

To measure the achievement of Handslate’s goals, it is important to consider a variety of environmental, social, and economic indicators that reflect its impact and performance. Below are some relevant indicators for each category:

Environmental indicators:

• Energy Consumption: Measure the energy consumption of the servers and devices associated with the application, as well as the use of renewable energy.
• Electronic Waste Management: Monitoring the amount of electronic equipment recycled and disposed of properly at the end of its useful life.
• Carbon Footprint: Calculate greenhouse gas emissions related to the company’s operation.
• Use of Natural Resources: Evaluate the use of materials and natural resources in the supply chain and the development and maintenance of the app.

Social Indicators:

• Accessibility: Measure the degree of accessibility of the application in the deaf community, including ease of use and user satisfaction.
• Impact on the Deaf Community: Evaluate how the application improves the quality of life and social inclusion of the deaf community, through surveys and qualitative studies.

Economic indicators:

• Number of active users: Measure the number of users who regularly interact with the application.
• Abandonment rate: Measure the percentage of users who stop using the application in a given period,
• Revenue and Profitability: Track the revenue generated by the application through subscriptions, as well as the profitability.
• Investment in Research and Development: Evaluate the investment in innovation and continuous improvement of the application.
• Market Growth: Analyze the growth of the application’s user base and market penetration over time.
• Impact on Employment: Measure the creation of direct and indirect employment related to the development, maintenance, and promotion of the app.

C2. Governance structure   

At Handslate, governance is critical to guiding operations and strategic decisions with a clear focus on accessibility and inclusion. The company is firmly committed to providing innovative solutions that facilitate communication for the deaf community.

The organizational structure designed through an organizational chart promotes efficiency and transparency. As well as the participation of stakeholders, including the deaf community and relevant organizations, which, through a collaborative approach, ensure that the solutions not only meet the highest standards of technological quality but also respond to the needs of real users.

In addition, compliance with all applicable legal and ethical regulations is contemplated, protecting users’ privacy and promoting responsible business practices.

D. Learning curve