SOCIAL IMPACT ACCELERATION
SOCIAL IMPACT ACCELERATION
A. Social business description
A1. Social mantra one-liner
A2. Social impact clarity and significance
This social enterprise was born from the passion for inclusion and technology of four university students from different careers (Monserrat, Metzli, Christian, and Aldair), accompanied by their advisors (Dr. César and Dr. Vicente), to make 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 application. 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.
Handslate’s vision is to contribute to the reduction of communication barriers by promoting the inclusion of deaf people and its mission is to provide better communication for deaf people by promoting their inclusion and social recognition.
Contributing to the goals of sustainable development 9 industry, innovation, and infrastructure and 10 reduction of inequalities.
This social enterprise is seen as 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 engineers who transform the system by creating new forms of communication mediated by technology.
A3. Solution effectiveness and ESG integration
To measure compliance with 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 servers and devices associated with the application, as well as the use of renewable energy.
- Electronic Waste Management: Track the amount of electronic equipment recycled and properly disposed of at the end of its useful life.
- Carbon Footprint: Calculate greenhouse gas emissions related to the company’s operation.
- Natural Resource Use: Evaluate the use of materials and natural resources in the supply chain and in the development and maintenance of the application.
Social Indicators:
- Accessibility: measure the degree of accessibility of the app in the Deaf community, including ease of use and user satisfaction.
- Impact on the Deaf Community: Evaluate how the app improves the quality of life and social inclusion of the Deaf community, through surveys and qualitative studies.
At Handslate, governance is critical to guide operations and strategic decisions with a clear focus on accessibility and inclusion. The company is strongly committed to the mission of 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 stakeholder involvement, including the deaf community and relevant organizations, which, through a collaborative approach, ensures that solutions not only meet the highest standards of technological quality, but also respond to the real needs of users.
B. Social impact acceleration
B1. Mechanisms to accelerate impacts
Preliminary results of the project show a positive acceptance among users, a reduction of communication barriers and a growing interest in the application. In addition, the project has become a social venture focused on social impact, collaboration with the deaf community as well as the promotion of a culture of inclusion and diversity.
This social venture is seen as 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 engineers who transform the system by creating new forms of communication mediated by technology.
One of our main purposes is to benefit the deaf community by including actions such as free sign language courses, in addition to promoting the inclusion of the deaf in public spaces.
To address this issue, we established direct contact with the deaf community in Xalapa, Veracruz, and gathered valuable feedback and perspectives that guided the development of the Handslate application.
We have the flexibility to integrate our technology with other platforms and are looking for Handslate to increase the number of sign languages and languages available.
B2. Financial stability and profitability
The investment received is strategically allocated for research and development of technology solutions, ensuring that they are at the forefront of accessibility and usability. This includes the continuous improvement of software and hardware, as well as the expansion of capabilities to meet the growing demands of the market and the specific needs of our users.
With the initial investment, the development of the app has begun
B3. Team and leadership
In the Handslate team, Monserrat, Metzli, Christian and Aldair are university students who come from different disciplines: Business Management, Administration, Administrative Computer Systems and Accounting, respectively. Although their fields of study are different, they share a common passion for inclusion and technology. This shared interest has united them in an effort to address the difficulties faced by deaf people in communication.
Monserrat and Metzli bring their expertise in management and administration to ensure that the project is executed effectively and efficiently, while Christian uses his background in computer systems to develop and optimize the technology behind the application. Aldair, with his background in accounting, contributes to the financial structure and sustainability of the project. Together, these students not only apply their technical skills, but are also committed to creating a solution that improves communication and inclusion for the deaf community.
The team is mentored by Drs. Cesar and Vicente, who provide expert guidance and support based on their experience and knowledge in the field. The students and their advisors have observed the difficulties of deaf people to communicate in a world that is not designed to be accessible. This shared experience has motivated the team to work on a technological solution that not only facilitates communication, but also promotes greater inclusion in society.
The combination of their different specializations and their commitment to the cause of inclusion creates a solid foundation for Handslate’s development and success, making the team an example of interdisciplinary collaboration towards a common goal.
B4. Partnership and collaboration
Handslate’s target market is public places such as:
- Food and beverage establishments.
- Lodging establishments.
- Commercial establishments.
- Educational institutions.
- Government sector
- Telecommunications sector
- Leisure, sports and entertainment services
- Media
- Public services (fire, police, among others)
- Cultural sector
- Legal sectors
According to the DENUE 2022, it indicates that there are 674,826 economic units dedicated to food preparation services, temporary accommodation 701,629 economic units, 148,550 institutions dedicated to educational services, judicial and legal services 31,050; for media 20,312; for the government sector there are 65,995, and for organizations and associations 112,613.
So, 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) composed of more than 1500 companies and the National Chamber of the Transformation Industry (CANACINTRA) with 78 delegations throughout the country. Both entities have provided extremely positive and constructive feedback, highlighting the relevance and potential social impact of the technology developed we also met with the inclusion area of the largest university in the southeast of Mexico they provided us with information for the improvement and impact of the market.
C. ESG reporting
C1. Measurement and reporting
ESG Measurement – Environmental Indicators:
- Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions: Measure the amount of CO2 and other GHGs emitted by the company
- Energy Consumption: Assess the use of renewable and non-renewable energy
- Natural Resource Use: Monitor the consumption of water, wood, and other natural resources – Social Indicators:
- Diversity and Inclusion: Measure representation of different demographic groups within the company
- Labor Conditions: Assess employee satisfaction and working conditions
- Community Impact: Measure contributions to the community and social responsibility initiatives
– Governance Indicators:
- Board Structure: Assess diversity and independence of board members Ethics and Compliance: Monitor ethics and compliance policies within the company
- Transparency: Measure clarity and accessibility of financial and operational information.
Handslate implements a PwC report: PwC Spain has developed a detailed report that addresses the challenges of corporate governance and sustainability, providing a comprehensive framework for ESG4 reporting.
C2. Compliance with ESG standards and frameworks
Standards and Frameworks Used:
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): Handslate uses the GRI guidelines to report its environmental, social, and governance impacts. This includes measuring carbon emissions, energy, and water consumption, as well as diversity and inclusion initiatives
Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB): The company also follows SASB standards to provide relevant information to investors on sustainability and related financial risks
Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD): Handslate reports its climate change-related risks and opportunities following TCFD recommendations.
ISO 26000 is an international guideline that helps organizations integrate social responsibility into their operations. Although it is not a certifiable standard, its implementation has several important benefits:
- Improved reputation: Organizations that follow ISO 26000 guidelines are often seen as more responsible and ethical, which improves their public image and their relationship with stakeholders.
- Competitiveness: Adopting socially responsible practices can differentiate a company from its competitors, attracting customers and partners who value sustainability.
- Sustainability: The standard promotes practices that contribute to sustainable development, such as environmental protection and respect for human rights
- 4. Internal improvement: Implementing ISO 26000 can help improve internal processes and organizational culture, fostering a more ethical and responsible work environment.
D. Learning curve
In short, the Handslate project stems from the passion for inclusion and technology of four university students from different undergraduate degrees, accompanied by their advisors, with the goal of making a tangible difference in the lives of deaf people. Through exhaustive and collaborative research, they identified the need to improve communication for the hearing impaired in Mexico, where there is a shortage of certified Mexican Sign Language (LSM) interpreters.
Recently, Monserrat, one of the team members, had the opportunity to share the project at a meeting of the Confederación Patronal de la República Mexicana (COPARMEX) in the region of Xalapa, Veracruz. He commented that prior to this presentation, significant adjustments were made to align the narrative with the recommendations received from the first and second coaching rounds 1 and 2 of Social Business Creation (SBC).
In her presentation, she shared a personal reflection based on her experience as a waitress, highlighting the concern for accessibility for deaf people in service contexts.
Likewise, there is positive feedback obtained from the Confederación Patronal de la República Mexicana (COPARMEX) and the Cámara Nacional de la Industria de la Transformación (CANACINTRA) being a crucial factor in the validation and success of the project. These entities, representative of the business world, have recognized not only the social value of Handslate, but also its potential to generate a significant economic impact.
They have praised the effectiveness and accessibility of the application, highlighting how it facilitates communication between deaf and hearing people. This recognition reinforces confidence in the ability to create positive change in society. In addition, the positive feedback validates the direct benefit for users, who find Handslate an indispensable tool in various spheres of daily life.
Innovative startup achievements include:
– 2nd place in the 2023-2024 onCampus Program by Hult Prize competition – 1st place in the Entrepreneurship Fair category Social Impact of the Faculty of Accounting and Administration 2024.
– 9th place in the “Impactful Social Business Idea” Award – 8th place in the “Innovative social business model – global award”
Ultimately, social entrepreneurship represents more than an application: it is 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, seeking to be social engineers changing the system by generating new ways of communication mediated by technology.