The final of the event was held at the university’s Central Campus, located in the Spazio building in zone 15, where the ten finalist teams presented their technological proposals before a high-level jury from private industry.
This first edition of UPANATHON exceeded expectations by mobilizing more than 150 teams in a training and competition process valued at approximately USD $1,500 per participant, which was taught 100% free of charge. Throughout three rigorous phases of learning, validation and strategic communication, high school students designed viable solutions for critical challenges in three major impact areas: health, social development and innovation.
“When young people are given a challenge, tools and confidence, they are capable of building solutions that transform the future. UPANATHON was born as a way to open that opportunity before they reach university, becoming a real bridge between secondary and higher education to enhance the talent that already exists in the interior of the country and in the capital,” highlighted Ana Gabriela de Roche, Director of Communication and Marketing at UPANA.
During the grand final, the students defended their projects through an elevator pitch format and advertising proposals, demonstrating a high capacity for persuasion and critical thinking before a multidisciplinary panel of judges made up of leaders from prestigious firms such as Ogilvy Guatemala, OMD Guatemala, Cementos Progreso, Crédito Hipotecario Nacional (CHN) and TELUS Digital.
This rigorous evaluation process reflects UPANA’s commitment to promoting “Relevant Higher Education”, characterized by anticipating the demands of the future and training professionals who are not only successful, but also act as agents of change capable of facing Guatemala’s challenges with leadership.
The winners of the first edition of UPANATHON
- First place: The Illustration Mixed Private School, of Retalhuleu, made up of: Manuel Mazariegos, Marilyn Amado, Estrella Pons, Alejandra Cruz and Yenner Fuentes. They presented: EMAYA, press play to read your next adventure. An innovative educational solution that seeks to transform the reading comprehension of children and young people through a digital platform accessible from mobile phones, even without an internet connection. Complemented by a recovery model for electronic devices to bring technology to communities with limited access, the proposal stands out for its social impact, viability and scalability potential.
- Second place: Ceti Project, from Chimaltenango, made up of: Moisés Gutiérrez, Edy Pichiya, Oswald Estrada, Dulce Vielman and Angela Jocabed Quino. They presented: Digital Arithmetic C1, is an educational platform designed to strengthen the learning of children with special educational needs in Guatemala. The proposal integrates adaptive software, inclusive digital resources, teacher training and 3D printed tools to improve logical-mathematical reasoning and the teaching of arithmetic, aligned with the National Base Curriculum. Its main strength lies in its high technical and economic viability, with a scalable model capable of benefiting thousands of students in public and private educational centers, promoting inclusion, educational equity and access to quality learning opportunities throughout the country.
- Third place: Colegio Cristiano Verbo, from Quetzaltenango, made up of María Huertas, Anna Luna, Melany Rodas, María Marín and Daniela Sosa. They presented: Manos que Construyen, is a social proposal focused on preventing domestic violence in rural communities in Guatemala through education, support and strengthening healthy relationships between adolescents. The project proposes the implementation of community workshops aimed at young people between 12 and 17 years old, promoting emotional education, equality, peaceful conflict resolution and the prevention of violent behavior. Its strength lies in the coordination with local institutes, community leaders and COCODES, allowing a viable, measurable and sustainable implementation that seeks to break cycles of violence from the roots and contribute to the construction of safer families and communities.
Awards that promote education without borders
The five members of the first-place winning team, along with their manager and their academic mentor from UPANA, received an international academic trip to Spain, where they will make a learning visit to a prestigious allied university of the Universidad Panamericana, in addition to travel suitcases, trophies, medals and diplomas of recognition. For their part, the second and third place creditors were honored with trophies, medals and diplomas accrediting their outstanding participation.
UPANATHON 2026 is a platform for continuous growth. With this initiative, the UPANA Corporation (an institution whose academic processes are supervised by the Council of Higher Private Education) reaffirms its leadership as a pioneer in educational innovation and its commitment to sowing a culture of entrepreneurship in new generations. Through this effort, the university encourages critical thinking and cultivates solid ethical principles in the country’s future leaders, providing them with the necessary skills to actively contribute to the sustainable development of Guatemala.
To learn more about UPANATHON and its upcoming editions, visit: upana.edu.gt/upanathon