In January, Marie and Josy went to Mexico to participate in the AIT Mexico Camp 2023. A camp organized by the University of St. Gallen. During one week, they gained insight into Mexican business, innovation, and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Whilst Marie was traveling to do a field assessment in the region of Quintana Roo, Josy was connecting with new stakeholders in Mexico City. Thanks to Josy’s pitch, rrreefs won the AIT Swiss category prize. This helped us gain trust within the Mexican start-up scene and led to a priceless opportunity for us.

 

rrreefs was invited back by AIT Mexico to present our vision at the STS Forum Latin America and the Caribbean High-Level Conference 2023. The conference was hosted by the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the “Agencia Mexicana de Cooperación Internacional para Desarrollo” (AMEXCID).

 

Marie was there to represent us as part of the Start-ups from Switzerland. It was an incredible event, full of fortunate opportunities. We owe this to Dr. Rocío Robinson, Presence Switzerland and the Embassy of Switzerland in Mexico for making the participation in the forum and the exchange happen!

 

After the forum, Marie stayed two more weeks to assess the feasibility of local clay brick production. She met with the team of MANUFACTURA, a multidisciplinary design studio based in Mexico City. They are testing how to make 3D printed clay bricks.

 

Marie also met Mexican NGOs that are active in coral restoration management. That is how she got to know marine scientist Dr. Porfirio Alvarez. He shares our conviction that a rrreefs project should be implemented in Mexico. And he introduced Marie to his friend Juan Barnard, a biologist in Acapulco who installed artificial structures in the ocean 17 years ago. Marie went diving at Isla La Roqueta, to asses the marine ecosystem. We are hoping to give an update on upcoming projects soon.