Now that the Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge 2022 winners have been officially announced, you'll want to learn more about each winning team and the story behind each innovation. The Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge is an online competition that awards cash prizes to early-stage tech entrepreneurs solving the world's toughest problems. Since 2017, the competition has awarded$3.25 million USD to 78 start-ups from 25 countries.

We are excited for you to learn more about the 2022 winning teams addressing some of the biggest challenges we face through technology-based solutions.

In response to the growing urgency to reverse climate change, we introduced five new Climate Impact and Regeneration prizes totaling$300,000 USD. These prizes recognize solutions that can reduce or remove greenhouse gas (GHG) from the environment or regenerate depleted ecosystems.

Meet Unergy, a start-up based out of Colombia that won a$50,000 USD Climate Impact & Regeneration Runner-Up Prize. Their solution assists companies and organizations that are looking to convert to clean energy, but find it cost-prohibitive, by providing an easy platform for them to connect with investors who are eager to fund clean energy projects in developing markets.

I sat down with Eduardo Ospina, the CEO and co-founder of Unergy, and Natalia Isaza, Unergy's Chief Content Officer. They shared how they are trying to democratize the fight against climate change, how Unergy thrived during the pandemic, and their passion for marrying technology and sustainability.

What problem is your technology solution trying to solve? Can you explain how the solution works?

Eduardo:I think the biggest work for humanity right now is the fight against climate change. Currently, the world needs more than$2.4 trillion of investment into clean energy to avoid a climate disaster. However, even with all the work that is being done around the world today, the current level of investment only amounts to about 30 percent of that number.

We have seen that, in Latin America, and in other emerging markets, there is a big necessity for liquidity to finance clean energy projects. For example, solar energy has a high return rate and good metrics to become a reality, but organizations have been unable to afford it. Frequently, companies that say they want to invest in clean energy find that investment costs are too high.

On the other hand, we see a lot of people like us at Unergy that have the liquidity and the desire to finance clean energy projects, but don't have an easy way to do it. So, Unergy joins these two different groups to solve the problem by connecting organizations who want to invest in clean energy with people to put money into their projects. It allows us to democratize and decentralize energy. For example, with Unergy, someone located in the United States or elsewhere will be able to invest in clean energy projects for companies in Latin America or in other emerging markets.

Natalia:Through our technology, we allow any person to be a part of supporting energy transformation around the world. We allow the opportunity for people to spend money on clean energy not just in Colombia, but everywhere.

What inspired you to develop this solution?

Eduardo:I started the company with my two partners, Nicol