Eduardo Mateo Morales Gómez

Mateo is an Indigenous social innovator, technologist, and environmental advocate from Yaruquí, a rural Kichwa community near Quito, Ecuador. Rooted in his cultural heritage and lived experience with poverty, deforestation, and systemic marginalization, Mateo has dedicated his life to building a more equitable and sustainable future for Indigenous and rural communities across Latin America.

As the founder of Asociación Latinoamericana Ímpetu, he has led over 50 high-impact projects that blend ancestral knowledge with cutting-edge technology. From installing solar panels for off-grid Amazonian communities to launching “Raíces”, a rural-urban economic bridge connecting Indigenous artisans and farmers to city consumers, Mateo works at the intersection of sustainability, cultural preservation, and digital innovation. His initiative “Green Helmets” restores green spaces in urban areas, and partnerships with organizations like UNICEF Ecuador elevate the voices of vulnerable youth.

Mateo believes that the future of humanity—and particularly Indigenous self-determination—depends on our ability to integrate sustainable development with artificial intelligence and inclusive economics. He is especially focused on creating AI-driven tools that empower farmers with real-time crop diagnostics, financial advice, and access to new markets through a digital marketplace. He aims to combine deep learning research with economic strategy to develop scalable solutions for agricultural and economic resilience in underserved regions.

With a long-term vision to transform agriculture, strengthen Indigenous economies, and preserve cultural and environmental heritage, Mateo exemplifies a new generation of leaders building bridges between tradition and technology.