December 1, 2023
Brilliant Ideas: MIT Awards Two Argentinians for Their Groundbreaking Innovations
Leandro Mbarak and Gonzalo F. Coira receive the prestigious Fire Hydrant Award from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Demonstrating exceptional innovation and deep local expertise, two Argentinians have achieved international recognition in the field of technology. Their accomplishments stem from the successful completion of the inaugural Executive Certification Program in Digital Transformation offered by the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Leandro Mbarak and Gonzalo F. Coira were honored with the esteemed Fire Hydrant Award, a distinction reserved for participants who exhibited outstanding leadership and a strong commitment to excellence throughout the program, in alignment with MIT’s core values.
Transforming Real Estate
Gonzalo F. Coira, founder and CEO of PTC, suggested that his team present the PTC platform (“Pedro Te Compra”), a real estate solution he had been developing for over four years. The platform leverages cloud-based services and artificial intelligence to address the first-home ownership crisis, particularly in developing countries.
The PTC project was adapted to align with MIT’s certification standards, incorporating advanced technologies such as generative AI. This AI is capable of answering questions related to legal processes, documentation, taxation, and administrative procedures involved in real estate transactions, simplifying and educating users throughout the property acquisition journey.
Coira is a lawyer, graduate of the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina, specialized in commercial law, contracts, bankruptcy, and insurance. With more than 14 years of experience, he has been involved in numerous liquidation processes across the U.S., Uruguay, and Argentina.
He earned an MBA from IAE Business School, receiving special honors for his final thesis, which focused on converting underutilized urban centers into affordable housing for the middle and lower-middle classes.
He also lived in Detroit, Michigan, where he was part of a corporation dedicated to buying and selling homes for vulnerable populations, restructuring mortgage debt, and facilitating access to homeownership for underserved communities.
The Development of Pharma.ia
Leandro Mbarak, a member of the MIT team, was also recognized for his contributions to PTC, particularly in the area of AI. Additionally, he leveraged MIT’s career development support and the team’s management input to launch a new startup: Pharma.ia.
This innovative company focuses on AI-powered solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, such as intelligent drug leaflets designed to interact with patients, enhancing both their experience and safety throughout treatment.
Mbarak holds a degree in Chemical Sciences from the University of Buenos Aires and a Master’s in Innovation Engineering from the University of Bologna. He lived in Italy for three years, working for the multinational consulting firm CTPSYSTEM, where he became Site Manager. In 2008, he co-founded Latinoamérica Consultores, a firm he has led ever since.
With over 24 years of experience in the pharmaceutical sector across 18+ countries, he has worked in areas ranging from process engineering and improvement to IT system implementation and validation.
Recognizing Excellence
The Fire Hydrant Award celebrates innovation and impact across industries. Receiving this award is a testament to both recipients’ dedication, talent, and vision. Their work with PTC was recognized as a significant contribution to the tech landscape.
Both professionals have distinguished themselves through academic excellence. “What we achieved is the result of blending our knowledge and expertise, propelling our ventures to the global stage,” they affirm.
Both platforms aim to become changemakers in their respective industries—and perhaps even future unicorns. With cutting-edge technology and a user-centric approach, they represent major strides toward democratizing housing access and improving healthcare delivery.
