Federal Express Corporation, the world’s largest express transportation company, is proud to announce that Sacky JA, a company created by students from ISM in Quito, Ecuador, has won the 2026 De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award. Sacky JA had previously been crowned champion of the regional Junior Achievement Company of the Year competition, one of the world’s most recognized youth entrepreneurship education experiences. The company also holds the distinction of being the first student company from Junior Achievement Americas to win the global grand prize, marking a milestone for Ecuador and the entire region.
“Sacky JA’s success is an inspiring example of how youth entrepreneurship drives change and creates a brighter future. This achievement also reflects the value of partnerships that promote innovation and the development of new business leaders, helping generate opportunities for economic growth across countries in Latin America,” said Rakesh Shalia, Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Customer Experience for FedEx Latin America and the Caribbean, and a member of the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement Americas.
In the global final, the Ecuadorian team competed against regional champions from Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, standing out for its innovation and its ability to turn an idea into a real-world solution.
“Stories like Sacky JA’s show the enormous potential young people have when they are given the opportunity to create, experiment, and lead. It is not only about developing entrepreneurs, but also about empowering young people to transform their communities,” said Nöel Zemborain, President of Junior Achievement Americas.
In response to the growing use of disposable packaging in school lunches, which contributes to plastic waste, Sacky JA developed reusable lunch boxes made from recycled plastic bottles and illustrated with Ecuadorian wildlife. The initiative aims to promote healthy habits and environmental awareness from an early age, while also encouraging recognition and appreciation of the country’s biodiversity.
“Many believe that because we are young, we lack experience. But what we have is initiative, creativity and, above all, hope. At Sacky JA, we showed that when passion meets sustainability, the impact becomes real and measurable,” the team said during the global final.
Sacky JA’s victory positions Ecuador at the center of the global youth entrepreneurship ecosystem and highlights the impact ahead as Quito prepares to host the next Company of the Year competition, which FedEx supports every year. The event will bring together the top ventures from Junior Achievement’s international platform, where young people between the ages of 16 and 18, work alongside business volunteers to launch companies that offer innovative products and services while developing key skills such as leadership, teamwork and business management.