Photo of Lucas Lima

Computer & electronics hardware

Lucas Lima

Democratizing technology for the favela.

Year Honored
2023

Region
Brazil

3D printing is becoming a revolutionary tool for social good projects around the world. This innovative technology offers the ability to quickly and economically produce prototypes, customized medical devices, accessible housing, and even affordable prosthetics. In underprivileged communities and humanitarian aid initiatives, 3D printing is enabling creative, cost-effective solutions to complex problems.  

In this space, Infill, a company founded by Lucas Lima, was launched in 2018 with the goal of democratizing technology for the favela. The company began by building 3D printers out of electronic scrap in Lucas' own bedroom. Gradually, it became a 3D printer factory-school, training local people and impacting the region. Within this scenario, Lucas worked at Gerando Falcões, where he developed the João de Barro Project, born out of a desire to urbanize Brazil's favelas. The mission is to effectively build houses using 3D printing at low cost and with cutting-edge technology. The project has the production capacity to print a house of up to 60m² in 48 hours in its final version.

Lucas is a mechanical engineer who won the Pop Prize at the Shell Iniciativa Jovem business fair, was one of 15 entrepreneurs selected for the Ambev start-up acceleration program, was honored with the ODS Partner Award, and was a TEDx speaker. In 2022, he appeared on the Top 50 Young Global Changers list, where there were only five Brazilians.