What if the most powerful deal on Shark Tank México wasn’t about profit, but about giving a voice to thousands who live in silence?
In 2016, Dilo en Señas, an educational app created to teach Mexican Sign Language (LSM) to children and families, appeared before the Sharks. But unlike most pitches chasing valuation and funding, the creators had one goal: accessibility for all.
Their reward was a 0% equity deal from Arturo Elías Ayub, backed by Fundación Carlos Slim. With that decision, a mission was born to spread sign language knowledge across Mexico, for free and forever.
What Is Dilo en Señas?
Dilo en Señas is more than an app. It’s a social impact project aimed at solving a deep-rooted problem: the lack of access to early language development for deaf children in Mexico. Over 90% of deaf children in the country are born into hearing families. Many of those families have little or no knowledge of Mexican Sign Language (LSM), which causes a significant delay in communication skills, learning, and emotional development.
The app was created to break this cycle. Through interactive games and visual lessons, Dilo en Señas helps both children and adults learn basic LSM vocabulary in a fun and approachable way. It builds a vital bridge of communication between hearing and deaf people, especially within families where that bridge has never existed.
The Founders: Rocío Garza & José Gerardo Monsivais
The project was co-founded by Rocío Garza Gutiérrez, an expert in inclusive education, and José Gerardo Monsivais, a Deaf professional who became the face of the app’s real-life impact. Their partnership began at CEMEX, one of Mexico’s largest companies, where Rocío worked and Gerardo joined the team as a deaf employee.
Rocío quickly noticed how the company, like much of the country, was not equipped to support deaf professionals. This sparked her journey into deeper research, where she uncovered the systemic exclusion faced by deaf people. She later pursued a doctorate in inclusive education and teamed up with Gerardo to do something bold and necessary: create a tool that would allow deaf children, parents, and educators to learn and connect through sign language.
The Shark Tank México Deal That Made History
When Rocío and Gerardo appeared on Shark Tank México in 2016, they asked for MXN 900,000 in exchange for 45% equity in their project. It was a big ask, but what they received instead was even bigger.
Arturo Elías Ayub, representing Fundación Carlos Slim, offered to give them the full amount without taking any equity in return. The only condition was that the app must always remain free to the public.
The offer was unprecedented on the show. It wasn’t just financial support. Rocío also received a scholarship to attend a business academy where she could explore nonprofit growth strategies and sustainability models. Arturo’s team also helped them connect with top officials in Mexico’s health and education sectors. These connections paved the way for broader institutional support and exposure.
In the months that followed, Telcel, one of the country’s largest telecom providers under Slim’s umbrella, helped distribute the app through thousands of mobile phones. This significantly expanded its reach to communities across the country.
From App to National Movement
The app that started with simple flashcard-style lessons evolved into a national educational tool called Dilo en Señas – El Origen. It teaches 89 essential signs through everyday vocabulary categories such as family, food, animals, colors, toys, numbers, and the alphabet.
The interface is simple and inclusive. Users watch video demonstrations of signs, then match them to the correct word or image. There’s a learning mode for quiet practice and a game mode that includes vibration feedback to signal correct answers. This is a subtle but effective feature for children who may not yet know how to read. Although designed with children in mind, the app is used by parents, teachers, healthcare workers, and even teens who want to better communicate with deaf peers.
Recognizing the serious communication gaps in healthcare, the Dilo en Señas team launched additional tools. Kofy is an app designed to help doctors and nurses explain procedures, prescriptions, and follow-up care in LSM. TECuido and Phil are platforms that help simplify hospital visits and emergency instructions for deaf patients. These are not just educational tools; they are potentially life-saving innovations that reduce misdiagnosis and mistreatment due to communication breakdowns.
The Impact: Measurable and Meaningful
Since its launch, Dilo en Señas has reached more than 44,000 people through its mobile apps, workshops, courses, and community outreach programs. Over 1,700 learners have received formal training, and more than 200 instructors with disabilities have been equipped to teach others in their communities.
Their videos and social media campaigns have gathered more than 2 million views, sparking important national conversations about deaf inclusion, accessibility, and the right to language. These numbers are important, but the real success lies in the stories of children finally able to communicate with their families, parents learning to sign for the first time, and schools adopting inclusive practices thanks to the app.
Rocío Garza Gutiérrez: The Visionary Behind the Mission
Rocío continues to lead the initiative as co-founder and director of Dilo en Señas A.C., the nonprofit organization formed to manage and grow the platform. Her journey, from observing workplace inequality to building a national social innovation, has been recognized across the country.
In 2024, she received the Premio Mujer Tec in the Entrepreneurship category. This award is given to women who create transformational change, and Rocío’s work clearly fits the bill. She has not only changed the way people view deaf education but has also inspired a new generation of socially driven entrepreneurs in Mexico.
How Dilo en Señas Remains Free and Sustainable
Although the app is free and will always remain so, the team behind Dilo en Señas has built a clever and sustainable model to support its ongoing work.
They offer paid workshops, private courses, and certification programs for educators, institutions, and companies looking to become more inclusive. Their online store sells printed learning materials such as LSM flashcards and classroom kits. They also partner with government bodies, NGOs, and social enterprises to fund new app features and educational outreach.
Instead of relying solely on donations or grants, the nonprofit operates with a hybrid model that uses revenue from services and partnerships to fuel its mission while keeping the core tools accessible to all.
How Dilo en Señas Stands Out in the Market
There are other sign language apps on the market, such as Intersign, which offers visual dictionaries, and HandTalk, which uses AI avatars to translate into ASL or Libras (Brazilian Sign Language). However, Dilo en Señas stands out for its laser focus on Mexican Sign Language (LSM), and its direct collaboration with the Deaf Community of Nuevo León to validate every sign used in the app.
While competitors may focus on scale or profit, Dilo en Señas remains rooted in cultural accuracy, inclusivity, and education. Its tools are specifically designed for children, parents, and professionals who want to build real-life communication rather than simply memorize signs.
What’s Next for Dilo en Señas?
The future looks promising. The team is working on expanding the app with new content that includes greetings, common expressions, and more complex conversation scenarios. There are also early discussions about adapting the model for other Latin American sign languages, which could allow for regional expansion across Spanish-speaking countries.
In addition, Dilo en Señas continues to strengthen its partnerships with schools, clinics, and nonprofits. The goal is to make LSM not just a subject you learn online but a living, everyday language in public life, healthcare, and education.
Conclusion
So, did Dilo en Señas take off after Shark Tank? Absolutely. Though not in the way most startups measure success. This was never about profits, app downloads, or valuations. This was about changing lives.
Thanks to a rare 0% equity deal, a visionary founder, and a community-led mission, Dilo en Señas has helped thousands of children, parents, and educators unlock the power of sign language. It has become one of Mexico’s most heartening stories of tech meeting purpose. It is a reminder that the most valuable currency in business isn’t always money.
Sometimes, it’s impact.
Want to Support or Learn from Dilo en Señas?
You can download their main app, Dilo en Señas – El Origen, for free on both Android and iOS platforms. Their website also offers learning materials, workshops, and success stories from across Mexico. If you’re a parent, educator, or organization looking to build more inclusive spaces, Dilo en Señas is a powerful place to start.
Visit diloensenas.org to explore the full range of tools and opportunities.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
Dilo en Señas made history on Shark Tank México with a 0% equity deal to stay free forever. It became a national movement to teach Mexican Sign Language, empower deaf children, and reshape accessibility in education and healthcare.
FAQs
Is Dilo en Señas still active in 2025?
Yes, Dilo en Señas is still active and growing. It now includes a second app called “Kofy,” which helps with medical communication in Mexican Sign Language.
Did Dilo en Señas get a deal on Shark Tank México?
Yes, Rocío Garza received support from Arturo Elías Ayub, who offered 900,000 pesos and monthly salaries without asking for equity, to ensure the app remains free forever.
Is Dilo en Señas a business or nonprofit?
Dilo en Señas operates as a nonprofit under the organization “Dilo en Señas A.C.,” focused on inclusive education rather than generating profit.
Who is the founder of Dilo en Señas?
The founder is Rocío Garza Gutiérrez, a Mexican entrepreneur and educator who created the app to support deaf children. She continues to lead the project today.
Where can I download Dilo en Señas?
Dilo en Señas and its companion app Kofy are available for free on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and Huawei AppGallery.
Is Dilo en Señas only for children?
While the original app was designed for children, the project has expanded to cover broader audiences, including healthcare professionals and adults learning LSM through the Kofy app.
How many people use Dilo en Señas?
As of the latest updates, Dilo en Señas has reached over 44,000 users through its apps, workshops, and educational programs.