Last year, Voto Latino launched its Innovators Challenge, a competition for savvy Latinos looking to make a difference in their community with a unique technology-based solution.

Today, through MSNBC, the Latino civics organization announced the nine finalists for that competition, and the half a million dollars in grants and two days of intensive workshops at Google's headquarters that come along with the top prize.

Top Finalists for Voto Latino Innovators Challenge

Alexis Chaet: Specialized Health IT for Latino Migrant Farmworkers

Chaet has designed a video series to improve health for migrant workers in rural Virginia, which will become an informative app that workers can access through tablets installed in five camps throughout the state. Beyond the content being designed specifically for Latino migrant farmworkers, the tablets will be connected to the local community clinic for easy access to professionals.

Ralph Vacca: MiMente, an App for Young At-Risk Latinas

Vacca's entry is an app aimed at teenaged Latinas who might be at risk for emotional or mental problems. The app guides users through emotional regulation exercises, and teenagers can share their progress with friends and mentors also using the apps, or share anonymously. Vacca hopes the app will help build a "virtual support community" though the app and the Latinas it serves.

Alberto A. Altamirano: Cityflag

Altamirano's submission is an app that uses gamification to incentivize interaction between Latinos and their local governments. The app will also include a peer-to-peer social element.

Mayra Jhoana Cruz: MiMentor

Unlike Vacca's similarly-named app, Cruz's website connects Latino students interested in working in healthcare with other Latinos who are already medical professionals in that specific field. Based in San Francisco, MiMentor already boasts 1,000 users in its system, and seeks to use the VL Innovators Challenge grand prize money to grow that network nationally, as well as to include a mobile component through an app.

Eutiquio Chapa: Stanford Latino Entrepreneur Development Program

Chapa is interested in creating a six-week online course for entrepreneurs and business owners, teaching skills and knowledge tailored for Latinos. The course will be packaged in a mobile app.

Marco Perez: Julie Through the System

This app and website is aimed at at-risk, young Latinos to help them naviage through the justice system by being a resource on legal terminology, the process and their rights in the juvenile justice system. Perez's system will tailor information based on demographic information and users' location, providing likelihood of outcomes for each individual.

Sara Inés Calderón: Electa

This app is pure voter turnout, providing voting district information based on location, candidate histories and profiles and a "Yelp" style rating system for representatives. It also provides a method for voters to verify their registration information and includes a social media component.

Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca: Dreamers Roadmap

This is an app that helps undocumented students find information on scholarships, eligibility, and includes push notification reminders for application deadlines.

Stefan Schwinderman: Healthy Women of West Kendall

This is a local health app that encourages healthy living, exercise, and eating decisions by incentivizing users and using push messaging for reminders.

For more information on the VL Innovators Challenge competition, rules and entries, check out our previous coverage here.