80 connections for innovation were made at the Fusióni3 Valle Connection Meetings
The Fusióni3 Valle project celebrates the development of the Connection Encounters, a two-day face-to-face event, in which 80 connections were achieved between the 20 beneficiary MSMEs and researchers from the five allied universities: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali, Universidad Autónoma de Occidente, Universidad del Valle, Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali and Universidad Icesi, which represents a step forward in the search for innovative solutions for the business challenges of technological innovation.
A space for dialogue and collaboration
Diana Isabel Riveros, director of the Javerian Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Pontifical Javeriana University in Cali, highlighted the importance of generating a common language between both sectors.
“We hosted the Connection Meetings, an inspiring space, because it allowed us to build trust so that projects could take place. The fact that there were 80 connections between entrepreneurs and researchers is something extremely important for Valle del Cauca, especially with such important challenges as those that are part of Fusióni3 Valle,” he stated.
“I loved the dynamic. I met with colleagues and professors, and it was a very interesting experience to be able to tell them about the challenge, have them question it, and help us enrich it with ideas and other paths to its solution,” the businesswoman said.
For their part, the researchers appreciated that at the Encounters they were able to approach real problems, which are sometimes not easy to access in the academic field.
“I’m leaving with connections. I met with three companies, and all three were very motivated to continue working and developing projects, even incorporating the strengths of other researchers,” said Claudia Isabel Ochoa, director of the School of Food Engineering at Universidad del Valle.
Likewise, Armando Mejía, Research Coordinator of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of San Buenaventura Cali, highlighted the university’s interest in contributing to SMEs at the process and product level.
“Fusióni3 Valle presents extremely stimulating challenges at the scientific and technological level. Everyone was very open to listening to us, so we have a great interest in continuing until we reach a successful conclusion with developments that serve as a timely transfer of knowledge,” he assured.
“La dinámica me encantó. Me encontré con colegas, profesores y fue una experiencia muy interesante al poder contarles el reto, que lo cuestionaran y nos ayudaran a enriquecerlo con ideas y otros caminos para su solución”, indicó la empresaria.
Por su parte, los investigadores valoraron que en los Encuentros pudieron acercarse a problemas reales, a los cuales, en ocasiones, no es fácil acceder en el ámbito académico.
“Me voy con conexiones. Estuve con tres empresas y las tres se vieron muy motivados en seguir trabajando y armar los proyectos, incluso con las fortalezas de otros investigadores”, expresó Claudia Isabel Ochoa, directora de Escuela de Ingeniería de Alimentos de la Universidad del Valle.
Igualmente, Armando Mejía, coordinador de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Ingeniería de la Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali, resaltó el interés de la universidad en aportar a las MiPymes a nivel de procesos y productos.
“Fusióni3 Valle tiene retos supremamente estimulantes a nivel científico y tecnológico. Todos fueron muy abiertos al escucharnos, por lo que tenemos un gran interés de continuar hasta llegar a feliz término con desarrollos que sirvan como transferencia puntual de conocimiento”, aseguró.
Opportunity to boost innovation
The connections established at the Fusióni3 Valle Connection Meetings are a prelude to submitting projects to the Knowledge and Technology Maturation Fund. This call for proposals, open until May 15, 2024, will finance and promote 10 innovation projects developed through partnerships between SMEs and research groups.
For more information on the Fusióni3 Valle Maturation Fund and Technologies, please see:
