A Transformative Meeting for Business Innovation in Cauca
On March 7, 2024, Xpanz took place at the Julio Arboleda Auditorium of the Comfacauca University Corporation. This event, organized by Reddi Colombia, attracted more than 200 attendees, representing a significant step in strengthening the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem of the region.
One of the most outstanding results of Xpanz was the participation of 10 alliances between Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and research groups from higher education institutions associated with the Fusióni3 Cauca project. These projects, winners of the Knowledge and Technology Maturation Fund, were presented in an interactive pitch, highlighting the importance of collaboration between the business sector and academia.
The Experience Day , another highlight of Xpanz, acted as a space for connection and validation of technologies developed by associated higher education institutions.
He highlighted the region’s innovative potential and facilitated strategic connections with potential stakeholders.
During the event, two practical workshops were held : “Connecting Ecosystems,” led by the Cali Chamber of Commerce and the Cauca Chamber of Commerce, and “Intellectual Property Monetization Strategies,” led by the Olarte Moure Firm.
In addition, 3 mentoring sessions were held , addressing crucial topics such as Business Strategy and Technology Management, Marketing Strategy and Financing or capital raising, guided by the Reddi Colombia team and Juan Constain.
The “Reddi2Impact” conference , led by Juan Cristóbal Constain, Co-Founder of Quipu, entitled “Quipu’s journey: from research project at MIT to financial inclusion fintech,” offered an inspiring vision on the role of research in entrepreneurship, highlighting Quipu’s success story as an example of how academia can catalyze business innovation.
Also launched was Fusióni360, a connection platform to foster open innovation that promises to open new opportunities for collaboration and co-creation in the regional ecosystem.
With a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 94% , attendees rated Xpanz as a world-class event, highlighting their satisfaction and the positive impact it generated. One of the aspects most emphasized by participants was the event’s organization, underscoring the commitment to creating networking events.
Xpanz 2024 has been a significant event that has strengthened the link between academia and the business sector, driving innovation and development in the department of Cauca. With the formalization of projects, the validation of technologies, and the creation of strategic connections, this meeting has laid the foundation for a promising future in the field of science, technology, and innovation.
