That's how the launch went! from the Fusióni3 Valle Project!

Businesses, universities, and the community came together at the Xpanz by Reddit event

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Fusióni3 Valle, a project that aims to boost innovation in 20 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Valle del Cauca region through collaboration with five leading universities, was officially launched on October 12th during the Xpanz by Reddi event. With over 100 attendees, including executives from the participating universities and companies, the event marked the beginning of an exciting phase of interaction and collaboration.

Exponential connections that make all the difference.

The Xpanz by Reddi event, held at the Cedro Rosado building of the Pontifical Javeriana University in Cali, was the perfect setting to launch Fusióni3 Valle. Participating entrepreneurs shared their ideas in dynamic pitches, and the Experience Day took place, where researchers from partner universities showcased innovative technologies. This interaction allowed universities and companies to get to know each other better and identify opportunities for collaboration.

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Validation and Optimism at Experience Day

Validation and Optimism at Experience Day During Experience Day, attendees had the opportunity to validate technologies, with a total of 28 pre-commercial validations, and to share their interests and needs. Mónica Gisela Dueñas, director of Fusióni3 Valle, expressed her satisfaction and highlighted the importance of the connection between universities and companies. “We are very satisfied because it was a space for raising awareness of the importance of the relationship and connection between the university and companies, to strengthen the economic and competitive development of the region.”

For her part, Claudia Consuelo Cepeda, acting director of Technological Development and Innovation at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, shared her enthusiasm for the opportunities the project presents for SMEs. “With this objective, in Valle del Cauca, Reddi is an important player, recognized according to the National Science and Technology System’s stakeholder policy, and Fusióni3 Valle is the link that will initially strengthen these 20 companies, empowering them within the market.”

Success in Business and Academic Relationships

The Fusióni3 Valle meeting between business leaders and academics received high marks. Many of the participants from micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises expressed their satisfaction with having been part of the event. Researchers, such as Luz Marina Flórez Prado from the Universidad Autónoma de Occidente, shared their experience: “I learned from the business leaders how to pitch in seconds, and I saw the diversity of developments taking place in the Valle del Cauca region that are unknown to most of us. I think that with our developments in moldable biomass, we will soon be able to participate.”

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Next Steps

Fusióni3 Valle continues its journey toward innovation, working to build research, development, and innovation capacity at partner universities and preparing awareness workshops on technology transfer and intellectual property for beneficiary companies. Stay tuned for more details and upcoming events. The future of innovation in Valle del Cauca promises to be exciting.

We invite you to relive this launch

CelGis Technology participated
in the "+ISP" event with
the support of Reddi Colombia.

From August 23rd to 25th, the +ISP event was held in Cali, bringing together key players in the Colombian ICT sector. There, Professor Andres Navarro of ICESI University presented CelGis technology, thanks to the commercial pre-validation service provided by the Reddi Colombia team.  

What is +ISP?

+ISP is an event designed and organized by NAISP, as an integration mechanism where the main actors of ICTs meet to discuss issues and needs of the new reality that appears thanks to the dynamism in

The acronym ISP stands for Internet Service Providers, and these are characterized by providing fixed Internet access to individuals and organizations where the network is very limited and large operators do not have coverage.  

This event took place at the Valle del Pacifico Event Center and was attended by more than 850 participants and 43 exhibitors.  

On this occasion, they emphasize the importance of continuously seeking an Internet service with professionalism, quality, and good practices, through training and guidance on regulatory matters. 

The demonstrated attendance reflects a firm commitment to the end consumer, generating momentum to carry out more of these scenarios like this, in addition to joining collective efforts and continuing to move towards better service, progressiveness and transparency in the system as internet service providers (ISPs).

Learn about the Conexión Fusióni3 Cauca meeting

Connection and Technology: Resounding Success at the 1st Fusióni3 Cauca Meeting!

On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the Bicentennial Building of the University Institution Colegio Mayor del Cauca , the First Connection Meeting of the Fusióni3 Cauca Project was held , which developed positively by bringing together outstanding actors from industry and academia in a day full of opportunities and technological advances.

The objective of the meeting was clear: to create a space for connection between the MSMEs benefiting from the Fusióni3 Cauca project and the

Research groups from the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) allied to the project, where the innovative technologies that the HEIs had developed were presented to the MSMEs, thus generating synergy between both sectors. The event was well-attended, with a total of 191 people present. Among the notable attendees were Dr. Noralba Zapata, Secretary of Economic Development and Competitiveness for the Cauca Governorate, and Omar Leonardo Gonzáles Gutiérrez, from the Fusióni3 Cauca project supervision team of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, who delivered a fascinating lecture on the “University-Business-State-Society Articulation” within the framework of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy.

During the meeting, the Coordinator of Innovation in SMEs took the floor, offering a detailed explanation of the selection process for the 30 beneficiary SMEs. Following this, each company was presented in a concise and effective manner, allowing all attendees to gain a clear overview of the participating businesses and their areas of expertise.

The day culminated with the central event, the Experience Day (Technology Showcase), where partner higher education institutions presented various technologies they had developed, demonstrating their potential for application in the business and production sectors.
The First Connection Meeting of the Fusióni3 Cauca project proved to be a turning point for technological development and collaboration between the productive sector and academia. The connections forged and the opportunities opened promise to boost Cauca’s competitiveness in the years to come. Undoubtedly, this event marked a milestone in the joint pursuit of a more prosperous and technologically advanced future.

"Residents of Cali obtain an international
patent thanks to an innovative patch
that regenerates heart tissue."

This is exciting news for the research community in Colombia, as the Universidad Autónoma de Occidente and the Universidad del Valle have received an international patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for their advancement in regenerative medicine. 

The innovative Flexible Tissue Regeneration Implant, which functions as a heart tissue regenerator patch, has been recognized for its potential impact on cardiovascular health as it has the ability to regenerate heart tissue, facilitating the recovery of damaged areas and reducing the risk of chronic heart failure after a heart attack. 

Paola Andrea Neuta, a professor at the Faculty of Health at the University of Valle, expressed the significance of this patent in terms of global reach: “Obtaining this patent is of great importance because it opens up the possibility of non-pharmacological treatment for people suffering from morbidities that diminish their quality of life as a consequence of a myocardial infarction. This doesn’t only happen in our country, but it is a global health problem, so for us it is very satisfying to demonstrate that in Colombia high-level research can be done that could solve a global problem.”

The regenerative patch contains a combination of specialized cells that work together to repair heart tissue. These cells are suspended in a gel-like biomaterial, designed to keep them alive while they integrate with the damaged heart tissue and carry out the recovery process.  

Álvaro José Rojas, director of the Master’s program in Product Development Engineering at UAO, explains that the patch is composed of a collagen matrix created using 3D printing and is precisely applied to the damaged tissue. This technique allows for customization of the patch, adapting it to the patient’s anatomical characteristics and needs.

The creation of this biodevice was led by a multidisciplinary team of experts, including Álvaro José Rojas Arciniegas from UAO, Paola Andrea Neuta Arciniegas, and José Oscar Gutiérrez Montes from Universidad del Valle. Legal support and collaboration from the Research Results Transfer Office at Universidad del Valle, along with the Vice-Rector’s Office for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at UAO, were essential to the success of this pioneering project.

The Universidad Autónoma de Occidente (UAO) prioritizes the protection of intellectual property, providing comprehensive support to its professors in patent applications both in Colombia and abroad. Alexander García Dávalos, Director of Innovation Management and Transfer at UAO, emphasizes: “Our Vice-Rectorate for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship supports faculty throughout the entire process. Obtaining this international patent reinforces the leading position of these experts from Cali in the field of regenerative medicine and promises a more hopeful future for those suffering from heart problems.” 

Fuente: Universidad Autónoma – Red Universitaria Mutis 

New patent of invention

Superintendence of Industry and Commerce grants patent for invention for the development of morphological models in minimally invasive surgery.

An interdisciplinary team comprised of Valentina Corchuelo Guzmán, Pedro José Villamizar Beltrán, Marcela Tejada Reyes, and Stephanie Ordoñez Medina has obtained a patent from the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce for an innovative procedure in the field of minimally invasive surgery. This procedure involves creating morphological models with pathological characteristics to improve training in laparoscopic surgery.

The design and manufacture of the anatomical models relied heavily on the integration of two key elements: computer-aided manufacturing and the use of polymers. Computer-aided manufacturing enabled the precise creation of anatomical models with the desired characteristics and pathologies. The appropriate selection of polymers ensured that the models were more realistic in appearance and texture, resulting in high-fidelity anatomical models that significantly contribute to the development of surgeons’ skills during laparoscopic surgery training.

Developing surgical skills in minimally invasive procedures is crucial and requires thorough and progressive training. In this context, the creation of anatomical models that accurately represent anatomical structures and various pathologies plays a fundamental role. These models provide a realistic representation that facilitates the development of surgical techniques closer to reality. As a result, surgeons can improve their skills and abilities, leading to safer procedures on real patients.

The project originated as an educational innovation initiative in health from the Javeriana Cali Simulation Hospital. The interdisciplinary team, leveraging the experience and knowledge of professionals in the fields of health and engineering, worked collaboratively to address technical challenges and ensure that the anatomical models developed met the required standards.

Ubicu, the first commercially licensed technology developed at Javeriana Cali

Ubicu, a medical device supporting respiratory physiotherapy for remote prescription and medical monitoring of the user, obtained a commercial license, being the first technology developed at Javeriana Cali to receive this designation. 

The proposed system was developed in collaboration with the University of Valle and uses technology through gamification to encourage physiotherapy on a mobile device, measures inspiratory flow, and allows the physiotherapist to prescribe and receive the results of physiotherapy remotely.

This milestone aims to foster collaboration with the business sector and promote technological development within the academic community. Furthermore, it represents a significant step toward driving innovation to create solutions that improve people’s quality of life. 

It is worth noting that commercial licensing is a process by which the university authorizes an external company to use, manufacture, and market an innovation developed by its researchers.

According to Jaime Aguilar, professor and researcher in the Department of Electronics and Computer Science, “this product license is crucial due to the effort and interdisciplinary work involved in its development. We conducted a patent review and found no similar systems that meet the needs of users and healthcare professionals,” he commented. 

This process was supported by Melissa Ramírez, tech manager for Ubicu technology, who assisted with the technical and commercial scaling, as well as outlining the licensing roadmap. For her, “the feeling is very rewarding because it’s a long and arduous undertaking where the main objective was always to transform the device from a university research project into something marketable, something that could be included in a company’s portfolio,” she explained.

A key aspect of this initiative is that it allows technology to move from academia to the market, opening new opportunities for collaboration with the business sector and generating revenue that can be reinvested in technological development, thus fostering a virtuous cycle of continuous innovation. Santiago Lozano, manager of Prompack, the company that licensed the technology, explained that “the partnership with Javeriana University in Cali regarding technological development and licensing has been fundamental for us. At PromPack, we understand that we cannot develop an innovative, comprehensive product that can generate value in the market on our own. With the University’s research capabilities, we have been able to develop the necessary prototypes to test and validate their effectiveness and performance, always seeking to generate value for the market or the end user.” 

The CIE, an ally in the licensing process

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (CIE), through its Technology Transfer Route, has become a valuable support for the commercial licensing process, helping to promote technology transfer and fostering collaboration with the business sector. These actions have become a key pillar for bringing these types of innovations to market.

For Víctor Rodríguez, Transfer Coordinator at the CIE, “the licensing process represents one of the most outstanding achievements in our Transfer Roadmap. By joining forces, we can leverage the knowledge and resources of both sectors to achieve significant progress and generate a positive impact on society. We hope this initiative inspires the Javeriana community to continue positioning the University as a leader in technological development through innovation.”

 

El CIE, un aliado en el proceso de licenciamiento

El Centro de Innovación y Emprendimiento, CIE, a través de la Ruta de Transferencia, se ha convertido en un apoyo valioso para el proceso de licenciamiento comercial, pues ayuda a impulsar la transferencia tecnológica y fomenta la colaboración con el sector empresarial. Estas acciones se han convertido en un pilar clave para llevar este tipo de innovaciones al mercado.

Para Víctor Rodríguez, coordinador de Transferencia del CIE, “el proceso de licenciamiento representa uno de los logros más destacados en nuestra Ruta de Transferencia. Al unir fuerzas, se pueden aprovechar los conocimientos y recursos de ambos sectores para lograr avances significativos y generar un impacto positivo en la sociedad. Esperamos que esta iniciativa inspire a la comunidad javeriana a seguir posicionando a la Universidad como un referente en el desarrollo tecnológico a través de la innovación”.