Every company entering a market faces a competitive and ever-changing environment, forcing it to adapt, be flexible, and even change its processes, products, or services. It seeks to anticipate countless variables that affect the market, constantly evolving and improving its competitive edge to avoid disappearing. This evolution is nothing other than innovation.

As we can see, innovation plays a crucial role in the competitiveness of an economy, where innovative companies are recognized in the market for their ability to grow profitably, sustainably, and generate economic development for society.

But innovation is just the tip of the iceberg. Behind technologies like plasma televisions lies scientific and technical knowledge that enables the creation of these products. At the first stage was science and research, where we generate new knowledge with or without an immediate application. For example, the scientists who began studying plasma weren’t sure what kind of applications it might have. At the second stage, this knowledge is applied to the creation or improvement of services, processes, or products, which is known as technological development. Here, the study of plasma allowed for the development of solutions in different industries—automotive engineering, electronics, medical, and aerospace. Finally, innovation takes these solutions and introduces them to the market. In our example, this results in the development of products we know: plasma televisions, the manufacture of microcircuits through plasma deposition or erosion (multilayer treatments), and plasma-treated fabrics that repel moisture.

In Colombia, universities are strong in research and technological development; nine of the ten institutions that patent the most in the country are universities. In the Pacific region, we have examples across various industries and sectors. Many are likely unaware that the Pontifical Javeriana University in Cali developed a rapid COVID-19 test that is more accurate than traditional tests, or that the Autonomous University of Western Colombia and the University of Cauca each have environmentally friendly solutions to replace plastic. These and other solutions need companies to bring them to market.

Companies, for their part, face challenges that can be addressed through science and technology. This is the case for the companies in the Macrosnacks cluster initiative and the Clinical Excellence initiative of the Cali Chamber of Commerce. The former are seeking solutions to improve the supply of raw materials in the agribusiness sector, while the latter are exploring ways to accelerate the production and pre-validation of medical devices.

With the goal of connecting academic efforts with the needs of the business sector to develop technological solutions that impact the region’s competitiveness and innovation, Reddi Colombia, the Technological Development Agency, was founded in 2017. It is a joint effort of the Cali Chamber of Commerce and the Icesi, Javeriana, Valle, Autónoma, San Buenaventura, and Cauca Universities. If you or your company are interested in learning about the solutions developed by the universities or the challenges faced by companies in our region, visit us at www.reddicolombia.com or write to us at info@reddicolombia.com .