University-Business collaboration as an engine of innovation

Participate in the in-person conference with Efrén Romero Riaño
On November 14th, the Fusióni3 Valle project will hold an in-person conference entitled "University-Business Collaboration: A Perspective from the Analysis and Interpretation of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Indicators." The event will feature Efrén Romero Riaño, Executive Director of the Colombian Observatory of Science and Technology, as the keynote speaker.

This forum, aimed at the academic and administrative community of universities partnered with Fusióni3 Valle, is designed to explain how to use STI (Science, Technology, and Innovation) indicators, which assess the progress and impact of innovation in the country, including the results derived from partnerships between academia and the productive sector. Participants are expected to understand how this data can be integrated into their collaborative strategies and activities.

Michael Urbano, coordinator of University Strengthening at Fusióni3 Valle, spoke about the expectations for the project in this talk:

“We hope that conference attendees will learn about the indicators used to measure progress in science, technology, and innovation in our country. These indicators allow us to evaluate progress, challenges, and strengths with the goal of moving toward a knowledge society. It is essential that universities and the productive sector work together to generate knowledge that positively impacts our economies and production systems.”

For his part, speaker Efrén Romero Riaño emphasized the need to promote policies that foster university-industry collaboration. According to the director of the Colombian Observatory of Science and Technology, the existence of clear guidelines that encourage collaboration between these sectors in the regions can be a decisive factor in strengthening this relationship.

He also mentioned the importance of incorporating people motivated by scientific publication into organizations:

“Introducing people with doctorates, for example, or whose knowledge production dynamic is more typical due to the nature of their studies, will surely generate an additional impact that fosters collaboration with academia.”

Invitation to the university community

Fusióni3 Valle extends an invitation to the entire university and administrative community of our partner universities. This is a key moment to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and advance the connection between higher education institutions and businesses in the region.

Those interested can register and confirm their attendance using the provided registration form. We look forward to your valuable participation!

Event details
  • Date: November 14, 2024
  • Time: 8:30 am to 10:00 am
  • Location: Varela Auditorium, Building D, Icesi University
  • Registration: Registration form

Young people from Fundautónoma discovered the innovative projects of Fusióni3 Valle

Questions related to the functioning of technologies and innovative proposals to add a social focus to innovation projects were some of the comments from the young people who are part of the Fundautónoma Entrepreneurship School, who participated in the presentation of the alliances benefiting from the Fusióni3 Valle Maturation Fund.

In a dynamic afternoon, which took place at the Design Factory of the Pontifical Javeriana University Cali, about 40 students, between 15 and 19 years old, from the communes 13 and 14 of Cali, learned, through videos, the objectives of the ten projects and the expectations of their members, as well as some details about the beginning of their collaborative work.

Subsequently, they had the opportunity to expand their knowledge, guided by the managers of Fusióni3 Valle, and to ask their questions, demonstrating enthusiasm and interest in learning about technological innovation, guided by research professors and entrepreneurs.

“With this space we sought to present the characteristics of our projects, their objectives and work teams, since, in their process of developing technological innovation capabilities, young people will have the opportunity to connect with the project that attracts them the most and get to know it more closely ,” explained Jonathan Sandoval, coordinator of University-SME Connection at Fusióni3 Valle.

According to Claudia Uribe, executive director of the Autonomous Foundation of the West, the presentation of the projects allowed for the recognition of the innovative power of young people and enabled them to focus their personal and educational efforts in areas related to technology-based entrepreneurship.

“With this activity, Fusióni3 Valle gave us the opportunity to break down barriers and stereotypes that we must set aside when we talk about innovation and co-creation processes, because our young people showed their abilities and the potential they have. It was an important event for us, in which we saw them very happy, satisfied, and ready to believe in the great possibilities they have.”

This is how the young participants felt

“The activity with Fusióni3 Valle seemed very interesting and dynamic to me, since they presented each of the projects to us, something very significant because many young people want to try to start a business but don’t dare, and seeing that these people are succeeding can be motivating for everyone,” said Sara Murillo Casas, a student at the Santa Rosa Educational Institution.

“The activity was very special because it showed us how a simple idea can generate profits, help communities, and the environment. For me, it’s important to learn and acquire new skills because with this knowledge I’ll be able to face the working world in the best way possible,” said Alejandro Carvajal Díaz, a student at the San Marcos de León Technical and Commercial College.

What does the Fusióni3 Valle – Fundautónoma alliance consist of?

The Fusióni3 Valle project aims to strengthen the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) ecosystem from a community perspective. To achieve this, it partnered with the Fundación Autónoma de Occidente, jointly coordinating the involvement of young people from its Entrepreneurship School in innovation processes between higher education institutions and the project’s beneficiary MSMEs.

Additionally, young people will receive guidance to develop knowledge and job skills related to innovation and technology-based entrepreneurship processes.

Reddi joins the Deeptech Colombia Alliance to promote the scientific innovation ecosystem

Reddi, the technology transfer platform in Colombia, has announced its integration into the Deeptech Colombia Alliance, a joint effort that seeks to consolidate the science-based ecosystem in the country.

The Deeptech Alliance brings together a diverse network of key players, including investors, startups, scientists, entrepreneurs, universities, corporations and ecosystem facilitators, with the goal of making a difference in the development of science-based businesses. 

By joining this alliance, Reddi reinforces its commitment to technological innovation and the transfer of research results. The Deeptech Colombia Alliance is dedicated to mapping the ecosystem’s stakeholders, creating a detailed report on the sector’s current state, and centralizing the solutions offered by participating actors. 

This effort will make the opportunities and advances of the Colombian scientific and technological ecosystem more visible and accessible to those seeking to promote progress and competitiveness in the country. 

This alliance is a key step to strengthen Colombia’s capabilities in science, technology and innovation, and to position the country as a leader in the field of science-based business. 

Reddi and the Deeptech Alliance will continue to collaborate to create synergies, attract investment, and foster the development of disruptive solutions that address global challenges.

For more information about the Deeptech Colombia Alliance

The department of Cauca, with its rich culture and biodiversity, is establishing itself as a hub for innovation and technological development. Through the Fusióni360 platform, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and SMEs are working together to develop applied solutions that not only impact the local area but also have global reach.

Applied innovation, driven by the Fusióni360 platform, promotes the transfer of knowledge and technology between universities such as the University of Cauca, the Comfacauca University Corporation, and other higher education institutions in the department, along with local SMEs. This allows companies to adopt solutions that optimize their production processes and improve their competitiveness. 

Through concrete examples, the applied innovation facilitated by Fusióni360 is transforming key sectors, improving production processes and opening doors to new markets, highlighting the role of universities in the department as knowledge centers that contribute innovative technologies and developments, charting a roadmap for sustainable economic growth based on joint research and development.

The Fusióni360 platform is the bridge that connects these solutions with the world, allowing innovative ideas from Cauca to transcend borders and generate a global impact.

Reflection and connection: Fusióni3 Valle workshops to identify innovation opportunities

Fusióni3 Valle organized seven sectoral workshops to address the needs, opportunities and problems of various economic sectors in Valle del Cauca, such as Food and Beverages, Agriculture, Construction, Engineering, Manufacturing, Health and ICT, which allowed the participation of entrepreneurs, academics, startups and experts in each subject.

Jonathan Sandoval, coordinator of the University and MSME Connection objective of the project, highlighted the importance of this articulation.

These seven workshops brought together key stakeholders, including professors and researchers from our partner universities, business leaders, government agencies, trade associations, and representatives from consulting firms. Together, we identified the needs and opportunities of each sector and facilitated connections between the supply and demand for innovation services .

Among the participants in the Health sector workshop was Amadeus Uribe, CEO of the company benefiting from the Fusióni3 Valle Innhealth Maturation Fund, who expressed his satisfaction with the event.

I feel that we proposed solutions and left a roadmap to generate alternatives from the Cauca Valley .

Miguel Ángel Hidalgo Salazar, a professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Basic Sciences at the Universidad Autónoma de Occidente, who participated in the Manufacturing workshop, also praised the methodology used: ” It was an excellent experience because we all interacted and shared our experiences. We are interested in continuing to collaborate and believe that this interaction can be very beneficial for our colleagues.”

For her part, Stephanie Ordóñez, director of the Biomedical Engineering program at UAO, highlighted the importance of understanding the dynamics of other institutions and continuing to open spaces for exchange between companies and academia.

The workshop provided excellent guidance in reviewing aspects that we sometimes don’t take the time to analyze in academia. It was fantastic to have someone from a micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise (MSME) share their needs with us and learn from each other.

In this way, Fusióni3 Valle seeks to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among the various stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem. The information gathered during the seven workshops will be fundamental in developing strategies to improve innovation services in the region and to boost the economic and social development of Valle del Cauca.

Reddi Colombia celebrates the renewal of the recognition of actors by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

We are proud to announce that Reddi Colombia has once again been recognized by Minciencias as a research results transfer office for another three years. This recognition opens a world of possibilities for businesses, universities, and entrepreneurs, offering them access to resources that boost their projects and promote innovation in our region.

What does this recognition entail?

Being recognized by the Ministry opens doors to unique opportunities for tax benefits, participation in exclusive calls for proposals, and access to public funds that will strengthen universities and companies within our ecosystem, their research, products, and services. This ensures we are on the right track, leading innovation and sustainable development.

At Reddi Colombia, we are committed to further energizing our innovative ecosystem, creating synergies, and fostering collaboration among all stakeholders in the sector. Let’s celebrate this achievement together and continue building a brighter, more technologically advanced future for our region!