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| Chilean Association of Innovators | |
|---|---|
| Name | Chilean Association of Innovators |
| Native name | Asociación Chilena de Innovadores |
| Formation | 2000s |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Headquarters | Santiago |
| Region served | Chile |
Chilean Association of Innovators The Chilean Association of Innovators is a nonprofit organization based in Santiago that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship across Chile through networks, policy advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives. It collaborates with universities, corporations, and public institutions to advance technology transfer, startup acceleration, and regional development in alignment with national competitiveness goals. The association works with research centers, incubators, and international partners to link Chilean projects to global markets and funding mechanisms.
Founded in the early 21st century amid a regional push for technology-led growth, the association emerged as part of a wave of organizations influenced by reforms and strategies from institutions such as CORFO, Universidad de Chile, Universidad Católica de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and Chilean science parks. Early collaborations included programs with Fondo de Innovación para la Competitividad, Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, and municipal innovation offices in Santiago and Valparaíso. Over time the association established relationships with multilateral agencies like the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and UNESCO to scale pilot projects and participate in regional forums such as the Latin American Innovation Forum and Pacific Alliance innovation meetings.
The association's mission emphasizes accelerating technological adoption, strengthening linkages among startup ecosystems, and influencing public policy instruments like tax incentives and procurement rules for innovation. Objectives include fostering cooperation with universities such as Universidad de Concepción and Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, supporting entrepreneur networks connected to accelerators like Wayra and incubators at INACAP, and promoting sectors highlighted by entities like CORFO and Sernatur. It seeks to align with national strategies articulated by ministries and agencies including Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología, Conocimiento e Innovación and Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones.
Governance typically comprises a board of directors with representatives from academia, industry, and civil society, including members connected to institutions such as Sociedad de Fomento Fabril, Cámara de Comercio de Santiago, and research centers like Centro de Innovación UC Anacleto Angelini. Operational units manage programs in partnership with technology transfer offices at universities like Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez and research institutes such as Centro de Modelamiento Matemático. Regional chapters coordinate activities in macrozones that include Antofagasta Region, Biobío Region, and Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region to integrate local startups with national networks.
Programs span mentorship, accelerator cohorts, innovation challenges, and public dialogue. Typical activities include hackathons with partners like Santiago Innova, capacity-building workshops co-hosted with ChileCompra and intellectual property seminars featuring Instituto Nacional de Propiedad Industrial. The association runs thematic initiatives in areas promoted by sectoral actors such as mining technology linked to CODELCO, renewable energy projects associated with Comisión Nacional de Energía, and agritech programs connected to INIA. It also facilitates delegation exchanges to innovation hubs including Silicon Valley, Barcelona Tech City, and Tel Aviv to connect members with venture capital networks like AngelList and institutional investors from CORFO-backed funds.
Membership comprises entrepreneurs, researchers, corporate innovators, and representatives from universities such as Universidad Austral de Chile and Universidad de Talca. Strategic partners include international organizations like OECD, bilateral cooperation agencies such as USAID, and philanthropic foundations including Fundación Chile. Corporate partners span mining, finance, and telecom firms including CODELCO, Banco de Chile, and Telefónica Chile, while alliances with incubators and accelerators involve entities such as Start-Up Chile, ChileGlobal Angels, and local coworking networks. The association networks with regional chambers and municipal innovation offices to extend services to provincial cities like Concepción and La Serena.
The association has contributed to scaling startups that have secured seed and series A funding, supported patenting processes through collaboration with INAPI, and influenced policy discussions referenced by ministries and legislative commissions. Achievements include organizing national innovation challenges, establishing mentorship pipelines linked to university entrepreneurship centers, and enabling international partnerships that led to pilot projects in sectors prioritized by agencies like CORFO and Ministerio de Economía, Fomento y Turismo. Recognitions and event participation have involved platforms such as Latin America Innovation Conference and awards judged by panels including representatives from Tecnológico de Monterrey and multinational partners.
Funding sources typically mix membership fees, program grants from public agencies like CORFO and Agencia Nacional de Desarrollo, philanthropic contributions from organizations such as Fundación Chile, and sponsorships from corporations including BancoEstado and mining companies. Governance practices emphasize transparency with audited accounts, board oversight involving stakeholders from academia and industry, and compliance with Chilean nonprofit regulations overseen by relevant authorities in Santiago. Regular strategic planning aligns activities with national innovation roadmaps and regional development plans championed by institutions like Gobierno Regional de Antofagasta.
Category:Organizations based in Santiago Category:Innovation organizations Category:Non-profit organizations of Chile