The instance is supported by Corfo, through its financing line Viraliza Eventos; and for Escondida | BHP as one of its main drivers. This collaborative effort seeks to foster strategic alliances between investors and entrepreneurs at various levels.
Invest Hub 2024 has already begun, the first investment and entrepreneurship meeting in Antofagasta, organized by INCUBA of the USQAI Entrepreneurship Laboratory of the Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN). For three days, this event will be the center of the regional and international ecosystem.
Regarding its development, Nicolás Rojas, director of the USQAI Entrepreneurship Laboratory, stated that “We want to bring entrepreneurs closer to each other in the initial stages so that they know the interests of investors and can chart an appropriate path. Furthermore, I invite you to take advantage of generating networks, since we have local and international guests, all interesting characters for the development of your ventures. Finally, thank the institutions that support us to move Invest Hub forward, particularly Corfo and BHP, and all the partners who have joined along the way and who also aim to support entrepreneurship and innovation.”.
Encuentro Invest Hub is supported by Corfo, through its financing line Viraliza Eventos; and for Escondida | BHP as one of its main drivers. This collaborative effort seeks to foster strategic alliances between investors and entrepreneurs at various levels.
In this regard, Melissa Gajardo Castillo, executive director of the Corfo Antofagasta Committee, stated that “We look for instances to promote productive development, to contribute to the territories based on their needs. We have been working for 85 years to strengthen the country with its companies, capabilities and development, but also to generate ecosystems that can be multiplied and visualized internationally. “We are a channel, a mechanism to raise State resources, and what better way to use them for all Chileans who want to grow, surround themselves with the knowledge of others, circulate information and generate these contact networks”.
From the UCN, Bárbara Torres, director of Innovation and Technology Transfer, expressed that “Organizing these events and having everyone in our house, from different regions of our country, is undoubtedly one of the ways in which we can network, that we can strengthen collaborative work, but as a country we are going to strengthen our pillars regarding diversification, innovation and entrepreneurship”.
Finally, Abel Benítez, director of Corporate Affairs at BHP, emphasized that “We have been supporting USQAI for a decade and for a long time promoting a word that is not particular, but belongs to everyone, which is ecosystem. The most difficult element of the ecosystem is collaboration, because when you want to create with the future of the territory in mind, sooner or later you have to generate a common vision and a space for collaboration where all actors are brought together by a dream. “This activity, with so many collaborators, reflects that spirit and demonstrates the power that USQAI and the surrounding region have in collaborating in pursuit of innovation and entrepreneurship”.
FIRST WORKING DAY
Day one began with an inspiring international keynote talk titled “Challenges for women in entrepreneurship and innovation,” given by Viviana Santinón, head of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Catholic University of Salta. Santinón, who previously participated in speaking series in March, shared her vast experience on the role of women in these fields, addressing the specific challenges they face.
The second activity was the panel of experts “What are the social challenges from the gender perspective and their role in dynamic entrepreneurship”, with the participation of Yhurka Yáñez, director of the Gender Directorate of the Universidad Católica del Norte; Pilar Valenzuela, representative of Women Leaders Americas; Evelyn Sepúlveda, Entrepreneur and CEO of Hoycka Energía; and Elizabeth Cameron, from Escondida | BHP.
The day continued with the simultaneous workshops “Elevate your Networking”, led by Pamela Lathrop, in the Andrés Sabella auditorium; and “The importance of Communicating”, taught by Juana Ringeling Vicuña, in the Amphitheater of the USQAI UCN Laboratory.
Continuing with day 1, the executive of ProChile Antofagasta, Paul Alcorce, participated, who presented the work carried out by the institution for entrepreneurs with export potential; and the Reverse Pitch – First Batch was carried out, focused on the mining sector and associated services, a vital area for the Antofagasta region and sustainable economic development.
Finally, Invest Hub ended its first day with the panel “The role of Higher Education Institutions: when entrepreneurs come out of their shell”, organized by MetaRed X, Collaborative Network of Entrepreneurship Units and Offices of Chilean Higher Education Institutions, promoted by Universia and Santander Universities.
DAY 2
Tuesday, June 25, was the day of Investment and Scientific-Technological Based Companies, together with the main speaker Michael Hayes, who spoke about the world of EBCT. There were also spaces for mentoring and business roundtables, and a panel led by the team from the Directorate of Innovation and Technology Transfer (DITT) of the Universidad Católica del Norte.
The complete schedule of the Invest Hub Investment and Entrepreneurship Meeting is at https://usqai.ucn.cl/invest-hub/.
Invest Hub 2024 aims to promote networking and investment opportunities, providing a space to discover, learn and connect. The initiative marks a milestone in strengthening the entrepreneurship and investment ecosystem in the Antofagasta region. The organizers thanked all participants for making this event possible and for their commitment to the development of entrepreneurship and innovation.
