On August 7, 2024, the Altiplano Campus of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG) hosted the inaugural Regional Innovation Fair (FRI), transforming into a hub of creativity. Supported by the ASPIRE project, GEDI, USAID, AGEXPORT, and ANDE, the event drew over 200 entrepreneurs, students, and industry leaders from academia and business. The fair provided a platform to foster connections among local innovators, cultivating an environment of collaboration and learning.

Attendees engaged in interactive panels, hands-on demonstrations, and workshops focused on sustainability and exportation, sparking partnerships and bringing innovative ideas to life. The dynamic atmosphere encouraged entrepreneurs to not only highlight their projects but also share valuable lessons they learned along the way.

A Space to Inspire and Connect

The event showcased local success stories and the positive impact of innovative projects. Entrepreneurs pitched their ideas and engaged in Q&A panels, fostering a lively sharing, learning, and networking atmosphere. Carmen Francine Torón, a UVG student and entrepreneur, described her experience as enriching and emphasized the inspiration she felt from the valuable feedback shared by fellow entrepreneurs. This constructive exchange allowed Carmine and other participants like her to learn from each other’s challenges and experiences, strengthening the entrepreneurial community and promoting collective growth.

For Maritza Puac, founder of Cervecería IXIM, the fair served as a powerful source of motivation: “It was satisfying to present our products and receive valuable tools during the workshops. The focus on exportation encouraged us to meet the requirements for taking our products to other countries.” Puac exemplifies FRI’s role as an inspiration for business growth, supporting committed entrepreneurs who benefit from spaces that promote learning, collaboration, and innovation.

Two female entrepreneurs showing their clothes with patterns and colors based on Mayan attire. Photo: ASPIRE

The Role of Alliances and the Future of Entrepreneurship

The FRI event featured networking sessions for all participants, facilitating connections between organizers and attendees. These opportunities further the collaborative growth in the region by helping organizing institutions share knowledge effectively, build strong networks, and, as a result, benefit from the new opportunities and strengthened entrepreneurial ecosystem of the Altiplano campus.

“The success of this first event is a testament to the commitment of everyone involved,” said Alissa Moen of GEDI. “The connections generated here will encourage the development of new projects.”

Welcome presentation at the 2024 Regional Innovation Fair. Photo: ASPIRE

Behind the Scenes

The ASPIRE project promotes strategic alliances and collaborations, driving recent growth in UVG’s innovation ecosystem. This movement has been vital to the event’s success. Its entrepreneur-centered approach streamlined organization and actively engaged participants. By aligning resources, the project connected local entrepreneurs with international experts and institutional support, unlocking new opportunities for investment and expansion. Local media were involved to enhance the event’s visibility, while a dedicated logistics and programming team ensured that all activities ran smoothly.

Participants at an entrepreneurship workshop. Photo: ASPIRE

A Promising Future for the Guatemalan Highlands

The Regional Innovation Fair (FRI) brought together entrepreneurs, students, merchants, business representatives, and academics from various regions of the country. This event played a crucial role in further strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem by providing a dynamic platform for networking, exchanging ideas, and showcasing innovations and their positive impacts on communities.

The FRI event represented a significant milestone in entrepreneurship within the UVG Altiplano campus community. According to Jorge Mario García, Director of the CREA Entrepreneurship Center of UVG and a member of ASPIRE, “This fair has demonstrated the potential for innovation in the region.” With the support of strategic alliances and a growing network of local entrepreneurs, FRI has established itself as a pillar for economic and social development, opening up new possibilities for emerging talent.

About ASPIRE

The Achieving Sustainable Partnerships for Innovation, Research and Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE) Project is a five-year, $15 million project funded by USAID and implemented by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), and the Guatemalan Exporters Association (AGEXPORT), with the goal of creating a world-class replicable model for how universities, in collaboration with the private sector, government, and local communities, can respond to local and regional development needs. The project implements a collaborative approach, based on MIT’s experience in the innovation ecosystem.