Entrepreneurship serves as a vital catalyst for both economic and social development. It sparks innovation and paves new avenues for opportunity. In Guatemala, the entrepreneurial ecosystem has gained strength in recent years thanks to initiatives that provide individuals with the necessary tools and knowledge to carry out their business ideas. Developing entrepreneurship in educational institutions such as the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG) is essential in nurturing talent, igniting creativity, and equipping young individuals with the skills necessary to become catalysts for positive change. The UVG CREA Entrepreneurship Center serves this fundamental role in strengthening the entrepreneurial culture within the UVG community.

The center’s main objective is to transform entrepreneurship into a complementary educational experience that has the potential to generate innovative solutions to the challenges faced by Guatemala and the Central American region. This is achieved through classes and training, mentoring, promotional events, and building connections with the local business community.  

UVG CREA works within the Achieving Sustainable Partnerships for Innovation, Research, and Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE) project, financed by USAID and developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), and the Guatemalan Exporters Association (AGEXPORT). Its programs and services foster meaningful alliances with organizations, companies, and entrepreneurs, benefiting the UVG community.

UVG CREA Activities in 2024

Over the past year, UVG CREA has organized 19 entrepreneurship programs and events. UVG EMS (Entrepreneurial Mentoring Service) is one such standout program that matches potential entrepreneurs with highly qualified mentors. Additionally, three Pitchapalooza festivals have been held, providing UVG community members with the opportunity to pitch their ventures to experts in the field.

Three editions of Garage Emprende have been held at the UVG Central Campus, focused on development conversations and networking for the UVG community. In September, the Tejiendo Emprendedores (Weaving Entrepreneurs) event occurred at the UVG Highlands Camp. In this space, participants had the chance to interact with three successful entrepreneurs, sharing knowledge, experiences, challenges, and lessons learned when starting a venture.

The CREA Formación bootcamp, an extracurricular project designated for the development and training in innovation and entrepreneurship for early stage entrepreneurs, trained 34 participants in 2024. In addition, UVG CREA’s UVG EMS program provided mentoring to 18 entrepreneurs from the UVG Community, including 12 alums and six students, with the support of 26 active mentors.

UVG CREA advised and supported “BioDelta,” the winning project of the Hult Prize on Campus competition 2024. The BioDelta team included students from the UVG Chemical Engineering department, with both chemical and mechanical engineering students participating. Thanks to support from UVG CREA, BioDelta prepared to compete at the Regional Summit Hult Prize ’24 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and connected with key organizations nationally and internationally. They also participated in the ILAN awards for university innovation, supported by the Embassy of Israel in Guatemala, and Made 4 Growth, an initiative promoting the development and innovation of companies in Guatemala.

BioDelta’s Diego López, a Chemical Engineering student at UVG’s Central Campus, noted, “Thanks to the UVG CREA programs, I was given the opportunity to receive advice from mentors, which has allowed me to gain different perspectives that have enriched my project. In addition, I have learned how to present my venture to potential investors.”  

BioDelta venture in the UVG-EMS mentoring program. Image: ASPIRE

UVG CREA has been instrumental in developing strategic connections and strengthening key networks in the UVG Community. While visiting the UVG South Campus workshop, Ahau-X, a newly successful venture that benefitted from UVG CREA’s training, mentoring, promotional events, and networking opportunities, presented their technology project to improve harvesting efficiency. Ahau-X credits their subsequent participation in the Hult Prize and UVG EMS program for helping them gain admission to the Pomona Impact Accelerator program, which has furthered the project’s impact and potential.

Claudia Gómez, co-founder of Ahau-X, shared: “UVG CREA provided us with the essential tools and knowledge to develop our venture. They supported us in landing our idea, provided feedback on improving our pitch, and facilitated advice from experienced entrepreneurs. All this [has helped], in addition to the Pomona Impact Foundation having selected Ahau-X to participate in the AgriFoods Systems Accelerator. I think that without that help, we would not have developed our business, and we would not have sold our idea.”

Ahau-X team. Image: ASPIRE

Promoting the Path of the Entrepreneur

One of the fundamental pillars of UVG CREA is its model, “The Path of the Entrepreneur,” which covers five bases: communication, inspiration, training, support, and connection. The combination of these elements has been crucial to generate real impact. The “BioDelta” and “Ahau-X” cases are clear examples of how a comprehensive and diverse approach can take projects to new heights, connecting entrepreneurs with resources, mentors, and growth opportunities.

The center has discovered the power of motivation and inspiration to spark interest in entrepreneurship in the UVG community. A notable example is Franz Forkel, a biology student who discovered his potential as an entrepreneur thanks to his participation in Pitchapalooza 2024 and the UVG CREA “Entrepreneurship and Innovation” class. His success highlights how tiny seeds of inspiration can generate significant changes in people. Forkel said, “The course in Entrepreneurship and Innovation had a significant impact on me. As a science student, I was greatly influenced and learned that my ideas are valuable and can be implemented in the business world. That I can pursue them.”

Franz Forkel, winner of Pitchapalooza 2024. Image: ASPIRE

The communication programs forming from UVG CREA have seen impressive development, as shown by the self-sustaining practices of the Catching Up with UVG blog and podcast. This accomplishment is thanks to the empowered students who are now leading as UVG CREA assistants. They show great enthusiasm and commitment to the program’s blog and podcast, providing further evidence that with the proper support, young people can undoubtedly serve as positive drivers of change.

About the ASPIRE Project

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.