I. Project Brief Info
Regional Platform for Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Internationalization in Latin America
| Project Type | Regional | |
|---|---|---|
| Working Group |
STIE |
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| Host Country |
Colombia
Korea
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| Date | Dec. 01, 2026 ~ Dec. 01, 2027 | |
| Project Status | In Implementation | |
| Venue | Colombia (Valle del Cauca) | |
| Participants | Member countries | Colombia and Korea |
| Organizations | • Government of Valle del Cauca – Secretariat of Economic Development, Competitiveness and Employment Promotion • NIDO Innovation Ecosystem • Valle del Cauca Digital Commerce Hub • Universities and Higher Education Institutions • Chambers of Commerce • Santiago de Cali City Hall • Private Sector Companies • Technology-Based Startups • Business Support Organizations • Investment Promotion Agencies • National and International Strategic Partners | |
II. Executive Summary
| Project Purposes | Building the Korea–Latin America Innovation Bridge The Government of Valle del Cauca is leading the consolidation of NIDO, a regional innovation ecosystem designed to become the main platform connecting East Asian innovation capabilities with Latin America's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Rather than a conventional entrepreneurship program, NIDO represents a long-term public policy that integrates startup acceleration, technology transfer, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, international investment, open innovation and business internationalization into a single regional innovation platform. After successfully supporting more than 200 startups, mobilizing over USD 5.8 million in investment and impacting more than 9,000 entrepreneurs, NIDO has reached a level of maturity that enables its international expansion through strategic cooperation with Asian innovation institutions. The proposed project seeks to transform NIDO into the first large-scale cooperation platform between Korea and Latin America focused on innovation-driven economic development. Why International Cooperation Matters? Innovation ecosystems are no longer built only through financial investment. They are built through: • knowledge exchange • technology transfer • institutional partnerships • talent mobility • international collaboration For this reason, the Government of Valle del Cauca seeks technical cooperation with Korean and Asian partners that have successfully developed some of the world's leading innovation ecosystems. The objective is to adapt these international best practices to Latin America's realities while generating long-term institutional collaboration. Why Valle del Cauca? Valle del Cauca offers unique conditions for becoming the regional innovation gateway between East Asia and Latin America. The region combines: • Colombia's main Pacific gateway. • One of the country's strongest industrial bases. • International logistics infrastructure. • Leading universities. • An established startup ecosystem. • Strong public institutional leadership. • Proven innovation programs. • Strategic access to Pacific Alliance markets. These conditions make Valle del Cauca an ideal demonstration territory for international innovation cooperation. Why Korea? South Korea has become one of the world's leading references in: • Startup ecosystems • Artificial Intelligence • Smart Cities • Digital Government • Advanced Manufacturing • Deep Tech • Technology Commercialization • Digital Education • Innovation Policy The experience accumulated by Korean institutions represents enormous value for strengthening innovation ecosystems throughout Latin America. Mutual Benefits Unlike traditional development cooperation projects, this initiative generates value for both regions. Benefits for Valle del Cauca • Strengthened innovation ecosystem. • Artificial Intelligence adoption. • Digital transformation. • International acceleration programs. • Startup internationalization. • Investment attraction. • Capacity building. • Technology transfer. Benefits for Korean and Asian Partners • Regional showcase for Korean innovation. • Gateway to Latin America. • Validation of emerging technologies. • New institutional partnerships. • Access to Latin American startups. • Business opportunities. • Innovation diplomacy. • Visibility within FEALAC. • Replicable cooperation model. Requested Technical Cooperation The project prioritizes technical cooperation over financial assistance. Requested contributions include: Technology Transfer • AI methodologies • Digital transformation frameworks • Innovation management • Smart manufacturing practices Capacity Building • International experts • Masterclasses • Executive training • Public sector innovation • Digital certifications Startup Development • Acceleration methodologies • International mentors • Investment readiness • Demo Days • Corporate innovation International Networks • Korean innovation ecosystems • Universities • Technology institutes • Accelerators • Venture capital funds • Soft landing programs Institutional Cooperation • Joint innovation programs • Policy exchange • Research collaboration • Public-private partnerships Financial Structure Government of Valle del Cauca Estimated counterpart contribution USD 600,000 Including: • Project management • Technical team • Infrastructure • Operations • Communications • Monitoring • Institutional coordination Korean / Asian Cooperation Estimated contribution USD 900,000 Primarily through: • International experts • Training • Technology transfer • Digital platforms • Certifications • Exchange missions • Innovation methodologies • Technical assistance • Strategic mentoring • Innovation ecosystem connections Strategic Vision The long-term ambition is not simply to strengthen a regional innovation center. It is to position Valle del Cauca as the principal Korea–Latin America Innovation Bridge, where technology, entrepreneurship, investment and knowledge flow between both regions through a permanent platform of cooperation. |
|---|---|
| Activity Description | Program Objectives General Objective To develop a scalable regional platform for innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation that strengthens the capabilities of startups, SMEs, and entrepreneurs by accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies, business internationalization, and sustainable economic growth across Latin America. Specific Objectives 1. Incubate innovation-driven ventures. 2. Accelerate high-growth potential startups. 3. Increase domestic and international sales. 4. Prepare companies to raise investment. 5. Implement open innovation initiatives. 6. Strengthen the institutional capacities of the innovation ecosystem. Activities Phase 1 – Planning and Ecosystem Preparation • Project governance. • Partner engagement. • Startup and SME outreach. • Program launch. • Methodology refinement. Phase 2 – Innovation and Business Acceleration • Startup incubation. • Business acceleration. • Specialized mentoring. • Innovation bootcamps. • Capacity-building programs. Phase 3 – Digital Transformation and Market Access • Digital maturity assessments. • AI and digital skills training. • E-commerce adoption. • Go-to-market strategies. • Export readiness. Phase 4 – Investment and Internationalization • Investment readiness. • Investor matchmaking. • International business missions. • Soft-landing support. • Global networking. Phase 5 – Ecosystem Consolidation • Open innovation programs. • Corporate challenges. • Innovation Summit. • Knowledge exchange. • Monitoring and impact evaluation. Expected Outcomes • Significant increase in the adoption of digital technologies. • Greater number of accelerated and scaled startups. • Strengthened business capabilities in digital transformation. • Increased exports through digital channels. • Greater access to investment and international markets. • Consolidation of an internationally recognized regional innovation ecosystem. • Creation of a replicable model for other regions in Latin America. • Increased business competitiveness and productivity. Duration – timeline Phase 1 – Planning 1 month Phase 2 – Innovation & Business Acceleration 8 months Phase 3 – Digital Transformation & Market Access 6 months Phase 4 – Investment & Internationalization 7 months Phase 5 – Ecosystem Consolidation and Evaluation 12 months (cross-cutting throughout the project) Beneficiaries Primary beneficiaries: • Startups. • Technology-based companies. • Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). • Entrepreneurs. • Young innovators. • Companies undergoing digital transformation processes. Secondary beneficiaries: • Universities. • Research centers. • Chambers of Commerce. • Investors. • Public institutions. • International cooperation organizations • Innovation ecosystems across Latin America. Strategic Partnership Model The Regional Innovation and Digital Transformation Platform is based on a public-private collaboration model designed to maximize economic, technological, and social impact through the coordinated participation of national and international strategic stakeholders. Government of Valle del Cauca • Institutional leadership and ecosystem governance. • Coordination of public and private stakeholders. • Strategic coordination of programs and initiatives. • Physical and operational infrastructure. • International relations and partnership management. Strategic Technology Partners • Knowledge transfer and global best practices. • Technology adoption programs. • Specialized digital skills training. • Capacity-building in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and emerging technologies. Technical mentoring for startups and SMEs. • Integration with global innovation ecosystems. • Participation in acceleration and scaling programs. Universities and Research Centers • Talent development. • Applied research. • Innovation project development. • Engagement of students and entrepreneurs. • Knowledge generation for the ecosystem. Private Sector and Partner Companies • Development of innovation challenges. • Open innovation programs. • Business mentoring. • Validation of technological solutions. • Creation of commercial opportunities. • Participation in pilot and demonstration projects. International Organizations and Cooperation Partners • Knowledge exchange. • Connection with global networks. • Institutional strengthening. • Technical cooperation programs. • International scaling of best practices. |
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III. Appendices
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| Reports, websites or resources (links or soft copies) |
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| Photos and other available information |
IV. Project Contact Point
| Name | Jerson Eduardo Valencia Arango |
|---|---|
| Position | Secretary of Economic Development, Competitiveness and Employment Promotion |
| Department/ Organization |
Government of Valle del Cauca |
| Country | Colombia |
| jevalencia@valledelcauca.gov.co vmorales@valledelcauca.gov.co rivasdasesor@gmail.com acostata96@gmail.com |
