2020 Yearbook - Universidad ORT Uruguay

136 2020 Yearbook ACTIVITIES OF THE CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (CIE) 2020 The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) aims to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. It carries out initiatives aimed at developing, strengthening, and coordinating an ecosystem that connects the university, business, society, and the financial sector, ensuring that entrepreneurial initiatives become innovative ventures that add value to society. In 2020, the CIE signed an agreement with the Carolan Research Institute (CRI), which led to the creation of the Carolan Fund for Entrepreneurial Research—a fund that supports entrepreneurs in validating their business ideas in the market. Selected applicants receive funding, mentoring, and training. The Arena Emprendedora program, led by the CIE and the CirComedia Company, was highlighted; it is aimed at women who have a business idea, want to start a business, or wish to strengthen their entrepreneurial spirit. The Danone Group selected the CIE as a strategic partner for the “Movimiento Ser Mujer: Edición Rosa” contest. The goal is to encourage women entrepreneurs to submit projects that support initiatives related to the fight against cancer. In 2020, 237 business ideas were submitted through the “Postulá tu idea” website. Based on these proposals, three projects in the pre-incubation stage were presented to the Business Idea Validation Committee (VIN), composed of the CIE, the National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII), and the National Development Agency (ANDE). Two of them were approved to receive funding and begin their incubation period: VetCase and Ozono. Additionally, 10 incubated startups received funding through the “Seed Capital” program, provided by ANDE and ANII: Mezcla, Workifit, Alamano, Estilo Latam, SOY, ABtesting, eLook, Biolube, Sosei, and Nanogrow. In turn, in 2020, 12 projects were established as companies after consolidating their business ideas with the support of CIE: SOY, Befit, Workifit, MateCaps, Bungee Jumping Piriápolis, eLook, ABtesting, Mezcla, Estilo Latam, Biolube, Poha Biocosméticos, CannabiZzz. In 2020, CIE organized 38 activities aimed at raising awareness, bringing together, and training young people on their entrepreneurial journey. Through conferences, workshops, challenges, and seminars, the initiative reached more than 4,000 students, graduates, and entrepreneurs. The activities were designed to foster an entrepreneurial mindset and raise awareness of key technological and business trends.