Career Counseling Service

What is the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE)?

The CIE aims to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation at the university.

To achieve this, it takes steps to develop, strengthen, and coordinate an ecosystem that connects universities, businesses, society, and the financial sector.

In this way, it helps turn entrepreneurial initiatives into innovative ventures that add value to society.

  • How can the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship help me?

    The CIE can help you in the following areas:

    • Training: We offer workshops, conferences, and events where you’ll have the opportunity to develop your entrepreneurial mindset and learn about the tools and methodologies needed to start a business.

    • Business Development: Through its network of mentors, the CIE will guide you in analyzing, designing, and implementing your business idea.

    • Sponsorship: As an institution with the ANII ANDE seal of approval, the CIE can endorse and recommend your application for funding programs to help you secure the resources needed to validate and accelerate the development of your startup. In addition, has access to has network of angel investors if you have a validated and innovative project.

    • Networking: You can join an entrepreneurial community and take part in events such as meetups and after-parties, among others. 
          
    • Support infrastructure: has coworking space and a network of labs (Fablab, Medialab, Biotec) for entrepreneurs to use.

  • What does it mean to submit an idea?

    Submitting an idea means presenting your business or startup idea to the CIE to receive support in its design and implementation. Applications are submitted usingthis form.

    CIE executives will review the proposal and contact you to schedule an initial meeting. If the proposal is accepted, the CIE will provide guidance, training, and funding to support its development.

  • Who can submit an idea?

    Anyone can submit an idea for pre-incubation at the CIE, with priority given to teams that include at least one student or graduate of Universidad ORT Uruguay.

  • If I don't have an idea, can I visit the CIE?

    Yes, of course! The CIE organizes more than 50 free activities each year to raise awareness, bring people together, and train young people on their entrepreneurial journey.

    Through conferences, workshops, challenges, and seminars, it reaches more than 2,000 students, graduates, and entrepreneurs in the ecosystem.

    The activities are very diverse and are designed to foster an entrepreneurial mindset and raise awareness of key technological and business trends.

  • Is there a deadline for submitting my idea?

    No, there is no deadline. The CIE accepts applications year-round. 

  • What is pre-incubation?

    The pre-incubation process is designed to help the startup team validate their idea.

    To achieve this, each team is assigned a mentor who will work with them to design a validation plan, implement it, and, based on the results, assess whether the startup is viable.

  • To apply, are there any requirements regarding the number of team members?

    No. Individuals may submit their ideas on their own.

    While teams may have varying numbers of members, the CIE believes that the ideal team size for a startup is three members with complementary skill sets.

  • Who receives the submissions? Who has access to the submitted ideas?

    Applications are received by CIE case managers, who contact the applicant within 48 hours to schedule an initial meeting.

  • What kind of startups do you support?

    The CIE focuses on dynamic technology-driven projects or projects that offer unique value in any field or industry.

    It is a requirement that startups seek to innovate within their sector and target a global market, with a business model that is scalable and dynamic.

  • How can I contact the National Agency for Innovation and Research (ANII)?

    Contact with the ANII is made through the CIE.

  • What is an IPE? What is the role of an IPE?

    The ANII and the National Development Agency (ANDE) use the term “Entrepreneurship Support Institution” (IPE) to refer to organizations that support entrepreneurs.

    The role of an IPE is to select, evaluate, and decide on entrepreneurs, and ultimately support the selected entrepreneurs in bringing their ideas to market.

    As part of this process, if it is deemed appropriate to apply for funding from ANII or ANDE, the IPE is responsible for endorsing, supporting, and guiding the entrepreneur through the application process with these agencies.

 

CONTACT THE CIE