Some of Our Efforts in Strengthening EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation

ENRICH in LAC Advances Innovation Partnerships Through Advocacy Mission to Peru

From 23 to 27 June, ENRICH in LAC carried out an advocacy mission in Lima, engaging more than 30 institutions from academia, government, business and civil society. The mission aimed to expand the Soft Landing Hub (SLH) network, boost EU–Peru cooperation under Horizon Europe, and advance joint programming in climate tech, health innovation, the circular economy and agri-tech.

ENRICH in LAC has taken new steps to deepen EU–Peru innovation ties following a mission in Lima from 23 to 27 June. More than 30 institutions joined the programme, which focused on building partnerships in climate tech, health, the circular economy and agri-tech.

During the week, ENRICH in LAC met with universities, chambers of commerce, industry associations and public bodies to explore joint research, startup mobility and new funding opportunities. Three organisations, Nexum PUCP, Emprende UP and ESAN FabLab, were identified as candidates to join the Soft Landing Hub network, which supports international growth for entrepreneurs and innovators.

The mission also introduced Lorena Borgo as the new ENRICH in LAC Ambassador in Peru. She will maintain close contact with local stakeholders and expand the network.

Looking ahead, ENRICH in LAC will work with Peruvian partners to sign cooperation agreements, launch pilot activities later this year and connect local institutions with European programmes such as Horizon Europe.

ENRICH in LAC invites organisations across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean to take part in these efforts and strengthen collaboration across regions.

EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Network Holds Second In-Person Gathering in Madrid

Strengthening Collaboration at the Madrid Gathering

Madrid, 9 June 2025. From 2 to 6 June, the EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Network held its second in-person meeting in Madrid, bringing together more than 35 incubators and accelerators from Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean. The gathering focused on collaboration and the development of new joint initiatives.

The EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Network held its second in-person meeting in Madrid from 2 to 6 June, bringing together more than 35 incubators and accelerators from Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean. The meeting focused on building cooperation and launching new joint initiatives.

The programme included bilateral meetings, roundtables on funding and scaling, exchanges between cohorts and a visit to South Summit Madrid, where participants engaged with investors, companies and policymakers. Institutions such as the European Business and Innovation Centre Network, EUREKA, the National Cybersecurity Institute and Fundación madri+d joined the discussions.

The Network welcomed new members including Universidad de Costa Rica, USIL Ventures, IMPAQTO, Instituto Pedro Nunes, Technoport SA, InnovX and Start2 Group. These organisations join existing partners such as Tetuan Valley, Fundación madri+d and the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator.

Key outcomes included new bilateral agreements, the launch of joint roadmaps and preparations for upcoming activities such as immersion weeks, climate-focused ideation programmes, mentoring schemes and co-hosted events.

Next steps include the launch of a LinkedIn community to complement existing communication channels such as the WhatsApp group and the weekly EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation bulletin.

The EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Network invites incubators and accelerators from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean to join and contribute to stronger cooperation across regions.

ENRICH in LAC Strengthens Ties Through Advocacy Mission to Costa Rica

Expanding Cooperation and Mapping the Innovation Landscape

ENRICH in LAC has completed a mission in Costa Rica, held from 16 to 19 June, engaging 23 organisations from academia, government, business and multilateral bodies. The visit aimed to expand the Soft Landing Hub network and open new opportunities for EU–Costa Rica collaboration.

Meetings with universities, chambers of commerce and innovation agencies highlighted potential in digital transformation, cybersecurity, SME competitiveness and green industry. An Innovation Cooperation Day introduced ENRICH in LAC to local stakeholders and encouraged networking across the ecosystem.

ParqueTec, TEC Emprende Lab and the CyberSec Cluster were identified as candidates for Soft Landing Hub certification. Other institutions expressed interest in joint programmes and in aligning with European frameworks such as Horizon Europe, the Global Gateway and the EU–LAC Digital Alliance.

ENRICH in LAC will do the best on understanding with partners, integrate Costa Rican institutions into its mobility and SLH frameworks and organise joint innovation events later in 2025. The network also plans to appoint an Ambassador in Costa Rica to maintain close contact with local stakeholders.

ENRICH in LAC invites organisations from Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean to join its activities and contribute to stronger cooperation across regions.

 EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Masterclass

EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Masterclass convened in Santiago de Chile, bringing together experts from Europe and Latin America to deepen partnerships and foster innovation.

Date & Time: 6th November, 2024.

Key Takeaways from the EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Masterclass:

• Participants explored strategies for scaling start-ups internationally, addressed cultural and business practices in Europe and Latin America, and discussed how tailored services could better align with the needs of stakeholders from both regions.
• The discussions included examples like Imagine Lab and Start-Up Chile, which focused on building opportunities for business growth through cross-border partnerships.
• Speakers talked about the importance of creating specific services, such as soft-landing programs and market expansion initiatives, to help businesses navigate internationalization and grow over time.
• They also highlighted how cultural understanding and navigating the different ways of doing business in Europe and Latin America are essential for forming strong partnerships.
• The event ended with a collaborative workshop, where participants worked on practical tools and strategies for European businesses entering Latin America, as well as explored areas for cooperation in climate technology.

Read more about the event here on our Learning bag!

[14 October 2024] Practical Guide for Successfully Taking Part in European Union Funded Projects

Join our Online Training Workshop: Practical Guide for Successfully Taking Part in European Union Funded Projects

Are you a researcher or an enterprise from Latin America or the Caribbean looking to explore opportunities in European funding programmes? Don't miss our upcoming online training workshop, designed specifically for you!

Date & Time: 15th October at 16:00 CET

Who Should Attend: Latin American and Caribbean researchers and enterprises interested in participating in European Union-funded projects.

What You Will Learn:

• Insights into European funding programmes such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus+.
• Tools and networks for finding European partners, including repositories, brokerage tools, and expert networks.
• Effective methodologies for identifying key European partners and presenting your added value.
• Guidance on managing project proposals in collaboration with European partners, from negotiating your role to developing a budget.
• A brief introduction to proposal writing.

Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your network and enhance your skills in securing EU project funding.

Register now and take your first step towards successful collaboration with Europe!

[27-28 August 2024] Fostering EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation - Bogota, Colombia

• On 26-27 August, the EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Initiative organized a networking event for 10 European and 10 Latin American and Caribbean-based start-up incubators and accelerators in Bogota, Colombia. The purpose of the event was to introduce the participants to each other, thus laying the foundation for trusted partnership and collaborative actions benefitting start-ups and innovators from both continents. The programmme included matchmaking sessions, presentations on the Colombian tech ecosystem, the launch of thematic challenges related to the digital and green transitions, pitches by local entrepreneurs, and a panel discussion on the potential of the blue economy. Some event participants also discussed the potential of EU-LAC innovation cooperation during a panel hosted by the Bogota Chamber of Commerce in the context of the Colombia Techweek. Following the event, the participants will continue to engage with each other and pursue their collaborative activities

See the event pictures below: