Chile’s accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) exposed one of the main shortcomings of its economic model: its dependence on a purely extractive structure. In this context, the country faces the challenge of consolidating a knowledge-based economy to achieve sustainable development.
In order to establish a technology transfer platform capable of managing R&D results and turning them into innovations with national and international impact, in 2018 Corfo created the Know Hub Chile corporation, with the goal of improving productivity and diversifying the Chilean economy.
With that same goal, in 2019 the corporation launched Know Hub Ignition, a program designed to support the formation and maturation of startups, promoting innovation and the transfer of research results for the benefit of society, which this year reaches its fifth edition: Know Hub Ignition 05.
Customer discovery methodology
Know Hub Ignition was designed based on programs such as Corfo’s “Go to Market” and the customer discovery methodology implemented by the NSF (National Science Foundation), focusing on validating science- and technology-based proposals and connecting them with industry.
The Ignition program also incorporated distinctive elements such as company set-up, which provides legal and strategic support in company creation, team building, intellectual property management, technology transfer and access to private capital.
Its first edition, in 2019, attracted 53 teams, of which 11 were selected and 4 traveled to California for an immersion with investors.
In 2020, 66 teams took part, with 14 selected and 3 finalists who, due to the pandemic, completed their immersion virtually. In 2021, instead of repeating the program, Catálisis was developed together with other hubs to support winning startups from the Startup Ciencia program.
In 2023, Know Hub Ignition returned with 114 teams, 49 selected, 10 finalists and 3 winners, plus the support of Lockheed Martin and CircularTec. In 2024, it was held in partnership with Mexico’s Tecnológico de Monterrey, attracting 147 teams from Latin America, of which 41 were selected and 3 were winners.
In this new edition, supported by Chile’s National Research and Development Agency (ANID), a highlight is the support from the network of national and international mentors that participants will receive, along with training in technology transfer and opportunities to connect with investors.
Specifically, the international and national mentors will provide strategic support and strengthen the teams’ growth in the global market.
This effort is led by Alexandra Orozco, a specialist in innovation, technology commercialization and international business expansion with more than 20 years of experience, who has led initiatives at the University of California, Riverside, driving entrepreneurship and technology incubation. She has also worked with startups and companies in North America and Latin America.
Oscar Astudillo, Strategic Alliances manager at Know Hub Chile, stressed that “Know Hub Ignition drives the development of science- and technology-based ventures, connecting them with the global innovation ecosystem.”
“Through specialized mentoring and strategies, the program strengthens the value proposition, validates solutions with customers, protects technology assets and structures business models, making it easier for them to scale and access investment,” Astudillo said.
How to apply to Know Hub Ignition 05?
Teams that want to be part of this experience can apply from March 17 to May 4, 2025. After the winning teams are selected, the program will support their acceleration and growth, designing work and investment plans tailored to their needs. The plans will include up to USD 100,000 for training, governance and development activities, not delivered in cash.
Know Hub Ignition is aimed at multidisciplinary teams from companies, startups, entrepreneurs, researchers and professionals in Chile. Each team must have at least 3 members, with a combination of technical and business skills.
Participants must also meet requirements such as having at least one member dedicated full-time to the venture, having a validated proof of concept or prototype, being scalable with high international growth potential, and being incorporated in Chile.
Know Hub Ignition drives a knowledge-based economy, covering areas such as biotechnology, robotics, IT and space technologies, among others. Its aim is to develop science and technology solutions with applications across different industries, maximizing their impact and versatility.
“Know Hub Ignition identifies teams with high entrepreneurial potential and supports them in creating and strengthening their value proposition. Through customer validation, protection of technology assets, business model development and corporate structuring, the program drives the scaling of their innovations and their access to investment,” Astudillo said.
Read the original article at https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/economia/negocios-y-empresas/2025/03/21/como-postular-a-know-hub-ignition-05-programa-apoya-la-formacion-y-maduracion-de-startups-en-chile.shtml
