Catálisis is the name of the initiative of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, whose ultimate goal is to foster a learning community around entrepreneurship in this field.
The program is being carried out by institutions with expertise in technology transfer, namely the hubs APTA, Know Hub and HubTec, together with Endeavor Chile, which brings acceleration expertise.
With the participation of the Undersecretary of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, Carolina Torrealba, the Catálisis program was officially launched as a complement to Startup Ciencia, with the aim of supporting and strengthening science-based startups (EBCTs) with high growth potential.
Welcoming attendees to the launch event, held virtually, the undersecretary said: “We are delighted to launch this support program for science- and technology-based startups, whose purpose is to build a learning community through the exchange of experiences among the various EBCTs and the different science, technology, knowledge and innovation ecosystems. Today, 23 EBCTs are starting this acceleration journey. However, understanding that science- and technology-based startups are a master key to transforming our society, we have decided to promote a series of open initiatives so that other EBCTs can join and be part of this process.”
The program included a total of 31 EBCTs, of which 23 were selected to advance to the final phase of acceleration and national and international networking. The launch featured the case of Airflux, a women-led startup that monitors environmental pollutants using an IoT-based sensor node and that, during the pandemic, has focused on detecting Covid-19 particles.
“We are scientists, we lack training in commercial strategy, and this program brings together the methodologies and the national and international networks that give us the chance to access funding. So when we had the option to apply to Catálisis and saw the institutions behind it, we said: ‘This is what we need’ ”, said Yeanice Vásquez, founding partner of Airflux.
The event also included a panel with Varinka Farren, executive director of Hub APTA; María Paz Merino, head of Science- and Technology-Based Entrepreneurship at the Ministry of Science; Mariana Poblete, Selection and Growth Manager at Endeavor Chile; Javier Ramírez, executive director of Know Hub; and Ignacio Merino, executive director of HubTec. The panelists discussed the role of EBCTs in the country’s development and the gaps they must overcome to consolidate as companies, which are more challenging than those of a traditional startup.
Catálisis phases
Catálisis includes a training plan using the I-Corps methodology (originally developed by the University of California, Riverside) and an acceleration plan that includes building a roadmap and strategic support, as well as national and international networking activities that run through all stages of the program.
As additional support for the EBCTs, the program is forming a Network of Mentors specialized in the field, who will follow the startups’ progress in both the training and acceleration phases.
The program’s ultimate goal is to foster a learning community around entrepreneurship, encouraging connections and knowledge sharing between entrepreneurs and the different players in the science and technology ecosystem.
