NEWSROOM

Friendship formed with Chilean centre of innovation excellence

The University of Auckland Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship recently hosted a delegation from Chile, here in New Zealand to research international best-practice in entrepreneurship eco-system building.

The group comprised of representatives from the Chilean Embassy, indigenous entrepreneurs from Santiago and members of Incuba UC, the Pontifical Catholic University’s business incubator. The cohort represented Emprende Tremün, a progressive and forward-thinking programme which seeks to promote entrepreneurship among the indigenous population of the Santiago Metropolitan Region.

Staff from the University of Auckland were delighted to host the group, particularly as the Pontifical Catholic University is a partner university. While at the University the group were given a tour of Unleash Space, the University of Auckland’s innovation hub and maker space. They also learnt about the suite of programmes the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship runs, designed to develop both practical skills and entrepreneurial mindset in our students.

César Verdugo, Programme Manager at Incuba UC, the Pontifical Catholic University’s business incubator, said “Our delegation was amazed by the fact that the students have the chance to operate the equipment themselves, allowing for a much more immersive creative experience, and by the collaboration and creation of a technical community within Unleash Space that allows to co-construct ideas. They were also very impressed by the different successful programmes that the centre runs throughout the year, the resources they deliver and the connections with the business community.”

Víctor Painequir, founder of indigenous gastronomic marketplace Emporio Pewma, said “For us this has been a great experience and a new awakening. We are going back home loaded with new learning and we will continue working to make our dreams come true. We are very grateful to New Zealand and its people.” 

Associate Director of the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Ken Erskine, welcomed the opportunity to engage with South American counterparts and says there is much we can learn from Chile. “On a global scale Chile has done a great job in looking to attract entrepreneurs from offshore with its ‘Start-up Chile’ initiative.”

Business School lecturer and fellow Chilean Dr Jose Brache is also very enthusiastic about the wealth of knowledge and expertise that was encountered. “We are very keen to keep the communication channels open and further build on this new friendship.”