By Andres Tejeda
Perhaps the term “Entrepreneurial Ecosystem” is difficult to understand. Let’s explain it briefly. In nature, an ecosystem is made up of various species and independent living organisms that share the same habitat. The same thing happens in a Entrepreneurial Ecosystem:Entrepreneurs, companies, academic and scientific institutions, incubators and accelerators, the state, the financial sector and third sector organizations coexist here.
. Each one with a different purpose, but sharing the same habitat and the same vision of the future.
The environment is key
The environment in which ventures and companies carry out their activities has a lot to do with their results and their evolution. It is said that “two people in a garage can change the world, as long as they live two blocks from Stanford.” This phrase alludes to the success of Steve Jobs and Stephen Wozniak in creating Apple, largely thanks to the support of the Stanford ecosystem. Within an entrepreneurial ecosystem
We can distinguish two large groups: entrepreneurship support institutions and entrepreneurs. Las “Support institutions” are those that provide assistance to entrepreneurship
through public policy, training, technical assistance, financing and linkage. LosEntrepreneurs, meanwhile, are those who find an opportunity
they carry out an idea and create a business, using the support structure of the institutions.
It is essential that entrepreneurs, institutions and companies work for the emergence and growth of new projects. The degree of evolution of an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem will be given by the diversity of actors
(people or organizations) that are in each of the aforementioned sectors and their capacity to generate, individually, as well as together, increasingly favorable conditions for the emergence and development of ventures that allow the creation of wealth, sustainable development and that contribute to the diversification of the productive matrix of the region.
In our region, since the end of 2016, there has been the Alto Valle Entrepreneurial Ecosystem – EEAV –. A decentralized and collaborative space made up of universities, government sectors, entrepreneurial communities, business chambers and banks. From which various initiatives have been promoted and for which we must continue working to consolidate it, with the incorporation of all the necessary actors and the creation of more and better initiatives. What is the contribution of each of these actors?
Educational institutions Songreat sensitizers of the entrepreneurial spirit, in addition to promoting new ventures
as well as assistance to existing ones and, at more advanced levels, helping entrepreneurs continue to acquire skills and improve existing ones.
In this case, we can mention institutions such as the IFES secondary school, with entrepreneurial workshops; the National University of Comahue, with the Diploma in Management and Management of SMEs and the SME University Center; the University of Flores, with the Chair of Entrepreneurs and Bizion, the first business school in Patagonia.
Incubators Are those thatThey accompany the process of transforming an idea or project into a business
. In the region, we can highlight the work of the ADENEU SME Center incubator with its various programs.
In a world where innovation and creativity are drivers of progress, it is essential that entrepreneurs, institutions and companies work together to create an environment conducive to the emergence and growth of new projects.
Accelerators Son entities that promote the growth of startups
(fast-growing agile companies), through advice, links with other actors and financing. Their focus is on companies that can scale quickly. In the country there are NXTP Labs, Cites, Wayra, Incutex, among others. But none has a strong presence in the Upper Valley.
Big enterprises The link between these and entrepreneursopens a great opportunity to generate open innovation processes
, since ideas, knowledge and perspectives that are not biased by the corporate are used. Those that make these connections challenge their own culture to immerse themselves in disruptive processes that reduce costs, research times and allow agile innovation. Some examples are: Bagó and Ford, among others.
Networks and communities Non-profit organizations that They aim to contribute to the emergence of more and better companies
such as Endeavor and ASEA. The latter also promotes public policies such as the Entrepreneurs Law and the Knowledge Economy Law.
Investors and funds These They are usually businessmen, entrepreneurs (called angel investors) or private companies (investment funds).
with interests in innovative projects in their areas of experience. They invest capital, provide knowledge and relationships in exchange for a percentage of the company. Some examples are: the CREA and IAE angel investor clubs, among others, and the investment funds: Mercado Libre Found, Alaya Capital, Globant Ventures, among others. Unfortunately, there are practically no investments of this type in the Upper Valley.
Government The government is who must generate the public policies necessary for the emergence of new companies
and promote the development of existing ones. Reducing bureaucracy and costs. Providing tax incentives and financial assistance.
In summary, the success and consolidation of the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem does not only depend on the presence of its various actors, but also on their collaboration, articulation and synergy. In a world where innovation and creativity are drivers of progress, it is essential that entrepreneurs, institutions and companies work together to create an environment conducive to the emergence and growth of new projects. With the continued commitment of all those involved,
We can strengthen our Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and contribute to the economic and social development of our region.