Potenciando un Ecosistema de Emprendimiento e Innovación en Loja, Ecuador - el caso del Parque Científico y Tecnológico UTPL
Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios – UNIMINUTO
Ecuador presenta la Tasa de Actividad Emprendedora Temprana (TEA) más alta de la región, pero la mayoría de los emprendimientos son de subsistencia. Loja es una ciudad intermedia de Ecuador, su economía se sostiene por sectores tradicionales como construcción, comercio y transporte, con un bajo nivel de innovación. En este contexto, la Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL) crea el Parque Científico y Tecnológico UTPL (PCyT) para impulsar sus esfuerzos en emprendimiento e innovación, y conectar con otros actores externos a la Universidad. A través de este análisis de caso, se describen los principales resultados obtenidos en relación con los pilares fundamentales del PCyT UTPL y su vinculación con los diferentes actores. En el año 2021 el programa de incubación de Prendho, graduó a 38 emprendimientos e involucró en un programa de aceleración a 19 empresas. A través de la Cátedra de Innovación y Emprendimiento se formaron 97 docentes, 909 alumnos en modalidad presencial y 2770 en modalidad abierta y a distancia de la UTPL. Se registraron 3 secretos industriales, 6 solicitudes de patentes, 11 registros varios y se creó una spin-off. La Mesa Provincial del Emprendimiento e Innovación es un primer esfuerzo de articulación y vinculación con la cuádruple hélice para potenciar el ecosistema de emprendimiento. En Ecuador, las principales actividades económicas están centralizadas en las grandes ciudades. Este caso describe la articulación de un ecosistema de emprendimiento e innovación en una ciudad intermedia, lo que puede servir de referencia para otras ciudades de Latinoamérica.
Ecuador has the highest Total early-stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) in the region, but most of the business are for subsistence. Loja is an intermediate city in Ecuador, its economy is sustained by traditional sectors such as construction, commerce and transportation, with a low level of innovation. In this context, the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL) creates the UTPL Scientific and Technological Park (PCyT) to promote its efforts in entrepreneurship and innovation and connect with other external actors. Through this case analysis, the main results obtained in relation to the fundamental pillars of the PCyT UTPL and its relationship with the different actors are described. In 2021, the Prendho’s incubation program graduated 38 startups and involved 19 companies in an acceleration program. Through the Chair of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 97 teachers, 909 students in campus and 2,770 in open and distance mode from UTPL were trained. Three industrial secrets, 6 patent applications, 11 various IPs were registered, and one spin-off was created. The Provincial Board of Entrepreneurship and Innovation is a first effort of articulation and linkage with the quadruple helix to enhance the entrepreneurship ecosystem. In Ecuador, the main economic activities are centralized in large cities. This case describes the articulation of an entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in an intermediate city, which can serve as a reference for other cities in Latin America.
Ecuador has the highest Total early-stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) in the region, but most of the business are for subsistence. Loja is an intermediate city in Ecuador, its economy is sustained by traditional sectors such as construction, commerce and transportation, with a low level of innovation. In this context, the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL) creates the UTPL Scientific and Technological Park (PCyT) to promote its efforts in entrepreneurship and innovation and connect with other external actors. Through this case analysis, the main results obtained in relation to the fundamental pillars of the PCyT UTPL and its relationship with the different actors are described. In 2021, the Prendho’s incubation program graduated 38 startups and involved 19 companies in an acceleration program. Through the Chair of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 97 teachers, 909 students in campus and 2,770 in open and distance mode from UTPL were trained. Three industrial secrets, 6 patent applications, 11 various IPs were registered, and one spin-off was created. The Provincial Board of Entrepreneurship and Innovation is a first effort of articulation and linkage with the quadruple helix to enhance the entrepreneurship ecosystem. In Ecuador, the main economic activities are centralized in large cities. This case describes the articulation of an entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in an intermediate city, which can serve as a reference for other cities in Latin America.
Suárez Chacón, J.P., Eguiguren, M., Vicuña, F., Mahauad, M.D., y Vega, M. (2025). Potenciando un Ecosistema de Emprendimiento e Innovación en Loja, Ecuador - el caso del Parque Científico y Tecnológico UTPL. En F. Daniels, y E. Giualiani (comps.). 4H La cuádruple hélice en acción: experiencias de vinculación entre academica, gobierno, empresa y sociedad civil en Iberoamérica. Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios – UNIMINUTO.