Four decades advancing entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development in Puerto Rico.
From our earliest economic development efforts to the initiatives we lead today, we have evolved alongside Puerto Rico for four decades, promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, collaboration, and new opportunities for our community.
We began our journey with the establishment of the Economic Development Center (CDE) at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus (UPRM), as an Economic Development University Center. This effort laid the foundation for decades of work dedicated to Puerto Rico's economic and business development.
We expanded our business support efforts with the creation of Proyecto Contacto PYMES (SME Contact Project), an initiative focused on strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises through technical and management assistance.
We continued promoting an entrepreneurial culture within the university through the creation of new entrepreneurship courses and the organization of the Latin American Symposium on Entrepreneurship (Simposio Latinoamericano de Espíritu Empresarial).
We strengthened the university's business support infrastructure with the establishment of the Business Development Center (CDN) at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, specifically within the College of Business Administration.
We contributed to the development of an increasingly connected ecosystem through the creation of the Technology Corridor, later known as PRTEC. This initiative strengthened collaboration among UPRM, CDE, CDN, and other stakeholders involved in regional economic development.
We expanded our reach into community development through the Community Economic Development Certification, offered in collaboration with the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies.
We developed new educational resources to support our communities through the publication of CDE's Proposal Preparation Guide for Community Programs and Projects.
We celebrated the talent and entrepreneurial initiative of our university community with the first edition of the University Business Success Award (Premio Éxito Empresarial Universitario).
The staff of the Economic Development Center at UPRM received recognition from Caborrojeños Pro Salud y Ambiente, Inc. for their guidance and collaboration with the community organization, highlighting their contribution to its development and their commitment to service.
We continued expanding our collaborative network through the integration of Guayacán and the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust into UPRM's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
We contributed to strengthening entrepreneurship education at the Campus when the Academic Senate approved Certification 06-19 for the Entrepreneurship Curricular Sequence, developed with the support of CDN.
The Economic Development Center received a Certificate of Recognition from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, for achieving a "Best Practice" rating in two categories of its Administrative Assessment Plan: Mission and Responsibilities and Services.
We entered a new institutional chapter with the merger of the Economic Development Center and the Business Development Center. This union officially established the Business and Economic Development Center (CNDE), bringing decades of experience together under one organization.
We strengthened the connection between research, innovation, and economic development through the creation of the Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization, aimed at promoting the protection and commercialization of knowledge generated at the University of Puerto Rico.
We created new opportunities to transform ideas into projects through Innovación Colegial, an initiative developed in collaboration with PRTEC and CNDE.
We expanded our partnerships within the business ecosystem by joining the Echar Pa' Lante movement and collaborating with Babson College on efforts to strengthen entrepreneurship.
We celebrated the recognition awarded by PRTEC to Dr. Moraima De Hoyos as Entrepreneurial Ambassador, highlighting her contributions and collaboration with entrepreneurial efforts developed through CNDE.
UPRM joined VentureWell's Pathway to Innovation, opening new opportunities to develop institutional initiatives that strengthened innovation and entrepreneurship across the Campus.
We reached an important academic milestone when the Academic Senate approved the first Minor in Entrepreneurship in the entire University of Puerto Rico system, an effort developed with CNDE's collaboration.
The University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, recognized the Business and Economic Development Center for its outstanding collaboration, contributions, and dedication to research and innovation efforts during the 2014–2015 academic year, helping broaden the Campus's research vision.
We continued strengthening student leadership and a culture of innovation through the creation of the student organization Idea Platform.
We promoted student participation in innovation through University Innovation Fellows (UIF) projects, providing students with training, tools, and support to develop entrepreneurial initiatives.
We held the first Echar Pa' Lante Expo Emprende in collaboration with UPRM and CNDE, creating a new space to connect students, entrepreneurs, and ideas.
We continued creating spaces to transform ideas into opportunities through the establishment of UPRM Startup Lab at PRTEC, developed in collaboration with CNDE.
VentureWell awarded Dr. José Lugo and Dr. Mari Luz Zapata $30,000 to support the development of their innovation and entrepreneurship project. Following the progress achieved, an additional $20,000 was subsequently awarded to continue the initiative and expand its impact.
We held the first edition of the New Venture Design Experience, creating an interdisciplinary experience to transform ideas into solutions and new opportunities for innovation.
We strengthened opportunities for exchanging ideas and knowledge by hosting the first TEDxUPR, providing a platform to share innovative perspectives with our community.
We celebrated UPRM's outstanding performance at the Justas Empresariales business competitions, where our students excelled with CNDE's support and mentorship.
We celebrated the recognition awarded to Dr. José I. Vega Torres, CNDE director, as a Pillar of Entrepreneurship for his contributions to the development of Puerto Rico's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Asociación y Fundación Alumni Colegial recognized UPRM E-Ship Network for its outstanding collaboration in the organization's activities during 2017, highlighting the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem and its contributions to the UPRM community.
We continued developing new ways to support entrepreneurs when VentureWell selected the proposal Virtual Mentorship Program for University Innovators and Entrepreneurs , designed to expand access to mentorship and specialized guidance.
The impact of our initiatives continued to receive recognition when VentureWell highlighted The New Venture Design Experience in the categories of Curricular Innovation and Student Engagement.
We created a new space to bring our community together around innovation with the first Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week (I&E Week), an initiative that would continue growing in the years that followed.
Dr. Jaime Curbelo received $25,000 in VentureWell funding to develop Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship Through an Interdisciplinary Curriculum in Students of Agricultural Sciences in Puerto Rico . This initiative supported the continued integration of innovation and entrepreneurship into new academic fields.
As part of recovery and capacity-building efforts following Hurricane Maria, we received a $500,000 grant to develop the Hurricane Maria Capacity Building Program, expanding our support for organizations and communities.
We reached a new milestone for the innovation ecosystem with the establishment of Puerto Rico's first NSF I-Corps Site, developed in collaboration with CNDE to support the commercialization of emerging technologies and ideas.
We celebrated the recognition of Dr. Moraima de Hoyos, CNDE director, as a Pillar of Puerto Rican Entrepreneurship, highlighting her career and contributions to business development and Puerto Rico's innovation ecosystem.
In response to the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we received a $300,000 grant to develop initiatives aimed at mitigating its effects and continuing to support businesses and communities during a period of significant uncertainty.
We significantly expanded our capacity to support businesses through the development of ÁREA-E, the first business incubator and accelerator in the University of Puerto Rico system. To make this initiative possible, CNDE received $2.5 million in CDBG-DR funding to strengthen and support the growth of small businesses.
We expanded financial support opportunities for entrepreneurs through the Seed Capital Program (Programa Capital Semilla), an initiative supported by a $160,000 contribution from Banco Popular de Puerto Rico to promote the development of new businesses.
We extended our services to nonprofit organizations through the launch of the Non-Profit Organizations Strengthening Initiative for Economic Development , providing resources and assistance to strengthen their organizational and operational capacities.
The Department of Economic Development and Commerce selected CNDE to implement Puerto Rico Innova, allowing us to expand our support for entrepreneurs interested in developing innovative concepts and new growth opportunities.
We are proud to have received the prestigious University Economic Development Association (UEDA) Award for Excellence in Innovation in 2023. This recognition reflects our team's dedication and continued efforts to foster innovation and economic development through education. Receiving this award reaffirmed our commitment to serving as a catalyst for economic and social change within our community and beyond.
We continued representing the talent of our community on national platforms when Dr. José E. Lugo and Dr. Mari L. Zapata, CNDE collaborators, received recognition during the VentureWell Open Conference 2023.
Our participation in the VentureWell Open 2024 Annual Conference in San Diego once again highlighted our community's work, initiatives, and commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship.
We expanded our training and technical assistance efforts with the launch of the PAGM-TAP Program. To implement this initiative, CNDE received a $694,127 grant aimed at strengthening the capacities of entities responsible for administering funds and projects.
We continued integrating emerging technologies into business development with the inauguration of the Mind Market Neuromarketing Lab, the first university-based laboratory of its kind in Puerto Rico. This space expanded the resources available to support research, innovation, and business decision-making.
The Department of Economic Development and Commerce once again selected CNDE to continue implementing Puerto Rico Innova, reaffirming its confidence in our work and allowing us to continue supporting entrepreneurs pursuing innovation and growth.
We celebrated the recognition of Dr. Zapata Ramos, a CNDE collaborator, as part of VentureWell: 30 Spotlights for 30 Years, an initiative highlighting individuals whose careers have made significant contributions to innovation and entrepreneurship.
We entered a new phase of institutional capacity building with the grant award that made the IMPACTO project possible. CNDE received $2,146,051 through the Capacity Building Program (PCB), funded by CDBG-MIT, to develop an initiative focused on strengthening the capacities of nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and government agencies.
We officially launched the implementation of IMPACTO, moving the project from planning into action. Throughout 2026, training workshops, educational activities, and technical assistance efforts began, focusing on strengthening the administrative and operational capacities of nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and government agencies. Through this initiative, we continue expanding our commitment to Puerto Rico's economic and community development.
In 2026, we celebrate four decades of growth, collaboration, and service. We continue building on our history to create new opportunities, strengthen our ecosystem, and contribute to Puerto Rico's economic and social development.