UCR Announces Incubation Challenge for Latin American Startups

By: Sharjeel Sohaib

• 

Nov 8, 2022

 • 

UC Riverside

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Key Points

  • The University of California, Riverside (UCR) will support technology-based startup companies from Latin America that want to commercialize their innovations in the US Market.
  • UCR has announced a program called “UCR EPIC International Incubation Challenge” for Latin American tech startups.
  • Six (6) LATAM startups will be selected to receive $100,000 in prizes ($40,000 in cash + $60,000 in expert mentoring support from UC Riverside and a trip to Riverside California for the winner).

UCR EPIC International Incubation program

You can access the contest rules here.

With over 15 years of experience successfully commercializing technologies in the United States, the Latin American-fluent UCR EPIC International Incubator program is supported by a team of seasoned entrepreneurs and technology transfer professionals. They help with:

  • Market research
  • Access to Capital
  • Technology development roadmap and validation

A group of more than 15 mentors supports the UCR EPIC International Incubator and pools their extensive industry connections to achieve a successful market entry. 

The team created the COMUNITT platform to share tools and best practices across the area’s technology transfer and entrepreneur communities. It has assisted over 100 universities and innovators throughout Latin America.

Incubation Challenge Empowering the Latin Americans in Riverside

Locally and globally, UC Riverside actively contributes to advancing technology and the economy. This competition aims to support Latin American technology innovators and aid them in interacting with the Southern California ecosystem so they may market their products in the US. 

This competition responds to the urgent demand of Latin American businesspeople for capital and contacts to enter the US market. A total of $100,000 in prizes—$40,000 in cash, $60,000 in expert mentorship support from UC Riverside, and a trip to Riverside, California for the winner—will be awarded to six (6) LATAM entrepreneurs.

Eligibility Criteria for the Challenge

The applicants must be the founders or key personnel of a LATAM tech firm engaged in sustainable development.

  1. Prospective applicants from the following are accepted:
  • Technology in agriculture and food safety
  • Renewable sources of power and fuel
  • Infrastructure and transportation that is sustainable
  • Managing natural resources
  • Public health and health inequalities
  • Evolution of People 
  1. The startup applicant must have undertaken consumer validation in their own country and have at least a functional prototype of their technology on display.
  1. A patent application or intellectual property protection must cover the applicant’s technology. The startup should own the technology or have been protected by a licensing or ownership arrangement.
  1. Applicants must have created a straightforward, non-technical, public pitch deck presentation of their company.
  1. Applicants must be connected to an innovation program, university technology transfer office, incubator, or accelerator in their country of residence.

Mentors of the Incubation Challenge

A group of knowledgeable mentors is on staff at UC Riverside. They are committed to providing entrepreneurs and innovators with specialized support for idea creation, fundraising, commercialization, validation, and incubation.

A highly skilled set of mentors with extensive experience in many different business technology domains will be chosen for the UCR EPIC Eurosemillas International Incubation Challenge. They will offer their professional advice and opinions. These mentors will participate in the judging panel for the semi-final presentations and review and rate the applications.  The winning teams will also engage with mentors to investigate potential and establish contacts in the US market. 

Wrap Up!

A group of seasoned business owners and experts in technology transfer assist the UCR EPIC International Incubation Challenge for Latin American Startups. The initiative aids international business owners in researching market opportunities in the US. 

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