We’re happy with the day we experienced yesterday, here at our home, right in downtown Santiago. It was a key moment for the country’s innovation ecosystem: together with the President of the Republic, Gabriel Boric Font, authorities, entrepreneurs, and public- and private-sector leaders, we officially inaugurated startuplab.01, marking the beginning of a new chapter for science and applied technology in Chile.
The central milestone of the event was the unveiling of the totem, which symbolized the opening of this space and the start of its operations. From now on, our labs are operational, ready to welcome startups and teams looking to turn scientific knowledge into concrete solutions.
During the inauguration, our Executive Director, Francisca Contreras, highlighted the value of the collaborative work we foster from this space: “Today we’re inaugurating this place, but what matters most is what’s going to happen inside: a space where ideas are put to the test, where talent connects, and where innovation happens when we work together.”
The President of the Republic, Gabriel Boric, also underscored the importance of having scientific and technological infrastructure in the heart of the city: “startuplab reflects where Chile is looking. It’s not an isolated initiative: it’s a space right in downtown Santiago dedicated to science and technology, which will enable ventures to grow and create a virtuous ecosystem around it.”
Meanwhile, Corfo’s Executive Vice President, José Miguel Benavente, focused on the impact this space will have on the country’s productive development: “startuplab.01 is a concrete tool to translate science and technology into productivity, new companies, and solutions that add real value. Spaces like this allow talent to stay, grow, and scale from Chile.”
Joining us during the day were Pablo Zamora, President of Fundación Chile; national and regional authorities, including Álvaro García, Minister of Economy and Energy; Suina Chahuán, Undersecretary of Mining; Claudio Orrego, Governor of Santiago; and Congressman Diego Schalper, as well as representatives from entrepreneurship, science, and innovation.
Located in NIDO Lucía—Territoria’s new real estate project focused on innovation and entrepreneurship—startuplab.01 is consolidating as a meeting point for teamwork among startups, academia, large companies, and the public sector.
During the day we also announced Codelco’s addition as a founding partner, joining BancoEstado and BID Lab, strengthening a public-private alliance aimed at accelerating technological development from Chile.
With this inauguration, we officially begin operations as a living, collaborative space connected to the city, from downtown Santiago to the country and the world.
