Enrich – Enrich in LAC

EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Network Strengthens Ties at Second In-Person Meeting in Madrid

Enrich — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 14:15:33 +0000

EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Network Holds Second In-Person Gathering in Madrid
Strengthening Collaboration at the Madrid Gathering

Madrid, 9 June 2025. From 2 to 6 June, the EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Network held its second in-person meeting in Madrid, bringing together more than 35 incubators and accelerators from Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean. The gathering focused on collaboration and the development of new joint initiatives.

The EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Network held its second in-person meeting in Madrid from 2 to 6 June, bringing together more than 35 incubators and accelerators from Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean. The meeting focused on building cooperation and launching new joint initiatives.

The programme included bilateral meetings, roundtables on funding and scaling, exchanges between cohorts and a visit to South Summit Madrid, where participants engaged with investors, companies and policymakers. Institutions such as the European Business and Innovation Centre Network, EUREKA, the National Cybersecurity Institute and Fundación madri+d joined the discussions.

The Network welcomed new members including Universidad de Costa Rica, USIL Ventures, IMPAQTO, Instituto Pedro Nunes, Technoport SA, InnovX and Start2 Group. These organisations join existing partners such as Tetuan Valley, Fundación madri+d and the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator.

Key outcomes included new bilateral agreements, the launch of joint roadmaps and preparations for upcoming activities such as immersion weeks, climate-focused ideation programmes, mentoring schemes and co-hosted events.

Next steps include the launch of a LinkedIn community to complement existing communication channels such as the WhatsApp group and the weekly EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation bulletin.

The EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Network invites incubators and accelerators from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean to join and contribute to stronger cooperation across regions.

Biography of His Excellency Mr. Justice Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona (Ret’d), O.R.T.T., S.C.

Enrich — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 13:45:20 +0000

Mr. Justice Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona (Ret’d) O.R.T.T., S.C. (Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Senior Counsel) is the fifth President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago having served from 2013-2018. Justice Carmona graduated from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, Jamaica with a Bachelor of Arts in English, International Politics and Law (Hons) and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) UWI, Cavehill, Barbados. He also earned his legal Education Certificate (LEC) from the Sir Hugh Wooding Law School, UWI, St. Augustine.
Justice Carmona has worked in public service all his life, as a secondary school teacher, a lecturer and senior tutor at University of the West Indies, as a prosecutor at National and International Levels for over twenty-one years and as a Criminal High Court Judge for some ten years. He worked at the Office of the Director Public Prosecutions in Trinidad and Tobago from 1983 to 2000, attaining the posts of Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions and Acting Director of Public Prosecutions. For some four years, he was a Senior Appeals Counsel at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in The Hague, Holland. These courts were mandated by the United Nations Security Council to prosecute Politicians, Generals and Camp Commanders responsible for crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. In 2002, he was bestowed with the distinction of ‘Silk’ and is a Senior Counsel.
Justice Carmona also served during his career as the Legal Advisor in Criminal Law to the late President Arthur N.R. Robinson at the United Nations Preparatory Conferences on the Rome Statute which established the International Criminal Court (ICC). Justice Carmona was elected by the United Nations Assembly of State Parties on 12 December, 2011 in New York as an International Criminal Court Judge but resigned to serve as the Fifth President of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and was sworn-in on 18 March 2013.
His sterling accomplishments, contributions and distinguished service as a Regional and International Jurist were honoured and celebrated by The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine as they bestowed him an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) on the 23 October, 2014. Justice Carmona was also appointed Chancellor of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), on the 25 October, 2013, a position he held for five years.
As a Senior Puisne Judge on the Criminal Bench, Justice Carmona initiated the “The Bail Boys Project” as a workable component of Restorative Justice, a project which has been internationally recognised and commended for its affirmative impact on recidivism.
Justice Carmona has been sought after as a keynote speaker locally, regionally and internationally by many international NGOs, the United Nations and international institutions delivering addresses on Climate Change, the environment, the law of the sea, biodiversity, deforestation, crime, money laundering, drug interdiction and intervention Restorative Justice, Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), recidivism, the International Criminal Court (ICC), pressing social, economic and health issues, youth and female empowerment initiatives, Persons with Disabilities, education and Caribbean integration.
Justice Carmona was the keynote speaker at the inauguration and launch of the International Day of Conscience at the United Nations Vienna, Austria, April 2019. Justice Carmona has been the recipient of several awards among them, Rotary International’s prestigious award, the Paul Harris Award. He was also conferred with the World Peace Culture Award for his relentless advocacy for peace, justice and human rights for all. It is quoted, “He has admirably leveraged his influence to build a peace culture through his inspirational speeches and actions.” Specifically, he gave the feature address at the World Peace Summit in Korea in February, 2019 and in October 2018, was the keynote speaker at the World Chief Justices Conference in Lucknow, India on the rule of law, peace and justice.
Justice Carmona is the patron of many NGOs and organisations in Trinidad and Tobago. Among them, the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and the Carbon Zero Initiative of Trinidad and Tobago (CZITT). Justice Carmona was recently awarded the Global HOPE Award for demonstrating extraordinary commitment to inclusive leadership, regenerative impact and social equity from Worldwide People with Disabilities (WPWD).
Justice Carmona is a songwriter, composer and Calypsonian with the sobriquet, ‘The Prophet of Sisyphus’ and has sung professionally in his earlier years in the Calypso Tents and competitions. He is an avid supporter of culture, arts, football and cricket and plays lawn tennis competitively.
Justice Carmona is married to former First Lady of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Mrs. Reema Carmona and they have two children a son, Christian and a daughter, Anura.

ENRICH in LAC Innovation Talks: Innovative Alternative Fuels for Aviation in Brazil (YouTube)

Enrich — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 13:30:42 +0000

On July 5th, 2023, ENRICH in LAC organized a session for the Innovation Talks with the theme Innovative Alternative Fuels for Aviation in Brazil.

The demand for fuels in Brazil is rising rapidly with an annual growth rate of around 5%. Expanding the supply of existing alternative fuels in Brazil, such as biodiesel and ethanol, cannot keep pace with this development, or could lead to increased, undesirable environmental side effects. In the National Strategy of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTIC), therefore, alternative fuels are a priority in order to continue to meet growing demand with innovative technological alternatives while contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The invited experts are expected to share insights and exchange experience in their specific field of activity and discuss the potential responses actual challenges in their countries.

Watch it now:

ENRICH in LAC Webinar webinar Market Immersion Programme

Enrich — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 11:05:33 +0000

The webinar “Market Immersion Programme” focuses on cross-border entrepreneurship cooperation from Portugal and Spain to Brazil, with a specific emphasis on discussing business cooperation and networking, international support for SMEs, international market access, and innovation ecosystems.

This event brings together chambers of commerce, agencies, organizations, and bilateral institutions from Portugal and Spain involved in internationalization, innovation, and cooperation within Europe and Brazil.

Participants will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights into business practices and consumer behaviour specific to relations between Iberian countries and Brazil.

SMEs from Portugal and Spain are invited to be part of this webinar and to acquire important ideas about new ventures in Brazil.

When: July 21st 2023
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 PM (CET) / 10:00 AM – 12 PM (BRT)

(European Innovation Council) European Prize for Women Innovators

Enrich — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:54:36 +0000

For the 2023 – 2024 edition, the European Innovation Council and the European Institute for Innovation & Technology have teamed up to create a bigger and bolder European Prize for Women Innovators, with no fewer than 9 prizes to be awarded.

Applications are open until 27 September 2023 at 17:00 CET.

About

The European Prize for Women Innovators celebrates the women entrepreneurs behind Europe’s most ground-breaking innovations. The prize awards women from across the EU and countries associated to Horizon Europe, whose disruptive innovations are driving positive change for people and planet.

The prize is managed jointly by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency and the European Institute for Innovation & Technology. The winners are chosen by an independent expert jury.

ENRICH in LAC knowledge pill: A good practice example on innovation support services

Enrich — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 13:36:50 +0000

The aim of the Knowledge Pill is to deliver relevant content to those who follow the interests and synergies that the ENRICH in LAC initiative creates between Europe and Latin America through a dynamic and short video.

In June 2023, it was time for Andrea Kindler, Head of Funding Services at the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), to share a good practice example on innovation support services.

Watch it now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-1PtBBfoYM

ENRICH in LAC Innovation Talks online: Innovative Alternative Fuels for Aviation in Brazil

Enrich — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 10:17:12 +0000

The aim of the project is the further development of fuels from renewable energies (solar, wind, hydropower but not primarily biomass) and their conversion into aviation use in Brazil. Thus, impulses of global reach for climate protection can be set.

The invited experts are expected to share insights and exchange experience in their specific field of activity and discuss the potential responses actual challenges in their countries.

Our keynote speaker is Jürgen Kern, Project Manager at the DLR Institute of Networked Energy

Participants:

· Dr. Eng. Carlos R. Ilário da Silva, Head of Zero Emission, EMBRAER, Brazil

· Dr.-Ing. Achim Schaadt, Head of Department Sustainable Synthesis Products; Hydrogen Technologies; Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

· Amanda Duarte Duarte Gondim, Professor, UFRN / RBQAV, Brazil

· Fabiola Correia, Researcher ISI SENAI Renewable Energy Intistute

On behalf of ENRICH in LAC:

Filipe Cassapo, ENRICH in LAC Association, Brazil

Marco Quirino, ENRICH in LAC Association, Brazil

Date: 05.07.2023

Time: 09:00 – 11:00 BRT

14:00 – 16:00 CET

ENRICH in LAC Innovation Tour to São Paulo

Enrich — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 10:04:38 +0000

The objective of the Innovation Tour 2023 is to provide an opportunity to European SMEs, startups, applied research organizations, clusters, and techno parks to get to know the Brazilian STI landscape and some of the main stakeholders in the LAC region. To explore the cutting-edge technology ecosystem in São Paulo within the defined priority fields.

Participants will have the chance to meet the major technology players in the sustainability and innovation fields and present their idea/product/service. The Innovation Tour is a unique networking experience that connects European entrepreneurs with companies’ agencies, funding organisations, and intermediaries in Brazil.

The programme of the Innovation Tour – happening from the 25th to 29th of September – includes the participation in the 10th International Industry Innovation Congress (from CNI – Confederação Nacional da Indústria) on 27-28 September 2023 in São Paulo, visits to groundbreaking industries and companies in São Paulo, training in internationalization, and more opportunities for networking and business growth.

Who can participate?
– start-ups
– research community (applied research)
– techno parks, clusters, cluster organizations
– innovative companies (SME) interested in internationalization towards the LAC region
– representatives of other EU initiatives / projects

Priority areas: Eco innovation (Bioeconomy, renewable energy, green transition & digital transition)

Limited travel support is available! Please check out the ENRICH in LAC Outreach Grants:

Important: The deadline for applications for the travel support is June 30th, 2023!

Outreach Grants Call

Innovation Tour Call Document

ENRICH in LAC Call: Support in the Exploitation of Results

Enrich — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 09:21:37 +0000

The European Network of Research and Innovation Centres and Hubs in Latin America and Caribbean (ENRICH in LAC) has opened a Call for Support in the Exploitation of Results to provide a free-of-charge service for ten (10) Horizon 2020 (H2020) and/or Horizon Europe (HE) projects with geographical scope in Europe and/or LAC that need assistance in developing the exploitation of their project’s results.

Projects with a focus on research and innovation in sustainable urbanization, bioeconomy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) or Digitalization/Industry 4.0, through High-Performance Computing (HPC) deployment, and in Renewable Energy will be prioritized.

ENRICH in LAC will provide one online workshop and one mentoring session (one-on-one) to help in the exploitation of the results from finished and/or continuing research initiatives through three options of support services:

Project Risk Analysis – Learn to identify the risks and potential obstacles to the exploitation of project results towards Europe and in LAC.
Business Plan Development – Learn how to support projects towards commercialisation of their products or services.
Assistance for Patenting – Learn the different stages of protection of intellectual property rights in LAC and/or in the EU.

The full call document can be seen here.

An Application Form is available to be downloaded and filled out with the required information.

The deadline for applications sent by email is 07/07/2023 by 7 pm CET.

Application Form

Call Document

(SLH: tecnoPARQ) Brasilesia: programa de aceleração internacional envia startups brasileiras para a Polônia

Enrich — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 09:35:35 +0000

O programa Brasilesia, uma iniciativa conjunta entre Polônia e Brasil, foi anunciado durante o South Summit Brazil, evento de inovação realizado no final de março no Rio Grande do Sul. O programa tem como objetivo apoiar startups com potencial para escalarem globalmente por meio de técnicas e estratégias de capacitação. Serão selecionadas 12 startups, seis de cada país, para um período de três meses de treinamento, que incluirá workshops e webinars.

As startups selecionadas receberão apoio de parceiros de programas especiais para o segmento, cujo foco é ajudá-las a superar as barreiras legais no início da internacionalização. O Brasilesia é fruto de um acordo de cooperação inicialmente formado entre a Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), por meio do tecnoPARQ, e a região da Silésia, na Polônia, aos quais se juntaram atores do Paraná. Além do tecnoPARQ/UFV e das associações polonesas, os fundos de investimentos venture capital poloneses (INVENTO VC), KSSE (Katowice Economic Zone), e a empresa polonesa especializada na transferência e comercialização de tecnologia SPINUS, o programa conta hoje com apoio e participação da Assespro-PR, do Governo de Minas Gerais, do Instituto de Desenvolvimento Integrado de Minas Gerais (INDI), da Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) e da Rede Europeia de Centros e Hubs de Pesquisa e Inovação na América Latina e no Caribe (ENRICH).

O Brasil é um celeiro de startups, com cerca de 12 mil empresas em atividade, sendo a maioria atuante no setor de Tecnologia da Informação. A Polônia, por sua vez, concentra o maior polo de startups da Europa. O programa de aceleração internacional é fruto do International Urban and Regional Cooperation Program, do qual Paraná e Minas Gerais participaram, estabelecendo relações com a região polonesa da Silésia.

É importante destacar que o programa Brasilesia é totalmente gratuito para as startups selecionadas e que as inscrições estão abertas até o dia 18/06/2023. Se você tem uma startup com potencial para escalar globalmente, não perca essa oportunidade!

Acesse o link https://www.brasilesia.com para mais informações e inscreva-se agora mesmo.