On June 19, the Avonni Awards 2025 were launched at the Federico Santa María Technical University. This significant national distinction is granted by the ForoInnovación foundation on behalf of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, and co-organized by El Mercurio and TVN, with the goal of showcasing and promoting successful innovation cases in Chile.
The event was attended by Lorena Cofré, the Regional Minister of Health for Valparaíso; Dr. María José Escobar, Director of Outreach at USM; Guillermo Carey, President of ForoInnovación; Oscar Solar, General Manager of the Advanced Center for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (AC3E); and representatives from Valparaíso region’s innovation ecosystem, including academia, and the public and private sectors.
“With Valparaíso, we’re concluding our national tour for the Avonni Award, which took us to Punta Arenas, Puerto Varas, Valdivia, Concepción, Santiago, Coquimbo, Antofagasta, and Arica, inviting innovators to apply. This award not only highlights the work and dedication of those who strive to transform ideas into concrete and innovative solutions, but also fosters and strengthens a network and culture of innovation crucial for our society’s progress,” stated Guillermo Carey.
The event featured a presentation by Paulina Assmann, founder and CEO of Sequre Quantum, winner of the Avonni Digital Solutions and Services Entel 2024 award. She shared her experience, from her beginnings in academia to the creation of quantum technology that now allows her to lead a prominent company in Latin America. “This type of initiative contributes not only to motivating the development of innovations in Chile but also to retaining national talent and preventing these nascent companies from migrating to other countries. We have the challenge of turning all these technologies into the driving force for the country’s development,” she emphasized.
Following this, a panel discussion titled “Women and Health: Innovating the Future” took place, moderated by Dr. Pamela Guevara, Deputy Director of AC3E. The panel included Dr. Apolinaria García, a biochemist from the University of Concepción and winner of the Avonni Health and Avonni Innovative Woman Banco de Chile 2023 awards; Dr. Susan Bueno, principal investigator at IMII and Avonni Health CIF expert; and Francisca Rodríguez, Innovation and Health Manager at the Pharmaceutical Innovation Chamber.
“Recognizing innovators and entrepreneurs is important because innovation is a driving force for our country’s productive development, and the path they must follow to realize an idea and transform it into a marketable technology, product, or service is often long and difficult,” explained Dr. Pamela Guevara, Deputy Director of AC3E.
It’s worth noting that 40% of the winning or finalist projects for the Avonni Awards are led by women. This recognition also seeks to highlight their work and promote the importance of collaborative efforts for transformative innovations that generate local impact.
“Innovating in any field means confronting problems and challenges that hinder our progress. In the search for solutions with scientific evidence to solve local problems, the role of women is fundamental to having a diversity of capabilities and perspectives that allow ideas to be materialized and advance steadily,” said Dr. Susan Bueno.
Innovative Ideas: From Academia to Society
Aware that innovation with real and sustainable impact can be generated when science, technology, and collaboration converge, AC3E collaborated once again with the launch of the Avonni Awards in Valparaíso, actively participating in the organization and execution of the event.
