Uruguay XXI highlighted Uruguay's export potential and innovation at Campus Party

Within the framework of Campus Party Uruguay, the executive director of Uruguay XXI, Sebastián Risso, participated in a panel entitled “How to promote innovation from the State”, together with leading figures such as the manager of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at ANII, Ximena Camaño; the public accountant, Alejandro Lemos; the executive director of Uruguay Innovation Hub, Sabrina Sauksteliskis and the president of the Parque de la Innovación de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Luis María Bullrich.

During his speech, Risso underlined the vast potential that Uruguayan companies have in the field of exports, especially those that bet on innovation. “Companies and entrepreneurs have an infinite market outside. Companies that innovate are more efficient and end up being more profitable,” he said.

The executive director also highlighted the work that Uruguay XXI carries out with small and medium-sized companies, which make up the majority of the country's export core. “In Uruguay XXI we work a lot with SMEs. If we analyze the export core, more than 80% are SMEs, but they represent only 6% of the exported value. We have fertile ground for growth”, Risso explained and pointed out the importance of preparing these companies to be able to compete at international level.

He also detailed the various initiatives that Uruguay XXI carries out to support companies in their internationalization process. “At Uruguay XXI we prepare companies before exporting. We participate in fairs and conferences, in innovation events and we have an exporter's test to assess the company's state of readiness to go abroad,” he said.

In addition, he mentioned Uruguay XXI's efforts to attract foreign investment and link local ventures with international investors. “We have a portfolio of investment projects to link ventures with foreign investors and we help a lot with the talent issue. We have tools to support training and we work with the issue of digital nomads,” he explained.

Referring to the world's perception of Uruguay, Risso said: “When we present ourselves as Uruguay abroad, they open their doors and see us well. What we always validate is that people with an enterprise or business can do it from Uruguay. Do not be afraid, everything can be done from here”.

Campus Party, with more than 80 editions in 15 countries and more than three million participants, has established itself as a global platform for innovation and creativity that brings together companies, educational institutions and individuals in a global community. This year, the event in Uruguay had more than 70 speakers, workshops, robotics exhibitions and more than 50 workshops, consolidating itself as a key space for the exchange of ideas and the promotion of innovation.