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START A BUSINESS
SUPPORT INSTITUTIONS
Uruguay has a support platform made up of public and private actors that promote entrepreneurial development, research, and innovation.
Below is a description of key players, grouped according to their role within the startup ecosystem:
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Main Public Support Institutions​
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 Agency responsible for the promotion of exports, investments and country image. Working to strengthen the export capacity and competitiveness of Uruguayan companies, promote the country as an attractive destination for productive investments and boost the Uruguay country brand in the world. |  The National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII) is the government agency that promotes research and innovation in the country’s production and social areas. It provides funding for research, national and international postgraduate scholarships, and programs to encourage a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the private and public sectors. |  The National Development Agency (ANDE) is an institution that promotes the country’s development through programs aimed at improving business and territorial competitiveness, with emphasis on the promotion of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. |
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 National Institute of Employment and Vocational Training. It offers technical training and education for workers and businesses, aiming to improve employability and productivity. |
Cameron MacPherson – Scientific Project Manager at Institut Roche
“I definitely see Uruguay as a future R&D hub. I believe it has many strengths in its favor. It’s a relatively small country, which—somewhat ironically—means it can likely achieve much more per capita than many others. Strategically, Uruguay is well positioned to take the lead and showcase significant value.”
Country of origin: France
— Name, Title
Open Labs
Open Innovation Labs are spaces that promote open innovation by providing access to technologies and resources for prototyping and proof-of-concept testing in controlled environments. These labs aim to foster collaboration among various stakeholders—such as companies, startups, researchers, and students—to develop innovative solutions to challenges faced by both the public and private sectors.
 Technology innovation center focused on mobility, energy, and smart cities, in collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders. |  Microsoft’s lab in Uruguay focuses on Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things. It supports startups and companies developing high-impact solutions. |  Antel’s innovation lab dedicated to testing tech solutions, developing prototypes, and co-creating with startups and businesses. |
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 The Box is an innovation company that co-creates technological solutions with businesses, entrepreneurs, and institutions. Its approach focuses on identifying challenges, designing strategies, and developing products or services that create value—combining creativity, technology, and agile methodologies. |
Research and Development (R&D) Institutes
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To attract collaborative projects with the international—particularly regional—industry, these institutes offer state-of-the-art technology platforms and highly skilled human resources to support and enable the successful development of new ventures.
 The Institut Pasteur of Montevideo is a non-profit foundation created by the Institut Pasteur of Paris and the Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay. It has highly qualified human resources and state-of-the-art equipment available to the entire scientific community and companies using technologies in biotechnology projects related to production sectors concerning human and animal health, among others. |  The Biological Research Institute Clemente Estable (IIBCE) is a non-profit public institution under the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC), which develops scientific research, trains researchers and technicians and contributes to the scientific development of the country in different fields of biological sciences. |  A national initiative for digital inclusion in education that also designs and develops digital learning platforms and solutions. |
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 The National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) is aimed at generating and adapting knowledge and technologies to contribute to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector. |  A specialized biotechnology center focused on applied research, particularly in the agro-industrial sector. |
More information available at: www.uruguayemprendedor.uy
