1

FINAL REPORT

With the support of RIAC’s Chair Pro Tempore: #ACXchange 2

THE 8TH AMERICAS COMPETITIVENESS EXCHANGE ON INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (ACE)

A six-day high-level tour for global senior leadership through the communities of Orlando, Melbourne, Cape Canaveral, Palm Coast, St. Augustine, Gainesville, and Tallahassee in North-Central , , December 3 to 9, 2017

#ACXchange 3

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. ABOUT THE EXCHANGE 4

2. IN REVIEW: THE 8TH ACE ON INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP 7

3. PARTICIPANTS 21

4. RESULTS 26

5. TESTIMONIES 29

6. PRESS RELEASES 32

7. PRESENTATIONS 37

8. PHOTOS AND VIDEOS 39

9. POINTS OF CONTACT 40

#ACXchange 4

ABOUT THE EXCHANGE

The Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) is a innovation, strategic investments and public- regional initiative of the Organization of American private partnerships from a specific region/country States (OAS) and the Inter-American that contribute to the economic development at Competitiveness Network (RIAC). Ministers and the local, national and regional levels. The event High-Level Authorities of the countries of the brings 50 decision makers from across the Americas Americas approved ACE as one of the main and beyond for a five to six-day tour of innovative activities of the 2016- 2018 RIAC’s Work Plan. hubs, leading firms, and educational and research The ACE was originally created in 2014 by the U.S. institutions, to explore local and regional economic Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of development models, share experiences and State and the Organization of American States knowledge, and build networks among the local (OAS) as RIAC Technical Secretariat. and visiting stakeholders to enhance innovation The objective of the Exchange is to showcase and competitiveness of the Americas. successful examples of entrepreneurship,

“THE ACE IS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE, TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, TO ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIPS AND IT ALL GET TO BUILDING THE INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR HEMISPHERE.” Kim Osborne Executive Secretary for Integral Development Organization of American States

#ACXchange 5

Some examples of the mutually beneficial and training organization, and Mexico’s National partnerships developed, include: the collaboration Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT). between stakeholders in Conover, North Carolina Such has been the success of ACE that it was and the State of Hidalgo, Mexico, supporting recognized as part of the 2016 North American entrepreneurs in the textile industries of both Competitiveness Work Plan, agreed to by countries; research centers and co-ops such as President of the United States Barack Obama and Organic Valley in Wisconsin and Escuela Superior the President of Mexico Peña Nieto and Canadian Integral Lecheria (ESIL) of Villa María in Cordoba, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in June 2016 at the Argentina, working on business and export North American Leaders Summit (NALS) held in development in the dairy industry; inspiring the Ottawa, Canada’s capital. enhancement of the New Belize Enterprise and http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2016/06/29/economic Innovation Institute to include incubation -prosperity-trade-and-competitiveness programs; facilitating the cross-landing process of young entrepreneurs from UNITEC Honduras to Also, due to the ACE success, the Government of interact and collaborate with the Argentina adopted the ACE model internally to entrepreneurship ecosystems led by UC San Diego; share best practices within its country regions and sectors. inspiring UNITEC University, Honduras through the exposure to innovative projects in America with http://prensa.cba.gov.ar/economia/la- ACE to write a proposal for BCIE and obtain a innovacion-en-tecnologia-medica-se-reune-en- donation of USD $56 thousand approved to cordoba/ strengthen their ecosystem and convert their

Entrepreneurship Hub into an Incubator; giving momentum to the launch of a bilateral industrial

internship program between Canada and Mexico through Mitacs, a Canadian not-for-profit research #ACXchange 6

HOST REGIONS/COUNTRIES INCLUDE:

ACE I:

Georgia, North and South Carolina, ACE V: USA, April 2014 Arizona and California, USA, April 2016

ACE II:

Mexico City, Aguascalientes and ACE VI: Guadalajara, Mexico, August 2014 Province of Ontario, Canada, September 2016

ACE III:

Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, ACE VII: USA, April 2015 Central , USA, April 2017

ACE IV: ACE VIII:

Province of Cordoba, Argentina, North-Central Florida, USA, October 2015 December 2017

#ACXchange 7

THE 8TH ACE

The 8th Americas Competitiveness Exchange on Innovation and Entrepreneurship gathered 42 key leaders and decision makers from the public, private, and academic sectors from 19 countries of the Americas and beyond.

The program provided a unique opportunity to restoration and preservation, research, experience first-hand advanced technology entrepreneurship and commercialization. centers, innovation hubs, public-private partnerships, and strategic investments in the CONVENING INSTITUTIONS North-Central Florida region, United States. The 8th ACE was convened by the Organization of Featured sites on the tour targeted the following American States and the Inter-American clusters: advanced manufacturing, simulation Competitiveness Network (RIAC); the Government technology, magnetics technologies, life sciences of the United States, through its U.S. Department and biotechnology, aerospace, aviation, national of Commerce (the International Trade security, agriculture and sustainability, tourism and Administration (ITA) and the Economic hospitality, logistics, disaster preparedness, Development Administration (EDA)); the U.S. #ACXchange 8

Department of State-Permanent Mission to the OAS; and the Government of Argentina, as Chair Pro Tempore of RIAC 2017 – 2019.

REVIEW OF THE 8th ACE TOUR

The six-day high-level tour through the regions of Orlando, Space Coast, Flagler County, St. Augustine, Gainesville, and Tallahassee in North-Central Florida, United States allowed participants to get a deep sight of Florida’s economic ecosystem, along with the opportunity to establish global commercial relationships and FDI partnerships among hosts and participants and share and promote best practices in economic development to strengthen local innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

December 2, 2017 ORLANDO

WELCOME TO ORLANDO

The Program started on Saturday 2, 2017 with an optional activity in Disney Springs at Walt VIDEO OF THE DAY Disney World Resort. Participants walked around and enjoyed a nice dinner with their colleagues; while getting a first approach to the ACE dynamic, being introduced to organizers and get to know participants, their reasons for attending and visualize future connections and alliances.

#ACXchange 9

December 3, 2017 ORLANDO DAY ONE VIDEO OF THE DAY The ACE 8 begins! The program started on December 3, 2017 in history and expectations of ACE and the US Orlando, Florida with the Check-in of participants Innovation System. at 1 pm. The opening of the Americas Later, Jerry Ross, CEO of the National Competitiveness Exchange was carried out at the Entrepreneur Center and Elizabeth Krekel, JW Marriott Grande Lakes Hotel by Dr. Maryse Program Manager at the Central Florida Robert (ACE Original Partner and Member of the International Trade Office gave an Entrepreneurial ACE Committee), Director for Economic Welcome to participants and lead the group in a Development, Organization of American States fun activity to introduce them to their new who stressed the importance of the ACE program economic development friends from different and in the context of the Inter-American countries of the Americas. Competitiveness Network (RIAC), Guillermo The day continued with an overview of Acosta, Under Secretary for Federal and Sectorial Innovation and Simulation Technology of Walt Articulation, Ministry of the Production of Disney World Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom with Argentina in representation of the RIAC’s Pro Dennis Lind, Vice President, Design & Engineering, Tempore Presidency and Dr. Barrett Haga (ACE Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and Michael Tschanz, Co-Founder and Member of the ACE Committee), Director, Systems Technology Strategy and Senior Administrator at the U.S. Department of Processes, Walt Disney World as speakers. Later, Commerce who, in his speech, talked about the participants could enjoy a behind the scenes tour of the Magic Kingdom and the Seven Dwarfs Mine #ACXchange 10

Train full of Innovation, Engineering, Animation, and Artistry!

VIDEO OF THE DAY

December 4, 2017 ORLANDO DAY TWO Participants arrived at the University of Central Florida where they were received by the UCF Cheerleaders and their mascot . The official Welcome to the program was in charge of Kim Hurtault-Osborne, Executive Secretary for Integral Development, Organization of American VIDEO OF THE DAY States who emphasized the importance of expressed her contentment for the high promoting the participation of women in activities percentage of women participating in this edition related to innovation, science and technology and #ACXchange 11

of the ACE. John Andersen, Deputy Assistant located in Medical City. The TedTalks were in Secretary, International Trade Administration gave charge of Leslie Hielema, Head of his welcoming speech describing the opportunity Transformational Innovation at Guidewell the program offers and the strong ties between Innovation, Dr. Haru Okuda, National Medical United States and all the countries of the Director for Veterans Health Administration and Americas. Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Mayor of Orange Barry Brockway, Director of Operations, County and , President of the University GuideWell Innovation. Later, participants toured of Central Florida also gave a speech. After the the Medical city facility where they were able to opening, participants toured the UCF Labs were get a deep insight of the history and work of the specialists gave four presentations on different ecosystem, before departing to BRIDG. “Themes”: Limbitless, Entrepreneurship, Smart Once at BRIDG, the only advanced materials Cities, and Energy. manufacturing development center focused on Thereafter, participants travelled to the highly the integration of semiconductor-based processes secured and classified government contractor and materials into future products like smart facility, Lockheed Martin where they had VIP sensor and photonics devices, the ACE 8 key Access Tour of the Lockheed Martin Global & leaders and decision makers assisted to a panel Training Logistics facility including a tour of discussion and tour, with demonstrations of Innovation Demonstration Center, a demo, a Photon X. Ed Schons from the Florida High Tech Prepar3D overview, and a presentation on Corridor served as moderator and Chester Simulation by David Scott, VP Business Kennedy, CEO of BRIDG, Don Fisher, Osceola Development at LM and Lt. General Tom Baptiste, County Manager, Blair Barbour, CEO of Photon X President & CEO of the National Center for and Dr. Elizabeth A. Klonoff, Vice President for Simulation (NCS). Research and Dean of the College of Graduate This activity was followed by a tour and Studies at the University of Central Florida served presentation at Guidewell Innovation Center, #ACXchange 12

as speakers at the panel. At the end of the day,

participants traveled to the next stop: Melbourne!

#ACXchange 13

December 5, 2017 SPACE COAST DAY THREE

The first activity of the day was a bus tour of the Florida Institute of Technology’s FIT Aviation Flight Training & Research Center and drive through the FIT CAMPUS. ACE Florida participants learned about how FIT advances in creating new international partners with the opportunity to VIDEO OF THE DAY educate students in the latest high demand STEM Dr. Michael Grieves, Executive Director at CAMID disciplines worldwide. At FIT, they were welcomed and Mr. Rob Salonen, Director of Global Business by the Economic Development Council with Development, FIT. Participants experienced a visit presentations by Elected Officials at Florida Tech to Larsen Motorsports with Mr. Chris Larsen and and received a tour of Center for Advanced Mrs. Elaine Larsen, founders of the program, Manufacturing and Innovative Design (CAMID). explaining how LMS and its partners through Presentations were in charge of Captain Winston concept, design, engineering, fabrication, and E. Scott, Immediate Past Chair at the Economic highly customized finish work are creating the next Development Commission of Florida’s Space generation of high performance vehicles. Coast, and Senior Vice President for External After FIT, the group proceeded to Port Relations and Economic Development at FIT, Canaveral for lunch and welcome by Tom Mayor William Capote, City of Palm Bay, Dr. S. Ann Weinberg, Chairman of Canaveral Port Authority Becker, Senior Vice President for Research at FIT, and presentation and ‘virtual’ tour of the Port by #ACXchange 14

CEO, Captain John W. Murray. Participants were a briefing by Mr. Tom Engler, Director of the later driven to the Exploration Tower at Cape Center Planning and Development Directorate, Canaveral and had free time to explore the Tower, KSC and an up-close look at Space Shuttle Atlantis. the Port, visit gift shops, take photos from the roof, Participants headed over to to the next stop: and enjoy the scenery. Palm Coast! The last activity was a VIP Bus Tour of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Campus and Complex with

#ACXchange 15

PALM COAST December 6, 2017 ST. AUGUSTINE DAY FOUR GAINESVILLE

On Wednesday, December 6, participants Economic Development and Donald O’Brien, VIDEO OF THE DAY enjoyed an early morning tour of SeaRay Boats County Commissioner. The Superintendent of with its General Manager, Tim Singly before Flagler Schools, James Tager made the departing to the Flagler Palm Coast High School introduction to the program. Participants where they were received by Helga van Eckert, Economic Development Director of Flagler #ACXchange 16

experienced brunch served by students with VIDEO OF THE DAY Student Ambassadors and Business representatives at tables while seeking for possible opportunities to establish international networks for businesses and students to foster collaboration and develop new partnerships to share best practices. The brunch was followed by Once in Gainesville, participants visited the three Interactive Student Experiences, namely, a University of Florida New Engineering Building Flagship Showcase Booths, Fire academy & where they were received by Dr. W. Kent Fuchs, aerospace lab and the i3 Flagship presentation President of the University of Florida, Erik Sander, with the closing remarks of the County Exec Dir. of Florida Engineering Experiment Station Commissioner and Lynette Shott, Executive and Matthew Hodge, Senior AVP, Director of Flagler Schools. Development/Interim Executive Director at UF Later, participants departed to St. Augustine Alumni Association. Thereafter, the group headed accompanied on the bus by John Regan, St. to Cade Museum for Creativity and Innovation Augustine City Manager. The first place visited was experiencing a Farm-to-table dinner and Welcome the Castillo de San Marcos where the group had a Reception. Welcome remarks and speeches were pleasant, informative visit showcasing the most in charge of Rory P. Causseaux, 2017 Chair of famous tourist attraction and treasured structure Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Mayor of the city and the inventive way their private Lauren Poe, Mayor of the City of Gainesville, Lee industry works to conserve its historic past and Pinkoson, Chair at Alachua County Commission provide successful commercial ventures. The next and Phoebe Miles, Board President and CEO of stop, before travelling to Gainesville, was the St. Cade Museum. Augustine Distillery.

#ACXchange 17

GAINESVILLE December 7, 2017 TALLAHASSEE DAY FIVE During the fifth day of the tour, participants networks for students, faculty, and partners to visited the Santa Fe College at Gainesville where create a new network of innovation. The welcome they learned about opportunities to establish remarks and presentations were given by the connections with the college, willing to expand President of the College, Dr. Jackson Sasser, #ACXchange 18

Dennis Alvord, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Sohar, Asst. Director UF Innovation Hub and Co- Commerce at EDA, Dug Jones, Associate Vice Founder, Empowering Women in Technology President of Economic Development at the Center Start-ups (EWITS), Kristin Haffert, founder of Mine for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED) the Gap and Antonietta Restuccia, Doctoral and John McNeely, Associate Vice President of Student Department of Biomedical Engineering at Career and Technical Programs. the University of Florida as speakers.

The next activity was a visit and a narrated bus VIDEO OF THE DAY tour of Progress Park and remarks at Sid Martin Biotech Incubator before having lunch at Santa Fe College Perry Center for Emerging Technologies. There, a panel discussion and video presentation took place with Eileen Monck, Academic Director of The Perry Center for Emerging Technologies, The group later departed to Innovation Square, Gary Ascani, Director of Corporate Relations Ology a facility that provides with unmatched access to Bioservices (formerly Nanotherapeutics) and Dr. research infrastructure and technology at the Jackson Streeter. The Perry Center showcases University of Florida, as well as the intellectual local talent growth and engages students of capital of the academic researchers. The welcome various ages with emerging technology and remarks and the tour through the Innovation Hub markets. This positions Greater Gainesville to be and Infinity HallDug Jones was in charge of Mark well equipped with experienced talent as the Long, Director of Incubation Services and Jim world continues to globalize its technology. The O’Connell, Asst. VP of Technology Perry Center showcased participants its Commercialization & Director of Technology technological capacity while promoting their own Transfer. A panel on “The Role of Women in research and development to diverse international Entrepreneurship” took place there with Kathleen #ACXchange 19

markets. Closing remarks were in charge of Susan Long, Reese Good, City of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Davenport, President and CEO Gainesville Area Commissioner Curtis Richardson and Don Farr Chamber of Commerce. from Florida State University. As an optional activity, the group was invited for an evening The group headed over to Tallahassee and placemaking tour of Gaines Street Corridor as well enjoyed a Reception, a networking event and as College Town and the opportunity to sample conversation honoured by the presence of Leon items from local entrepreneurs. County Commissioner, Kristin Dozier, Vincent S.

#ACXchange 20

December 8, 2017 TALLAHASSEE

DAY SIX The last day of the tour started with the Vice Chair, Dominick Ard’is, The ACT House, Jodi welcome remarks of Cristina Paredes, Deputy Chase, FullScaleNANO, Eduardo Gonzalez Loumiet, Director at Leon County Office of Economic Vitality at Founder of UberOps and Keith Bowers, Florida A&M the hotel, followed by a Panel discussion on risk University Florida Small Business Development Center management and entrepreneurship with Susan Fiorito, serving as speakers.

Director of Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship as The next activity took place at the National High moderator and Mark Powell, PhD, RMS/H-Wind, Ed Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab) with a brief Mansouri from WeatherSTEM, Ryan Truchelot, PhD, introduction to Innovation Park and followed by a TED Weather Tiger and David Zierden, State Climatologist, Talk: SciGirls Summer Camp and SciGirls Coding Camp COAPS as participants. with highly qualified MagLab officials in charge of the

The group later departed to Florida A&M University. presentation. A panel discussion on public/private Mayor Andrew Gillium of the City of Tallahassee gave partnerships, university commercialization and global a Welcome-to-Tallahassee speech along with Larry reach was carried out with panellists including Jeff Robinson, President of Florida A&M University who Whalen from FullScaleNANO, Lawrence Tinker from introduced the university and Tim Moore, Vice the Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public President of Research at Florida A&M University who Research, Al Latimer from Leon County Office of stressed the university’s role on innovation. This was Economic Vitality and David Teek from the Office of followed by a panel discussion on “Minorities and Technology Transfer and Export Control at Florida A&M Entrepreneurship” moderated by Heidi Otway, University. After a tour through the facility, the group SalterMitchell and with Kimberly Moore, Tallahassee was taken to meet Danfoss, a worldwide leading Community College Vice President for Workforce manufacturer of oil-less compressors for commercial Development and Economic Vitality Leadership Council #ACXchange 21

HVACs, using magnetic bearing technology developed Buerstatte, Acting Director and Senior Advisor to the at the MagLab. Secretary for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Economic Development Administration, U.S. Participants travelled to Florida Center for Department of Commerce. Given Israel and Germany will host the next edition of the ACE, the first one outside the Americas, officials from those countries attended the ceremony: Stefan Schnorr, Director General of Digital and Innovation Policy, Ole Johann Janssen, Director of Innovation and Technology Policy VIDEO OF THE DAY and Nikolai Ziegler, Policy Officer at the Ministry of Advanced Aero-Propulsion where they had VIP Access Economic Affairs and Energy, Germany, Les Abelson, to the Polysonic Wind Tunnel and Center for Intelligent North America Director Israel Innovation and the Israeli Systems, Control, and Robotics. The next activity was a Consul General, Lior Hayat. tour of the award-winning Cascades Park led by Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency staff and a discussion on public health and public infrastructure investments. During the tour, participants discussed how public dollars ignite private investment and public health (bikeability and walkability, recreation, toxin remediation via brownfield conversion, wastewater reduction and stormwater treatment, reduction of air contaminants through green space, etc.)

The day ended with a dinner and Closing Ceremony at Florida’s Historic Capitol. Remarks were in charge of As a closing event, participants were invited to an Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s evening cultural tour of Railroad Art Park and Secretary, Cissy Proctor and a Call to Action from Craig opportunity to sample items from local entrepreneurs. #ACXchange 22

PARTICIPANTS

COUNTRY PARTICIPANTS GUILLERMO ACOSTA Undersecretary of Federal and Sectorial Articulation, National Ministry of Production

ROMINA ELIANA GAYÁ Director of Monitoring of Technological and Productive Services, Ministry of Argentina Production

TOMÁS ROLDÁN Regional Executive, National Institute of Industrial Technology

DONATELTA ORSI Main Coordinator of the Cities for Entrepreneurs Program Ministry of Production

Barbados SHAWN MARTIN TUDOR Chief Executive Officer Barbados, Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation

LEJIA MELANIE GIDEON Belize General Manager of the Enterprise and Innovation Division Belize Trade & Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) SHAHERA DIANE MCKOY Manager of the Business Facilitation Unit, Belize Trade and Investment Development Service JUAN CAMILO QUINTERO Colombia Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship National Association of Industry - ANDI LILIANA PINILLA Manager Office of Transfer of Results of Strategic Research

#ACXchange 23

COUNTRY PARTICIPANTS Chamber of Commerce of Bucaramanga

FERNANDO SIERRA General Partner of Invictum Capital President Kairos of Society Latin America

ANA MARÍA MUÑOZ Founder and Director, 1/4Tech Lab

ALEJANDRO LÓPEZ President Medellin Startup City Ecuador SORAYA ALEJANDRA BORJA Project Specialist for Strategic Projects of the Productive and Tax Advisory Council

Ministry of Industry and Competitiveness El Salvador LISSETTE CRISTALINA CANALES Business Faculty Dean, Technological University of El Salvador

JUAN CARLOS PAIZ Member of the Board of the Private Competitiveness Council President of Panifresh Corporation Guatemala LUCÍA MARÍA DEL ROSARIO BARREDA Director General of the Small Business Development Center (PROMIPYME) and the Institution of Tourism Development (PRODETUR)

LORENA QUIÑONES International Project Relations Specialist Chamber of Industry of Guatemala FABIOLA ANTOINE Technical Assistant for Innovation and Incubator Project, Ministry of Economy Haiti and Finance ROCK ANDRÉ Chief Executive Officer and Director Center for Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Haiti

#ACXchange 24

COUNTRY PARTICIPANTS MARLON BREVÉ Honduras President UNITEC University in Honduras MARÍA TERESA MORAZÁN Co-founder and Director, Impact Hub Tegucigalpa Jamaica DELAINE PATRICIA MORGAN Manager of the Business Information Services Department Jamaica’s National Investment and Export Promotion Agency (JAMPRO)

JOSÉ ALONSO HUERTA CRUZ Chief Executive Officer Council of Science, Technology and Innovation in Hidalgo State (CITNOVA)

GUADALUPE ITZEL VILLA Director General of Entrepreneurship and Financing Programs National Entrepreneurship Institute (INADEM) Secretariat of Economy Mexico LILIANA ARACELI REYES Venture Capital Director

National Entrepreneurship Institute (INADEM) Secretariat of Economy

EUGENIO JOSÉ REYES GUZMÁN Executive Director World Trade Center Monterrey Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon

PAOLA FERRARIO Paraguay Vice President of the Global Entrepreneurship Network in Paraguay MARÍA LIZ PALACIOS Technical Cabinet Director

Viceministry of Education

JORGE ALFREDO HUARACHI Peru Principal Professor and Director of Innovation Catholic University of Saint Toribean of Mogrovejo

#ACXchange 25

COUNTRY PARTICIPANTS

St. Lucia JACQUELINE CAROLINE EMMANUEL FLOOD Chief Executive Officer Trade Export Promotion Agency (TEPA)

Trinidad and INDERA SAGEWAN-ALLI Tobago Executive Director Caribbean Competitiveness Forum

L. KEVIN JOHNS Director of Economic Development of the City of Austin, Texas

GABRIEL D. YOUTSEY Chief Innovation Officer University of California United States ERIKA MARÍA MEDINA Chief Business Development Officer Department of Economic Development and Commerce Puerto Rico

SEBASTIÁN VIDAL Executive Director of Parallel18 Puerto Rico SARA BEATRIZ GOLDBERG Uruguay Manager of Operations National Agency for Research and Innovation – ANII MARIA MAGDALENA GIURIA

Director Center of Innovation Catholic University of Uruguay

#ACXchange 26

COUNTRY PARTICIPANTS OLE JOHANN JANSSEN Deputy Director General Innovation and Technology Policy Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy Germany NIKOLAI ZIEGLER Policy Officer, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

STEFAN SCHNORR (Special Guest) Director General, Digital and Innovation Policy Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy Israel ALAN URIEL HOFMAN Director Latin America Desk Israel Innovation Authority LIOR HAYAT Israeli Consul General Latin FERNANDO LÓPEZ American President Industrial Latin American Industrial Association (LAIA) Association (LAIA) LISA MICHELLE HARDING Caribbean Coordinator, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Development Technical Cooperation Division Bank Caribbean Development Bank Pan LANCE LEVERENZ American Senior Director of Business Development Development Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) Foundation (PADF)

#ACXchange 27

RESULTS

ACE by the numbers

225 applications received from 44 countries The Open Call for Applications was launched on August 18th, 2017 and shared with around a million of contacts in the Hemisphere and more than 200 applications were received from 44 countries of the Americas and beyond.

42 participants from 19 countries

The ACE 8 had an outstanding geographic diversity with 42 leaders on innovation and entrepreneurship representing 19 countries from the Americas and beyond (17 from OAS Member States and 2 from outside the region)

+40 projects and good practices were shared in more than 26 sites More than 40 projects and good practices of advanced research and technology centers, companies, incubators and accelerators, public-private partnerships and strategic investment were shared to participants through more than 26 sites.

57% female 43% male

24 women leaders participated in the program The ACE 8 program achieved the best gender balance in comparison to previous editions. During the ACE in Florida, more than half of the group were women leaders (24 out of 42 participants). 3 entrepreneurs were selected and sponsored to participate in ACE For the second time in the program, some spaces were officially reserved for top entrepreneurs. Three entrepreneurs from Latin America were selected and were granted a scholarship to participate. They had the opportunity to learn, exchange and interact with high-level authorities, private sector and academia representatives.

#ACXchange 28

Results gathered by the ACE final survey

More than 650 new contacts were initiated These contacts were registered in the final survey and reflect the new direct interactions among the 46 participants from the international delegation of 19 countries and community leaders of Orlando, Melbourne, Space Coast, Flagler County, St. Augustine, Gainesville, and Tallahassee in the North-Central Florida region.

207 new collaboration opportunities were registered After analyzing the survey results, around 207 collaboration opportunities emerged as a result of the program among delegates, experts, and high-level authorities and officials from the participating communities.

100% of the participants surveyed said they would participate again As a result of the survey, all participants expressed they would participate again in future editions of the program or recommend a colleague to apply.

95% of the participants reported that the program was successful in meeting their institution’s needs. In addition to that, most of the participants expressed the exchange was successful in different aspects such as understanding how Universities work and how large corporations are developing new technologies and collaborating with their communities, learning about incubation program and innovation and sharing experiences with other participants on best practices as well as make the contacts for future collaborations.

More than 62% of ACE 8 participants increased their knowledge in innovation and entrepreneurship concepts. As part of a new follow-up mechanism that was established in the project, a pre-test and post-test were developed in Florida to analyze the increase of knowledge of participating leaders in different topics of the program. As a result of the comparison of the pre- and post-survey answers, at least 62% of participants increased their knowledge on key concepts on innovation and entrepreneurship in ACE 8: 62% of ACE 8 participants increased their knowledge on key models on innovation and entrepreneurship that play a main role in the U.S. system of economic development.

#ACXchange 29

69% of ACE 8 participants increased their knowledge on the best practices for universities to engage in when working with the public and private sector/industry. 69% of ACE 8 participants increased their knowledge on the best practices on how universities can better support present and future workforce development. 86% of ACE 8 participants increased their knowledge on the most disruptive technologies and innovation/entrepreneurship trends shaping business development in Florida that may be useful to apply in their own country/communities.

Participants increased their contact network residing in a country different than their own by +20% Prior to the program, participants had an average of 36 percent of contacts residing in a country different than their own. After the program, that number increased to 43 percent.

#ACXchange 30

TESTIMONIES

Kim Osborne, Executive Secretary for Integral Development, Organization of American States

“The ACE is an amazing opportunity to connect people, to build relationships, to establish partnerships and it all get to building the inclusive development of our hemisphere.”

“One of the important components of the ACE is to maintain a gender balance and we are very pleased that this time on the ACE the number of women who are participating exceed the number of men who are participating. And we are happy to see that we have made great efforts to ensure that we have strong participation of omen particular since we are going to be focused on innovation, science and technology. It is very good to see such active participation from women. As a woman, I advocate for strong leadership among and between women, so it is good to see that we have that many women represented in the ACE.”

Dennis Alvord, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs, EDA

“It is a great opportunity for countries from across the southern hemisphere to come to the U.S and see some of the best practices in U.S economic development and for U.S practitioners to learn from some of the best practices from those countries. In particular, we hope that this would lead to a number of great economic development outcomes, the networks that are stablished, the relationships that are build would have good economic impacts. Ideally, this could lead to additional investment from these counties in the United States and business relationships, etc.”

Guillermo Acosta, Undersecretary of Federal and Sectorial Articulation, National Ministry of Production

“I am pleased to be in another activity of the Inter-American Competitiveness Network. This is important for us and for our Pro Tempore Chairmanship in RIAC because these kind of activities, like the Americas Competitiveness Exchanges on Innovation and Entrepreneurship are part of our work plan for the period 2017 to 2019.”

“We are having a great time in Florida- I am surprised about all the things that we are learning here. Now we have a duty to take all this to apply in our countries. “

Jon Andersen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere, U.S Department of Commerce International Trade Administration

“I think ACE is recognition that we can learn from each other and this week in North- Central Florida is design so that people get to see a glimpse of the future, and by that they get to understand and appreciate what the possibilities are. They can take that information back to their own countries and use that to help

#ACXchange 31

drive their own competitiveness because if they do well, the U.S will do well. We would be able to sell more, to invest more. “

Jon Austin, Alternate Representative to the OAS, U.S. Department of State

“It is not just a tour of sites. It is a chance to interact with communities and with organizations that face similar challenges that participants face at home.”

“We expect participants accepted into the program to come with a plan and to realize results through the exchanges and the friendships that they stablish. It is about knowing people, it is about exchanging ideas and applying those ideas when they return back home with more friends and more partners that they would have had, had they not participated.”

Sebastian Vidal, Executive director of Parallel18, Puerto Rico

“Here we have had the chance to understand more about big companies that are very committed with the innovation and entrepreneurship and small businesses and I think when you look at the schedule of the ACE program is all about that-It’s all about collaboration, new industries and universities.”

Sara Goldberg – Uruguay

“I want to say thanks to all for these incredible days together. Especially to all the organizers. It will be an unforgettable experience!” Whataspp Group

Magdalena Giuria

“Truly an amazing experience!! And now comes the most challenging but awesome part that is taking action in our countries. Thank you for everything!! Organizers, local hosts and delegates have made this week just great!! You’re all welcome in Uruguay and please reach out to further our exchanges.” Whataspp Group

Liliana Reyes - Mexico

“It was a real pleasure to participate in this amazing ACE and meet former colleagues and friends as well and new ones. After finishing this busy week, I am full of energy and motivation to share these new initiatives, programs and experiences with other actors in my country. ACE is the best program I know that really understand what economic development is about: collaboration, partnerships trust, Innovation and local vision. Thank you all for make this happen!!” Whataspp Group

#ACXchange 32

Shahera McKoy

“I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I'm returning home with enthusiasm and motivation to share and be a part of initiatives to foster economic Development not only through Beltraide and my professional life but also through support to my community. ACE has enlightened me and I have a renewed drive to be a part of my country's national development. Thanks to ACE Organizers and fellow participants.”

PRESS RELEASES AND IMPACT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Media: Tallahassee Democrat Title: Tallahassee showcases research, innovation for ACE tour Date: December 6, 2017 http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/money/2017/12/06/tallahassee-showcases-research- innovation-ace-tour/909587001/ Media: WCTV.tv Title: ACE tour shows off innovation, entrepreneurship in Leon County Date: December 8, 2017 http://www.wctv.tv/content/news/ACE-tour-shows-off-innovation-entrepreneurship-in-Leon- County--462899083.html Media: WTXL Title: FAMU host panel discussion on minorities and entrepreneurship Date: December 8, 2017 http://www.wtxl.com/news/famu-host-panel-discussion-on-minorities-and- entrepreneurship/article_47a99dee-dc67-11e7-a7ef-6f52d6f6d6ee.html Media: El Colombiano Title: INNOVANDO EN LA FLORIDA: EDUCACIÓN Date: December 12, 2017 #ACXchange 33

http://m.elcolombiano.com/opinion/columnistas/innovando-en-la-florida-educacion-1-CH7845712 Media: WCJB Title: North Central Florida's biotech industry gets major honor Date: November 28, 2017 http://www.wcjb.com/content/news/North-Central-Floridas-biotech-industry-gets-major-honor- 460421603.html Media: Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality Title: Tallahassee-Leon County is One of Several Florida Communities to Host 8th Americas Competitiveness Exchange http://oevforbusiness.org/ace8/ Media: Orange County Government Florida Title: North-Central Florida to Host Exclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship Event Date: April 14, 2017 https://newsroom.ocfl.net/media-advisories/press-releases/north-central-florida-host-exclusive- innovation-entrepreneurship-event/#.WPTG2GcpCM8 Media: Florida Trend Title: The Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) is coming to North-Central Florida Date: January 12, 2017 http://www.floridatrend.com/article/23488/the-americas-competitiveness-exchange-ace-is- coming-to-north-central-florida Media: U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States Title: Eighth Americas Competitiveness Exchange Date: December 6, 2017 https://usoas.usmission.gov/eighth-americas-competitiveness-exchange/ Media: Orange County Government Florida Title: Orange County Hosts Americas Competitiveness Exchange on Innovation and Entrepreneurship #ACXchange 34

Date: December 5, 2017 https://newsroom.ocfl.net/2017/12/orange-county-hosts-americas-competitiveness-exchange- innovation-entrepreneurship/ Media: Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality Title: Tallahassee-Leon County One of Several Florida Communities to Host 8th Americas Competitiveness Exchange Date: April 7, 2017 http://oevforbusiness.org/tallahassee-leon-county-one-of-several-florida-communities-to-host-8th- americas-competitiveness-exchange/ Media: International Trade Administration Title: U.S. COMMERCE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES EIGHTH AMERICAS COMPETITIVENESS EXCHANGE Date: November 27, 2017 https://www.trade.gov/press/press-releases/2017/commerce-announces-eigth-americas- competitiveness-exchange-112717.asp Media: The Gainesville Area Chamber Title: Gainesville/Alachua County Selected Among North Central Florida For 8th Annual America’s Competitiveness Exchange On Innovation And Entrepreneurship https://www.gainesvillechamber.com/gainesvillealachua-county-selected-among-north-central- florida-8th-annual-americas-competitiveness-exchange-innovation-entrepreneurship/ Media: TalGov Title: Tallahassee-Leon County to Host Americas Competitiveness Exchange Date: December 8, 2017 http://www.talgov.com/cotnews/News/TallahasseeLeon_County_to_Host_Americas_Competitiv_4 001.aspx Media: Mayor Teresa Jacobs YouTube account Title: OCFL Update | Americas Competitiveness Exchange

#ACXchange 35

Date: December 8, 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1UcKHVaEP4 Media: US Economic Development Administration Title: U.S. Commerce Department Announces Eighth Americas Competitiveness Exchange Date: November 27, 2017 https://eda.gov/news/press-releases/2017/11/27/ace.htm Media: McMaster Innovation Park YouTube account Title: America's Competitiveness Exchange - Hamilton Visit @ MIP Date: September 30, 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3bZ7SkoPQY Media: Orange County Government Florida Title: ACE 8 ( Americas Competitiveness on Exchange and Innovation ) 19 Photos https://newsroom.ocfl.net/media-gallery/photo-gallery/ace-8-americas-competitiveness-exchange- innovation/ Media: Edu Active Title: Apply Now! Open Call for Applications for the Americas Competitiveness Exchange in Florida, US Date: August 20, 2017 http://www.edu-active.com/camps/2017/aug/20/apply-now-open-call-applications-americas- competit.html Media: Press Release Point Title: Senior Officials from Across the Western Hemisphere and other Nations to Visit Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hubs throughout Central and Northern Florida Date: November 27, 2017 http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/us-commerce-department-announces-eighth-americas- competitiveness-exchange

#ACXchange 36

Media: Business Report Title: Gainesville/Alachua County selected among North Central Florida cities for 8th annual America’s Competitiveness Exchange on Innovation and Entrepreneurship Date: June 01, 2017 https://gainesvillebizreport.com/gainesvillealachua-county-selected-among-north-central-florida- cities-for-8th-annual-americas-competitiveness-exchange-on-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/ Media: Senacyt Concyt Guatemala Title: APPLY TO THE 8TH AMERICAS COMPETITIVENESS EXCHANGE and visitNASA! Final deadline to apply: October 1st, 2017 http://senacyt.concyt.gob.gt/portal/index.php/noticias/735-nasa Media: City of San Antonio Economic Development Facebook Account Title: Americas Competitiveness Exchange announcement Date: September 9, 2017 https://www.facebook.com/CoSAEDD/videos/1137003389703234/

#ACXchange 37

PRESENTATIONS

Building A Resilient and Secure Power Grid –A UCF Microgrid Demo

Wei Sun, Assistant Professor of ECE

Zhihua Qu, Professor & Chair of ECE

Bionics, Mobility, & Art Infused Engineering

Limbitless Solutions

University of Central Florida

Innovation Regional Collaboration Job Creation

E.D.A

#ACXchange 38

The importance of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Tom O’Neal - Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems Associate VP for Innovation and Commercialization

FUTUReCITyFostering Smart Urban Transformation and Ubiquitous Resiliencewith Connected Infrastructure and Technology

Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Aty, PE - Trustee Chair Professor and DeptChair Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering

MagLabSummer Science Camps

Panelists: Carlos Villa (Director of MagLabCamps) Roxanne Hughes, Ph.D. (Director of CIRL) Kim Kelling(WFSU) CharmaneCaldwell, Ph.D. (FAMU-FSU College of Engineering)

#ACXchange 39

PICTURES AND VIDEOS

The photos and videos of the 8TH ACE on Innovation and Entrepreneurship can be found on the Flickr and Youtube accounts detailed below:

>PICTURES

>VIDEOS

#ACXchange 40

ONLINE & SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION

WEBSITE: http://www.riacevents.org/ace/florida/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/riacnetorg FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/RIACnet/ FLICKR: https://www.flickr.com/photos/89835551@N02/sets/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/riacnetorg/videos

CONTACT INFORMATION

ADRIANA BONILLA LESLIE WILSON ACE Program Coordinator ACE Application Coordinator Technical Secretariat Mexico Desk Officer Inter-American Competitiveness Network International Trade Administration Organization of American States (OAS) U.S. Department of Commerce [email protected] [email protected]

#ACXchange