Local Collaboration: The Engine of Chihuahua's Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

Local Collaboration: The Engine of Chihuahua's Entrepreneurship Ecosystem The Study of Collaboration Dynamics in the Innovation-Based Entrepreneurship Economic Ecosystem of Chihuahua, developed using the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Initiative (GED) methodology—an international research initiative derived from MIT D-Lab that employs tools such as Social Network Analysis and Complex Systems Theory—reveals how cooperation among entrepreneurs, academic institutions, and the private sector has laid solid foundations for projects with social and environmental impact. With 220 actors identified and 839 collaborations mapped, these dynamics have been fundamental in paving the way for startups that today tackle challenges such as water efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and energy transition. An Ecosystem That Transcends the Quadruple Helix The study applies the TE-SER Model, which overcomes the limitations of the traditional "quadruple helix" classification (academia, government, private sector, and civil society) to focus on the functional roles each actor plays. This perspective identifies six types of contribution to the ecosystem: articulators who generate public policies, enablers who provide resources and training, connectors who link sectors, knowledge generators from research centers, promoters who spread entrepreneurial culture, and communities that provide sustainability to the collaborative fabric. In Chihuahua, enablers represent 56.8% of actors, followed by connectors (17.3%) and communities (7.3%). This distribution suggests an ecosystem that has already surpassed its establishment stage and is in an active growth phase. Collaborations That Work One of the most revealing findings is the effectiveness of collaborations: 92.7% of mapped interactions were successful. Actors require an average of only 3.57 interactions to consolidate an effective collaboration, reflecting efficient use of resources and a culture of trust among participants. What motivates these alliances? Joint project development leads intentions at 31.2%, followed by knowledge exchange and best practices (27.9%) and obtaining financial resources (16.3%). This balance between tangible objectives and collective learning characterizes a mature ecosystem that prioritizes impact over individual benefit. An interesting fact: 53.8% of collaborations are carried out without a formal agreement, and paradoxically these show a 98.7% success rate, higher than the 87.5% of formalized ones. This speaks to relationships based on trust and flexibility that complement structured agreements. The Nodes That Sustain the Network The analysis identified seven Gravitational Centers that act as redistributors of resources and knowledge: SIDE, Startup Chihuahua, Living Lab, Red Emprende, DESEC, Emprendemos, and INADET. These nodes not only concentrate connections but multiply them, promoting ecosystem resilience against political or economic changes. Organizations such as Tecnológico de Monterrey, CIMAV, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, and Parque Tecnológico Orión provide the base of scientific and technological knowledge, while business chambers like CANACINTRA, COPARMEX, and various industrial clusters connect key sectors and strengthen synergies. https://kumu.io/gedi/chihuahua A Shared Purpose Perhaps the most significant result of the study is the articulation of a common vision among participants: "To transform lives through entrepreneurships based on scientific and technological innovation, driven by collaboration of local and international talent that leverages the unique strengths of our environment." This purpose, collectively built during the research workshops, reflects Chihuahua's potential to position itself as a model entrepreneurship ecosystem not only for northern Mexico but for all of Latin America. Moving Forward The study identifies clear opportunities: strengthening connections between education and industry through hackathons and R&D+i projects, including peripheral actors especially from STEM areas and the creative economy, attracting more venture capital, and expanding international alliances. Chihuahua demonstrates that collaboration is not an abstract concept but a measurable practice that generates concrete results. In a context where environmental and social challenges demand innovative responses, ecosystems like this one represent the human infrastructure necessary to turn ideas into solutions. 📄 Download the full document here An Invitation to the Community At StartUp Chihuahua, we believe the key lies in strengthening alliances and collaboration between local and international actors. Chihuahua has what it takes to become a benchmark for climate innovation. Are you part of this ecosystem? We want to hear from you and work together to take these opportunities to the next level.