Open Innovation Showcase · Chihuahua Tech Week 2026

Corporations, startups, government, academia and international cooperation came together in Chihuahua to show that open innovation and climate technology are already reaching real industrial processes. On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, the Open Innovation Showcase took place at Casa Chihuahua Centro de Patrimonio Cultural. The anchor event of the Climate Summit, organized by Startup Chihuahua and GIZ through the CATAL1.5°T initiative, drew more than 100 attendees, with GCC Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua as this edition’s anchor corporation. The common thread was the Climate Innovation Engine (CIE), the mechanism that connects companies in the region with climate tech startups to solve real challenges on the plant floor. Welcome remarks and everyday innovation at GCC The evening opened with a reception featuring live music and welcome wine. Welcome remarks were given by Ing. Alberto Terrazas Seyffert, Vice President of Startup Chihuahua; José Jordán, Director of Economic Development and Competitiveness for the Municipality of Chihuahua; Guillermo Quintana, Director of Entrepreneurship and Business Development at the Ministry of Innovation and Economic Development of the Government of the State of Chihuahua; and Erika Sanchez, Coordinator of the CATAL1.5°T initiative at GIZ Mexico. In its presentation, GCC showed how innovation is part of its daily operations. The company closed with the pilot it is developing with Alcemy within the CIE: sensors on trucks at its Homero Plant, with support from GIZ. Panel: the most common questions about open innovation The panel addressed the most frequent questions about how open innovation works between corporations and startups. Panelists included Andrés Guzmán, CEO of Startup Chihuahua; Sofía Betancourt of GCC; and Alejandro Espejel of Alcemy. The session was moderated by María Fernanda Suárez of GIZ. Recognizing the companies that open their doors Startup Chihuahua and GIZ recognized the corporations that have opened their doors to open innovation. The featured anchor companies included Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua, Batesville, Innovak Global, BM Castings, Rancho Plan de Álamos and SISA de la Frontera. Batesville: from waste to opportunity Ing. Lorenzo Casas, Director of Batesville, delivered the closing remarks. Batesville, an anchor company recognized at the Showcase, has been in Chihuahua for more than 20 years and produces about 700 wooden caskets a day. Through the Climate Innovation Engine, the company opened one of its most complex operational challenges to climate tech startups: the valorization of sawdust, a special handling waste. In doing so, it turned a plant problem into an innovation opportunity with environmental benefits. Its case shows that collaboration between industry and entrepreneurs can deliver concrete circular economy solutions in Chihuahua. Startup Chihuahua thanked Batesville for its trust, its openness and its commitment to open innovation. A connection mechanism With the cases presented, the Showcase established the Climate Innovation Engine as a bridge between industry and climate startups, and opened a space for exchange with the Canadian delegation.