Introduction
The healthcare sector in Latin America is undergoing a transformative phase, driven by technology-based solutions addressing regional challenges. In this context, the Latam Health Champions 2025 initiative, a strategic collaboration between FIFARMA and INNOS of Universidad El Bosque, aims to catalyze and highlight the innovative potential of young talents.
Growth and Impact
Since its inception, the program has grown from 56 to over 170 applicants in previous editions, with expectations of surpassing 250 in its third edition. Carlos Felipe Escobar, Director of INNOS, emphasizes that the initiative continues to make a significant impact and is an industry bet for further contributing to regional ecosystem development.
Beyond a simple competition, Latam Health Champions 2025 offers visibility and networking opportunities to participants. This edition also introduces a strategic management formation cycle on intellectual property, crucial for safeguarding health sector innovation.
This cycle will take place across six Latin American countries, including Mexico, in collaboration with the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
Addressing Challenges in Latin American Startups
Escobar identifies several structural challenges hindering Latin American startup growth, such as:
- Lack of guidance and funding: Governments must clearly signal priority health areas for innovation and establish funding mechanisms to support projects during their initial stages.
- Regulatory stability: Fluctuating government policies create uncertainty. A stable regulatory framework is needed for long-term planning by entrepreneurs.
- Specialized support: Ecosystems should have a network of experts in bioethics, economics, and technology to guide innovators.
Escobar stresses that collaboration is key to innovation growth. “No single institution or government can do it alone; we all need each other,” he asserts, emphasizing the initiative’s goal to forge alliances and amplify regional talent.
The Role of Academia in Innovation
Escobar highlights that Latin American universities owe a “significant debt” for remaining isolated from productive ecosystems. Unlike institutions such as MIT or Harvard, deeply connected with hospitals, governments, and investment funds, many Latin American universities have yet to adopt this model.
He stresses that more academic institutions should assume leadership roles and join efforts to create and strengthen technological ecosystems. “Mexican institutions like UNAM and Tec de Monterrey are exemplary, demonstrating the possibility of linking research with industry and social development needs.”
Latam Health Champions 2025 serves as a catalyst for these alliances and an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to showcase their solutions’ global impact potential. The call for applications is now open and will close in the third week of February 2026. Interested parties can register on the initiative’s portal to access training and become part of the next generation of health leaders.
https://www.latamhealthchampions.com/
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Latam Health Champions 2025? An initiative by FIFARMA and INNOS of Universidad El Bosque to catalyze and highlight the innovative potential of young talents in Latin American healthcare.
- What are the program’s goals? To offer visibility, networking opportunities, and strategic management formation on intellectual property to support health sector innovation.
- What challenges does the program aim to address? Lack of guidance, funding, regulatory stability, and specialized support for Latin American startups.
- What role does academia play? Academic institutions are encouraged to lead efforts in creating and strengthening technological ecosystems, linking research with industry and social development needs.
