The Viraliza STEM Women Training program is part of CORFO’s “Viraliza” instrument, which offers support for entrepreneurship and innovation training programs throughout Chile.

The joint proposal from the Fundación Ciencia & Vida-USS, the Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (CeBiB) of the University of Chile, and Grupo Zenit, a startup and technology business accelerator, was selected in the latest call for applications for CORFO’s Viraliza STEM Women Training program.

The strategic collaboration between these three institutions seeks to reduce gender gaps in science and technology, promoting the active participation of women in high-impact entrepreneurship. The designed program includes practical sessions, interactive workshops, personalized mentoring, and networking spaces with investor networks and experts from the national and international ecosystem.

The awarded project strengthens the strategic role of these institutions as promoters of gender equity in STEM. CeBiB contributes its knowledge in advanced research, while the Fundación Ciencia & Vida-USS supports with its expertise in transferring practical innovation tools and business models to entrepreneurs.

For its part, Grupo Zenit provides its extensive experience in incubation, acceleration, and training in technological entrepreneurship, especially in initiatives with a gender focus. This group has led successful programs such as Woman Lab Academy, Transformadoras, and Yakana Apasionadas, all initiatives aimed at boosting female leadership and innovation in STEM careers.

The funding received will allow for the implementation of high-quality pedagogical modules, where participants will receive personalized mentoring, workshops on business model validation, and networking sessions with actors from the national and international innovation ecosystem. The proposal expects to train 40 female entrepreneurs within a period of 12 to 18 months.

A milestone for gender equity in STEM

The awarding of this fund represents a significant advance in public policy aimed at closing gender gaps in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. By combining the biotechnology expertise of CeBiB with the Foundation’s practical business approach, a replicable model is established that strengthens the national scientific-entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Constanza Sigala noted that “this award reaffirms our commitment to gender equity in STEM and highlights the value of public-private partnerships to boost female talent in high-impact areas.”

“This award allows us to carry out the ‘STEM Women for the Future’ program, where we seek to prepare women in STEM areas so they can develop all the competencies to transform their knowledge into applied solutions and also think about forming their own science-based technology companies. Furthermore, this program will help make female talent visible and increase confidence in believing in our capabilities,” explained Daniela Elgueta, innovation and entrepreneurship manager at Grupo Zenit.

As explained by María Isabel Guerra, Director of Technology Transfer at CeBiB, “boosting entrepreneurship training for women in STEM careers, especially those linked to the center, is key to opening new opportunities and breaking historical barriers. We know there is talent to spare, and we want more researchers to be able to transform their ideas into real solutions, leading innovative projects with scientific, technological, and social impact. Empowering them on this path not only strengthens the R&D&i ecosystem but also diversifies perspectives and enriches the future of biotechnology.”

This achievement sets a precedent for future calls and consolidates the position of the Fundación Ciencia & Vida-USS, CeBiB, and Grupo Zenit as benchmarks in the training and empowerment of women in STEM. At the same time, it reaffirms CORFO’s commitment to inclusive programs that foster innovation and entrepreneurship led by women throughout Chile.