Innovation Fest 2025 is being held at Expo Guadalajara, where leaders, researchers, companies, startups, educational institutions, investors, and the general public are gathering for two days in one space with the goal of generating opportunities and boosting the state’s social, economic, and educational competitiveness.
Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro stated during the opening ceremony that the state’s focus on science, innovation, and technology was decided more than five decades ago and is what has positioned Jalisco as “the new Silicon Valley of Latin America.”
The official venue for the event is Expo Guadalajara, located at Av. Mariano Otero 1499, Verde Valle, Guadalajara, Jalisco. The festival offers a main stage and multiple parallel forums with keynote addresses, panels, workshops, talks, demonstrations of robotics, artificial intelligence, gaming, and interactive exhibits.
The program is based on four main themes, with more than 60 hours of content, the participation of 30 companies and 11 universities, and an estimated attendance of more than 8,000 people.
In his remarks, the governor explained the importance of nearshoring and proximity to the U.S. market as a factor in attracting investment. Based on meetings with international investors, the governor noted that the main resource companies are looking for is young talent.
In a meeting in Taipei with someone he identified as the CEO of the world’s third-largest employer (though he didn’t specify who), the governor recounted that the executive said the following:
“If you want me to continue investing in Jalisco, what you have to give me is talent,” a businessman told him. “We need many young people who can begin a learning and working process with us.”
The governor reported on progress in the development of educational and technological infrastructure. “We are going to train 3,000 engineers annually specializing in semiconductors,” he said, and announced the start of construction on the National Semiconductor Design Center, which will be located in the municipality of Zapopan, in the Sintestal area, next to Intel.
Furthermore, he stated that “70% of the national semiconductor design and production market is designed and manufactured in Jalisco.”
During his address, the governor also presented growth figures. “Jalisco’s economy is growing three times faster than the national economy,” he said, noting that in the first half of the year, the state’s exports increased by 41%, compared to the national average of 5%.
He also highlighted that Jalisco has solidified its position as the leading non-border state in exports.
Mauro Garza Marín, Coordinator of Economic Growth and Development, expressed special thanks to the authorities and organizing teams. “I want to thank our Governor, Mr. Pablo Figueroa, for his presence. Dear Governor, thank you for all your support, and extend my warmest congratulations to Secretary Horacio Fernández and the entire outstanding team at the Ministry of Innovation who made this great event possible.”
He highlighted the collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector: “In Jalisco, we work hand in hand… I warmly welcome the university rectors; we work hand in hand with academia and the business sector.”
In their remarks, the organizers and authorities underscored Jalisco’s innovative tradition and its capacity to attract talent and investment. “Over the last five years, 19% of every 100 companies created nationwide are born in Jalisco; that is, two out of every ten companies created in our country are born here.”
The state’s leadership in intellectual property was also emphasized: “Thanks to this Secretariat and all its work on patent registration applications, Jalisco is number one.”
Connecting the Ecosystem and Inspiring Young People
Horacio Fernández Castillo, Secretary of Innovation, Science, and Technology, highlighted the long history and strength of the local ecosystem:
“We are here primarily so that this ecosystem, which has existed in Jalisco for 58 years, can connect more efficiently, and also to inspire young people.”
Fernández thanked the governor for his support and emphasized the presence of investment funds, research centers, and students at the event.
The organizers defined Innovation Fest 2025 as an immersive experience designed to inspire, connect, and transform: “May it be a cradle of inspiration, a cradle of entrepreneurship, a cradle of dreams.”
The event aims to facilitate collaboration among academia, industry, government, and society to promote research, entrepreneurship, investment, and public policies that strengthen the comprehensive development of Jalisco and the region.
Source: unotv
