When applied research meets entrepreneurship, it can lead to products, services, or technologies that not only appeal to the market but also have the potential to benefit society. That’s precisely the goal of the new Eduardo Garza T. Fernández Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub, currently under construction within the Monterrey Innovation District at Tec.
According to Mario Adrián Flores, Vice President of Tec’s Monterrey Region, this new facility ensures that research goes beyond theory and becomes a platform for real-world solutions—both for Mexico and beyond.
“We believe that science belongs in the market. There’s a lot of talk about nearshoring these days, but now it’s time to focus on smartshoring—bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovation-driven minds to create impactful solutions. This Hub will be a cathedral of innovation and entrepreneurship, but with a strong focus on science and advanced technology,” Flores explains.
On February 12, students, researchers, and executives from Tecnológico de Monterrey, along with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors, gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of a four-story building designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
The space was named in honor of its benefactor, Eduardo Garza T. Fernández, honorary president of Frisa, who attended the ceremony alongside his family.
Also in attendance were Ricardo Saldívar, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tecnológico de Monterrey; David Garza, Executive President of the institution; and Rector Juan Pablo Murra.
The New Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub at Tec de Monterrey
Science and technology-based companies from Tec de Monterrey will be housed in this new building, where they can continue growing, connect with other businesses, and share best practices to develop new projects rooted in research, explains Joel Cano, Director of Entrepreneurship Development at BCT.
“Physical spaces like this serve as the bridge between the lab and the market. One of the biggest challenges for science and technology-based startups is that their technologies are often very early, so it’s crucial to expose them to potential markets right from the start,” Cano adds.
In addition, research-driven entrepreneurs will have direct access to investors, potential clients, and the talent of students and faculty. They will also benefit from the support of institutional resources, such as the Technology Transfer Office, which can guide them on strategies for intellectual property protection.
Edgar Muñiz, Director of Strategic Innovation Projects at Tec, highlights that the Hub will also play a key role in maturing projects, enabling applied research to evolve into viable, desirable, feasible, and scalable prototypes. For example, the facility will feature specialized prototyping labs and biotechnology development spaces.
“We will have structured processes, stages, methodologies, and innovation tools—covering ideation, co-creation, and project development from the initial idea to market launch. Every step will be supported by an ecosystem of enablers, including mentors and experts providing highly targeted guidance,” Muñiz explains.
Beyond fostering connections and networking, the building will also feature garages and hangars where projects can evolve into fully-fledged startups.
More Than a Building: A Collaborative Ecosystem
Feniosky Peña-Mora, National Dean of the School of Engineering and Sciences and Executive Vice President for Research at Tec, describes the Eduardo Garza T. Fernández Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub as a space designed to foster collaboration and spark new ideas, where students, professors, and researchers will work together.
“This Hub is strategically located, connecting with other spaces where countless initiatives and ideas are already taking shape. Right across from it, we have the Expedition FEMSA building, home to an interdisciplinary research ecosystem. We are creating environments where the community can interact, identify ideas, and turn them into meaningful impact,” Peña-Mora explains.
Jorge Valdez, researcher, scientific editor at TecScience, and CEO of Synthetic Ocular Restoration, one of Tec’s science-based startups, believes this Hub will provide an innovation ecosystem unlike most in Latin America. Countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Chile have leading universities promoting similar initiatives.
“This innovation district is pushing Monterrey toward a knowledge-based economy. That translates into higher salaries, world-class talent development, and real solutions to everyday challenges in health, food production, engineering, and urban life,” says Valdez.
For Mario Moisés Álvarez, researcher and CEO of Forma Foods, the Hub represents a unique opportunity for startups to gain access to talent, resources, and infrastructure that are currently hard to come by.
“The experience of launching a startup has been enriching—we’ve learned so much—but it’s also been tough. If we had access to something like this back then, I’m sure the process would have been easier and much faster. Forma Foods will also have a presence here as a mentor, helping other startups navigate the entrepreneurial journey, connect with peers, and contribute to the growth of this innovation ecosystem,” Álvarez shares.
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