At the facilities of the Universidad Católica de El Salvador (UNICAES) several entrepreneurs met to discuss market trends, functional products and health care through food. During the conference they explored how these interests can be leveraged for the development of new businesses.

The call for entrepreneurs to participate in Agroinnova 2022 was also presented at the event. This edition is focused on participants based in western El Salvador (later editions will be held in other areas of the country).

Those interested in growing their business or launching a new product can register at bit.ly/agroinnovaoccidente for free. The entrepreneurial proposals must be food, beverages, natural cosmetics or be related to agribusiness (with technology, software or services). In addition, the entrepreneur must be originally from the western zone. The deadline to apply is june 5.

Subsequently, the business ideas with the greatest potential or viability will be selected. The chosen ventures will move on to the training stage, in which they will receive training in business management, good production practices and the like.

Agroinnova Santa Ana will conclude with a product exhibition at the UNICAES facilities and a jury evaluation. The best ventures will be able to win personalized counseling sessions, technical support to launch the new product, and will also receive support from PROINNOVA to obtain equipment to improve the company's competitiveness.

AGROINNOVA'S IMPACT In its trajectory, the Agroinnova business growth program has benefited 620 people, developing 130 entrepreneurial projects. In addition, it has provided these projects with seed capital and technological equipment for a total of US$500,000. The program is organized by PROINNOVA, the Fundación para la Innovación Tecnológica Agropecuaria (FIAGRO) and receives funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), through El Salvador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This year it is also supported by UNICAES and the Center for the Centro de Desarrollo para la Micro y Pequeña Empresa (CDMYPE).