About GEN in Paraguay

Connecting Paraguay to the Global Entrepreneurship Movement

The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) has been active in Paraguay for more than 15 years, using Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) as the country's primary platform for inspiring entrepreneurs and connecting local innovators with the global entrepreneurship movement. Since joining the worldwide campaign, Roberto Urbieta has led Paraguay's participation, first through Fundación Paraguaya, later through the AMCHAM Foundation, and ultimately through the establishment of GEN Paraguay as an independent association dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship nationwide. Under this continuous leadership, Paraguay has participated annually in GEW, bringing together entrepreneurs, universities, corporations, government agencies, investors, and entrepreneur support organizations through a growing calendar of activities across the country.

Today, GEW Paraguay has become one of the country's leading entrepreneurship initiatives. Activities take place in Asunción and cities throughout Paraguay, supported by institutions including the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the National Directorate of Entrepreneurship (DINAEM), the Vice Ministry of MSMEs, universities, business associations, and entrepreneur support organizations. The campaign has helped foster a culture of entrepreneurship while creating new opportunities for collaboration across Paraguay's innovation ecosystem.

Peer-to-peer learning opportunities

Paraguay has maintained an active presence across GEN's global programs and convenings, connecting ecosystem leaders with international peers and best practices. At the Startup Nations Summit in Cork, Ireland, in 2016, the National Secretariat for Information and Communication Technologies (SENATICS) was represented by Leticia Romero, who presented Paraguay's experience with InnovandoPY, one of the country's first government-led startup support programs. At the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Istanbul in 2017, Paraguay was represented by Idelin Molina, then President of CONACYT, together with Carolina Luzardi, an early startup community organizer through 595Valley and other initiatives.

Following the creation of the National Directorate of Entrepreneurship (DINAEM) under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), the institution became an active participant in GEN's global policy network. Edgar Colmán, DINAEM's first Director, represented Paraguay at the Startup Nations Summit in Surabaya, Indonesia, while Juan Paredes Romero later represented the Ministry at Startup Nations meetings in Riyadh and Puerto Rico. Together, these engagements established Paraguay as an active contributor to GEN's international community while helping bring global entrepreneurship policy and best practices back to the country.

Paraguayan entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, and policymakers have also participated regularly in the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC), strengthening international partnerships and expanding Paraguay's global network. The country's delegation to GEC Bahrain in 2019 included Marta del Castillo of Koga and Christian Sosa of ASEPY, while Carolina Luzardi of OpenX, Isaac Gutiérrez of PARCAPY, and other ecosystem leaders represented Paraguay at Global Entrepreneurship Congress + Puerto Rico in 2024.

Opening Global Opportunities for Paraguayan Startups

Since 2019, Paraguay has participated in the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) through GEN Paraguay in partnership with EMNOBA, led by Norma Barrios, connecting Paraguayan startups with one of the world's largest startup competitions, providing founders with access to international mentors, investors, training, and global visibility.

Beyond the competition itself, GEN has served as a bridge between Paraguay's ecosystem and international opportunities. Through relationships established within the GEN community, Paraguayan startups including Ruruka and Place Analyzer expanded their engagement with the global entrepreneurship ecosystem through participation in the Entrepreneurship World Cup and the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, creating new opportunities for international visibility, partnerships, and collaboration.

Looking Ahead

As Paraguay's entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to evolve, GEN remains a trusted connector between local founders and the global entrepreneurship community. Through its Global Entrepreneurship Week campaign, Startup Nations engagement, the Global Entrepreneurship Congress delegations, an Asuncion chapter of Startup Huddle, and the Entrepreneurship World Cup, GEN has helped position Paraguay as an increasingly active contributor to the global entrepreneurship movement while supporting the continued growth of innovation, startup creation, and ecosystem collaboration across the country.