The ACE Program
The Americas Competitiveness Exchange
The Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) is the premier economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurial network of the Americas and is one of the leading High–Level events of the Organization of American States (OAS). The ACE program is one of the core initiatives of the Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC), for which the OAS serves as the Technical Secretariat. The ACE brings together up to 50 senior-level government, business, policy, and economic decision-makers from across the Americas and beyond to experience first-hand the diverse range of projects, strategic investments, public-private partnerships, and best practices from a particular region’s economic, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. These top global leaders are selected to participate in the week-long program to engage with innovation hubs, advanced technology centers, leading firms, educational and research institutions; explore local, regional, urban, and rural economic development models; share experiences and knowledge; build networks to enhance competitiveness in the Americas; promote sustainable and inclusive economic development; and increase trade and investment opportunities.
During the ACE, participants will travel through different cities to visit top innovation hubs, research centers, top companies, and leading academic institutions. Each visit offers a unique opportunity to explore local and regional economic development models. The immersive program includes hands-on demonstrations of next-generation technology, presentations and interactive discussions, behind the scenes tours, and VIP networking events to create multidirectional collaboration channels designed for participants to explore mutually beneficial partnerships, investment opportunities, and the exchange of best practices on economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurship between the hosts and fellow ACE leaders.
The ACE has been held twelve times throughout different regions since 2014, including seven in the United States, one in Canada, three in Latin America (Mexico, Argentina, and Chile), and one Special Edition hosted jointly by Germany and Israel.
The ACE is Leading Change!
- The incorporation of an aerospace company in Puerto Rico, United States, subsidiary to a Brazilian enterprise after the ACE in Puerto Rico;
- The creation of new textile jobs in North Carolina, United States, by drawing attention to the Conover Global Textile Research Center creating new investment opportunities;
- The development of a strategic plan for the Logistics Sector of the State of Hidalgo, Mexico, through a collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology;
- The consolidation of a $10M research and development program to support innovation ventures between Brazil and Israel;
- The consolidation of a new partnership between PRODETUR, Guatemala, and the Association of Small Business Centers, United States, to strengthen commercial skills of Guatemalan SMEs and provide soft-landing services to scale-up companies into Mexico;
- A Colombian telecom startup incubated in Parallel 18 in Puerto Rico, United States, which later escalated into six countries in Latin America, the United States, and Spain.
- The installation of The Ithaka Center of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Catholic University of Uruguay (UCU);
- A compatible cluster map of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, to better inform policymakers;
- The implementation of a “Seed Capital for Biotechnological Entrepreneurs” project by the National Agency for Research and Innovation of Uruguay, based on U.S. models and Economic Development Administration programs;
- The Launch of Haiti’s first Incubator Center for Technological Innovation (ALPHA Haiti) modeled after U.S. and Mexico incubators and supported by ACE leaders;
- The establishment of 12 entrepreneurship clubs in Haiti’s high schools inspired by the Flagler County School District model from Florida, United States.
ACE Editions
ACE 1
Georgia, North and South Carolina, Unided States
ACE 2
Mexico City, Aguascalientes and Guadalajara, Mexico
ACE 3
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, Unided States
ACE 4
Province of Cordoba, Argentina
ACE 5
Arizona and California, Unided States
ACE 6
Province of Ontario, Canada
ACE 7
Central Texas, Unided States
ACE 8
Florida, Unided States
ACE 9
Germany - Israel
ACE 10
California, Unided States
ACE 11
Puerto Rico, Unided States
ACE 12
Santiago de Chile, Chile