How we work
At the Innovation Futures Initiative (IFI) at Universidad de San Andrés, we partner with corporations, startups, governments, multilateral organizations, NGOs, and academic institutions to transform complex challenges into actionable solutions.
Depending on the scale and complexity of the challenge, our work take different forms: corporate innovation, government initiatives, action research, innovation ecosystem consortia, or focused challenge acceleration efforts, among others.
In every case, the starting point is the same: understanding the problem deeply before proposing any solution.
From challenge to innovation process
Every engagement begins with identifying high-impact challenges and jointly selecting the most critical ones: operational needs, strategic opportunities, sector-level tensions, or public challenges that demand a concrete response.
From there, we structure a process that starts with a precise definition of the challenge (its causes and broader implications) followed by the identification of critical assumptions, the early design and validation of alternatives, agile prototyping and testing, and the development of an implementation roadmap.
This approach reduces ambiguity, avoids predictable errors, and improves the quality of learning. It also helps organizations not only find better solutions but also build the ability to innovate consistently in uncertain environments
For corporations
Corporations that engage with IFI typically face one or more of the following scenarios, especially in Latin America: complex challenges without a clear solution, a desire to innovate without a systematic method, or previous attempts that did not deliver the expected results.
Our focus is aligned with that of our corporate partners: a positive return on investment (measured through innovation KPIs), de-risking (through the early identification and resolution of potential errors), and operational independence (without requiring ongoing reliance on third parties).
For governments
Local, provincial, and national governments that work with IFI seek to address complex regional challenges through rigorous methodology and academic backing.
We develop programs that combine evidence-based intervention design with capability building across public-sector and cross-sector teams to generate impact.
For industry associations
Industry associations in Latin America face a specific challenge: their members share common problems that that no single organization can solve on its own.
We design programs around shared objectives, addressed through applied research, methodology development, and sector-level problem solving with costs and risks shared across members.
Innovation challenges
We work on complex challenges with economic, social, institutional, or sectoral impact. These examples illustrate the scale of the problems we address: high impact, real complexity, and the potential to be solved with the right method.
Examples of challenges
This is how IFI at UdeSA works: we start with concrete challenges, build rigorous processes, and turn innovation into solutions that are more actionable, scalable, and relevant to the region.
When innovation is approached through rigorous methodology, applied research, and coordination across stakeholders, it moves from aspiration to a tangible capability for addressing complex problems.
Frequently asked questions
