What we do
At the Innovation Futures Initiative (IFI) at Universidad de San Andrés, we work on complex challenges through a transdisciplinary model that integrates innovation methodologies, applied research, ecosystem development, capability building, and innovation de-risking. These five areas of practice can be deployed independently or in combination, depending on each organization’s challenge, whether it´s a corporation, government, industry association, or other stakeholders.
They all share one thing: they are executed in real-world contexts, with transdisciplinary teams from the UdeSA ecosystem, from Argentina, Latin America, and the world. The goal is always the same: for organizations to leave with problems solved, capabilities installed, and measurable results.
Capability building
Capability building focuses on developing the skills that enable teams and organizations to innovate. We work with individuals and organizations to ensure innovation becomes a real, impact-generating capability.
This line is especially relevant for organizations that need to strengthen their autonomy in innovation. The goal is not to simply learn concepts: it is to develop the capacity to innovate independently, leading to better decisions, better experiments, and better results.
Innovation methodologies
Our innovation methodologies lab provides the framework we use to explore challenges, accelerate learning, and guide the development of solutions. We design and test methodologies tailored to contexts of high uncertainty, complexity, and risk.
These methodologies help structure exploration, make critical assumptions visible, and reduce predictable errors in the management of innovation projects.
Applied research
Applied research is oriented toward solving concrete organizational challenges. This line is supported by transdisciplinary teams and by UdeSA's capacity to coordinate across innovation centers and laboratories in areas such as robotics and artificial intelligence.
This model provides access to world-class R&D capabilities without the cost of building them in-house, offering a more cost-effective approach than traditional models, and a more rigorous alternative than conventional consulting.
Ecosystem development
Innovation ecosystem development connects actors across the public, private, academic, and social sectors to achieve shared goals. Many high-potential challenges cannot be solved by a single organization and require multiple perspectives and cross-sector collaboration.
We design spaces and working formats where organizations with different capabilities share learning, risks, and opportunities.
Innovation de-risking
Innovation de-risking identifies and reduces avoidable errors that increase the likelihood of failure in innovation projects. Between 85% and 95% of innovation projects fail due to foreseeable breakdowns in process, validation, or execution.
We develop diagnostic tools to map the specific risks of each project before they become critical failures. It results in higher success rates, lower resource waste, and greater return on investment.
Master's in Business Innovation
UdeSA's Master's in Business Innovation is designed to train the professionals who will shape the future: professionals capable of innovating in contexts of uncertainty and change, from Latin America to the world.
Throughout the program, students apply new knowledge and methods to the development of innovative solutions. This is achieved through expert guidance from our faculty and frontier methodologies already validated by more than 10,000 professionals across industries and over 20 countries.
UdeSA’s Master’s in Business Innovation is aimed at professionals in innovation, product development, or project management; those about to take on leadership roles in those areas; and those looking to build the capacity to create something new, within or beyond an organization.
IFI's five areas of practice operate as an integrated system. We build capabilities, apply methodologies, develop applied research, build ecosystems, and reduce risk so that innovation translates into stronger, more scalable, and more regional relevant solutions.
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