Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is a city brimming with entrepreneurial passion and excellent human resources. However, until recently, startup support had been fragmented. Even with great ideas, there was a lack of an integrated system to foster growth, and the capacities of support institutions varied significantly.

Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) joined forces with ConQuito (Quito Economic Promotion Agency) to embark on a journey to connect these scattered dots into a single, powerful "Innovation Network."

Four Core Pillars: Empowering Quito to Lead Its Own Innovation

Rather than being mere program deliverers, we implemented the project around four strategic axes to ensure the City of Quito can independently drive innovation.

• Practical Acceleration. We increased startup success rates by introducing "Customer Development"-based practical training and step-by-step accelerating programs.

• Collaborative Platform. We designed the operational model for the iQ Center (Quito Innovation Center), establishing a platform where entrepreneurs, corporations, and public institutions can naturally collaborate.

• Knowledge Transfer. We transferred Korea’s startup support know-how to local agencies like ConQuito, enabling them to plan and operate policies independently after the project concludes.

• Global Partnership. We invited local startups to "COMEUP," Korea’s largest startup festival, and built a robust partnership between the innovation agencies of both countries.

Localization of "K-Startup DNA"

This project is bringing fundamental changes to Quito's entrepreneurial landscape. We standardized Korea's proven startup education methodologies to suit the local context of Ecuador. Now, Quito’s entrepreneurs commercialize their ideas according to these systematic guidelines.

The establishment of the iQ Center as a physical hub has also shifted the mindset of policymakers. The greatest achievement is the shared consensus that startup support is not a one-time welfare benefit, but an "Economic Strategy" that determines the city's future.

By the time the project concludes in 2026, Quito will have transformed into a city that generates its own innovation through.

• A self-sustaining startup platform centered around the iQ Center.

• An active network communicating in real-time with Korean and global ecosystems.

• Strengthened regional economic competitiveness through a virtuous cycle of tech entrepreneurship and investment.

Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) will remain a dedicated partner in innovation until the day Quito stands tall as a central hub for the Latin American startup ecosystem.