What unites us? This was precisely the question that was answered this weekend at Habana Espacios Creativos. A little less than twenty small businesses gathered to exchange their experiences.
The presentation of the book “Private Enterprises: Resilience and Relations with State Enterprises” opened the day. Coordinators Daybel Pañellas and Ileana Díaz talked about the research in which, together with a group of thirteen authors, they evaluated the practices of several Cuban businesses.
In a second moment, and in what has become a custom, a free showcase was held. Among the participating businesses, “Ingenius tecnologías” and “En paralelo” made their debut. The first, as a technology-based company that offers advanced information services (software development and technological infrastructure), and the second, as a sustainable urban agricultural production system, thanks to the use of hydroponics, aeroponics and aquaponics as implementation methods.
In addition, the MSMEs “Emsi Farma”, “Addimensional” and “Espoleta Tecnologías” presented their products. United by the world of technologies, these businesses promote the recovery of automated services, digital manufacturing, automation, robotics, electronics and the Internet of things. On the occasion, “Espoleta Tecnologías” presented its star product: a weather station to monitor environmental variables.
“These events are everything for us. To make ourselves known here, where other producers and customers are present, is a breakthrough, not only to increase sales, but to acquire raw materials, outsource services, seek partnerships. We are just starting out but there are many others who are not, and being able to join the services of someone else is a huge opportunity,” noted Alex Manuel Rivera, founder of Espoleta technologies.
Another of those present involved in the world of technologies was “Liang Ware”. Aimed at the development of customized software, these guys have just released the first
management system in the Cuban cloud (pilot version), aimed at new economic actors in the country and mounted on Etecsa servers. They were accompanied by “Eko peque” as a Local Development Project of Old Havana that stands out in the manufacture of articles and didactic material for young children and adolescents.
In addition, the following enterprises participated: Deshidratados Habana, Daya Cosmética Natural, Clandestina, Beyond Roots, Agua de marzo, Vélo Cuba, Charlotte Gimnasio, Oddara and Arte Corte.
The meeting culminated with a Networking session that contributed to the exchange of experiences, to expose the challenges for the private sector in Cuba, and also as a space to make emerging projects visible.
“Having the opportunity to present ourselves at this meeting allows us to show the visitors and decision-makers present how much can be done. It doesn’t close cycles, since most of the spectators are young potential entrepreneurs, who can take away an idea of what they can achieve for themselves,” commented Randy Piñero, founder of Emsi Farma.
“The real innovation is in the material aspect, in the exchanges; we should be talking more about tangible results and these meetings are proof of that,” explained Abel Pajuelo, founder of Addimensional.
