James Leaver Consultor de Baastel | Summit 2026

Summit Panama 2026 Cohorts 2025 & 2026 | May 18 – 20, 2026 Boquete, Panamá The Empower Innovation Challenge (EIC) is a comprehensive initiative funded by the US Department of State and led and implemented by Tandem Global and its partners, the Núcleo Biotecnología de Curauma, (NBC PUCV), Baastel, and IncubatecUFRO. This initiative was designed to have a positive impact on Latin America and the Caribbean. Its activities represent a paradigm shift toward economic growth and development in the region by strengthening local economies. Through small grants, it seeks to empower micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the region that are employing innovative growth strategies. At the same time, it promotes solutions for economic growth and fosters local development and prosperity to also build commercial relationships between the US and the region. The EIC Summits serve as a platform to bring together in-person EIC partners, grantees, and regional stakeholders to exchange knowledge, align strategies, and strengthen the impact of local initiatives. The May 2026 Summit will provide a unique opportunity to welcome the two cohorts, showcase progress of the cohort 2025, share lessons learned, foster engagement with external stakeholders with expertise in areas such as access to finance, digital transformation, and competitiveness, among others, and reinforce collaboration across the region.