Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE)

Data

Status

Active

Start

2014

Implementation

Social Networks

LinkedIn:

Facebook:

Twitter:

The Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) is the Premier Economic Development, Innovation, and Entrepreneurial Network of the Americas.

Through knowledge-sharing, accelerating partnerships, and strengthening projects, the ACE program is committed to improving economic development, innovation, entrepreneurship ecosystems, and competitiveness performance in the Americas and other regions.

ACE activities include the Global Recognized Week-long Programs, in-person and virtual technical assistance meetings, 1-1 virtual conversations, ACE Connect Sessions (as part of the follow-up mechanism) that boost results and cooperation opportunities, and participation of ACE in other fora and events. Activities aim to support economic recovery, promote economic equity, accelerate partnerships, expand knowledge and networks, boost job creation, nurture business development, inspired new projects, strengthen initiatives, and empower communities.

The ACE Network is managed by the OAS as RIAC Technical Secretariat, with the support from the Government of the United States, through the U.S. Department of Commerce [the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the International Trade Administration (ITA)] and the U.S. Department of State/Permanent Mission of the U.S. to the OAS.

Objectives

Promoting long-term multilateral commercial, trade, and investment partnerships among decision-makers of the Americas and other regions;
Identifying and sharing best practices in economic development, including public-private partnerships, building local assets that grow businesses, cluster development, promoting entrepreneurship, and coordinating regional economic development strategies;
Stimulating capital investment and job creation in the region;
Fostering an environment for innovative companies to startup and expand;
Bringing together universities, industries, and governments to solve complex challenges no one sector or business could address on its own;
Promoting economic resiliency; and,
Enhancing opportunities for underserved populations with a multisectoral and cross-industries approach to advance equitable and inclusive economic development for all.

Activities

ACE Editions: week-long in-person iterations of the ACE Program, held twice a year collaboratively with the Local Host Organizers. For example, Santiago de Chile (Chile), Province of Ontario (Canada), Louisiana (United States);
ACE Connect Sessions: The sessions are scheduled in follow-up to the ACE Editions, as part of the ACE Follow-up Mechanism. These sessions aim to offer additional spaces for the exchange of knowledge and enhance opportunities of collaboration as a result of the implementation of the ACE program;
ACE Meet-Ups: Virtual or in-person meetings that serve to bring the ACE Community together once a year as an ACE Town Hall Gathering where prominent results are presented and some featured projects are highlighted. A Networking space is also offered for ACE leaders to further connect with each other. ACE Meet-ups are also scheduled in the framework of the Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF);
ACE Technical Assistance Meetings: Specialized sessions involving ACE Stakeholders to advance specific cooperation opportunities. This differs from an “ACE Connect Session” in its specificity, duration, and hosting format, as an “ACE Connect Session” is more general and with a broader audience.

More Results

Results

Over 30 new or improved projects created, including innovation and entrepreneurship centers and business incubators and accelerators.

20+ cooperation agreements reached.

$10M program to support innovation ventures between Brazil and Israel.

15 ACEs Offered Impacting Over 5K Beneficiaries.

Over 1K Best Economic Development Practices Shared by 8 Host Countries.

200-+ Projects, Cooperation Agreements and Verified Collaborations.

Beneficiary Countries