an IWRC event

26 September 2025  |  Bogotá, Colombia

26 September 2025  |  Bogotá, Colombia

IEEE LACSS

Hosted By

IEEE Latin America & the Caribbean Semiconductor Summit (LACSS)

Where: Bogotá, Colombia
When: 26 September 2025

On 26 September, IEEE Region 9, IEEE Future Directions, and IEEE-USA will host the IWRC Semiconductor Summit in Bogotá, Colombia: the first IWRC held outside the U.S. This event will focus on semiconductors as a catalyst for economic growth and innovation across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Bringing together academia, government, and industry in a neutral space, the summit fosters collaboration, giving the opportunity to the different parties to not only share knowledge, but also develop strategic partnerships that will lead to build a more connected, resilient, and competitive innovation ecosystem across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Who should attend?

Industry

Owners, C-Level, VP Level, Engineers, Legal Staff, R&D, Patent/Small Business Attorneys, Finance and VC

Industry - Why Attend?

Connect with top leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs shaping the future of the semiconductor sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. LACSS 2025 offers a unique platform to explore new business opportunities, identify potential partners, and gain insights into the latest market trends and technological developments. Through keynotes, panels, and networking sessions, industry professionals will discover strategies to drive innovation, expand into new markets, and position their companies as competitive players in the global semiconductor supply chain.

Academia

Presidents, Chancellors, Tech Transfer & Patent Offices, VPRs, Researchers

Academia - Why Attend?

Engage with industry experts, government representatives, and academic peers to explore how universities and research centers can play a pivotal role in advancing the regional semiconductor ecosystem. LACSS 2025 provides a space to discuss curriculum development, research collaborations, and workforce training initiatives that align with the evolving needs of the industry. Faculty, researchers, and students will gain valuable perspectives on emerging technologies, skill requirements, and opportunities for joint projects that can bridge the gap between education and industry.

Government

Policymakers, Federal, State, and Local Program Officers, Economic Development Professionals, Incentive Managers, Entrepreneurial Support Organizations

Government - Why Attend?

Discover actionable insights and proven strategies to strengthen your country’s position in the global semiconductor value chain. LACSS 2025 brings together policymakers, trade officials, and innovation leaders to address key challenges such as investment attraction, infrastructure development, and cross-border collaboration. Government representatives will have the opportunity to engage directly with industry and academic stakeholders, identify policy priorities, and build partnerships that foster innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth in the region.

Venue & Preliminary Agenda

Conference Venue

NH Collection Bogotá WTC Royal

NH Collection Bogotá WTC Royal

  Carrera 8A N 99-55, World Trade Center, Bogotá, Colombia

Friday, 26 September

Time (CT)
8:00 AM - Registration
8:30 AM - Welcome & Kickoff
8:45 AM - The Semiconductor Global Value Chain: Trends and Future
9:15 AM - Semiconductor Business in Latin America
9:45 AM - Fireside Chat: Perspectives from Semiconductor Leaders in Latin America
Moderator: Víctor Grimblatt, Synopsys, Chile
10:45 AM - Networking Break
11:00 AM - Breakout Sessions
Breakout 1) How to Innovate in Hardware Solutions in Latin America
Moderator: Kathy Grise, Senior Program Director, IEEE
Breakout 2) Opportunities and Challenges in Workforce Development
Moderator: Ricardo Reis, UFRGS, Brazil
12:00 PM - Networking Lunch
1:30 PM - Government Perspectives
  • Carlos Maynor Salinas Santano, asesor del secretario de CyT de Panamá (SENACYT), Panamá
  • Johannes Kelner, Viceministro de Industria y Comercio y MiPymes, República Dominicana
  • Valeria Prado, Viceministra de Inversión y Competencia del Ministerio de Economía, Guatemala
  • Hugo Cañarte, Director de proyectos y promoción de inversiones. Ministerio de Producción, Comercio Exterior, Inversiones y Pesca. Ecuador
Moderator: TBD
2:45 PM - Panel: The Americas' Semiconductor Partnership: Investment, Innovation, and Collaboration
  • Jim Lyke, US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
  • Jorge Varona, Semtech
Moderator: Erik Heilman, Director of Government Relations, IEEE-USA
3:30 PM - Networking Session
4:00 PM - Latin America’s Role in De-Risking Semiconductor Supply Chains
  • Rubi Bledsoe, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), USA
4:45 PM - Wrap-Up and What's Next
  • Luis Miguel Procel, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador
  • Lorena García, Red Colombiana de Electrónica y Semiconductores, Colombia
5-6 PM - Post-Social Event with Light Refreshments

Registration Information

Join the semiconductor summit and network with stakeholders from industry, governments, and academia. Register today.

Registration Category Price
IEEE Member US $20.00
Non-member US $30.00
All Students (both IEEE and Non-member) US $10.00

Lunch will be included. The registration fee for the summit is non-refundable.