Last week, eight exceptional students from three leading Chilean universities took part in the ChileMass University Bootcamp 2025—a week-long program designed by the Entrepreneur Innovation Center at Framingham State University, led by Michael Clouser.
Held in Boston and Cambridge, the bootcamp combined a tailored academic curriculum, site visits, and mentorship to help young Chilean scientists engage with the heart of the U.S. innovation ecosystem.
Participants stayed at Boston College, enjoying a full American college experience while building skills in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Who Participated: STEM Talent from Chile
Each student came from a STEM discipline, representing diverse fields and institutions:
- Javiera Alejandra Martínez – Physics, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María
- Martina Antonia Macaya – Physics, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María
- Gustavo Alfredo Rohde – Marine Biology, Universidad de Valparaíso
- Francisca Javiera Rodríguez – Statistics & Data Science, Universidad de Valparaíso
- Amalia Ignacia Chamorro – Biochemistry, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Claudia Antonia Álvarez – Astrophysics, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María
- Matías Luis Ignacio Díaz – Physics, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María
- Isidora Paz Saavedra – Physics, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
️ Learning in Two Languages: English and Spanish
The bootcamp’s sessions were delivered by experts in both English and Spanish, making the content accessible while helping students practice and grow. In just a few days, the group went from hesitant English speakers to confidently presenting ideas and discussing their careers in a second language.
Expert Sessions Included:
- Business model innovation
- Go-to-market strategies
- Financial planning for startups
- Customer discovery and team-building
- Investment readiness and pitch deck design
“I learned more than I imagined—in science, entrepreneurship, and myself.”
️ Exclusive Access to Top Institutions
Students visited leading centers of learning and innovation:
- Harvard University, hosted by Chilean undergraduate Santiago Salazar
- MIT, where Chilean researcher Maximiliano Jara guided them through his lab and shared insights from his work on biosensors and nanomaterials
- IDEO Cambridge, Northeastern University’s Experiential Robotics Institute, and Venture Café, among others
These visits helped students visualize their own potential within global innovation ecosystems.
“I visited places I thought I’d never reach. It was a dream come true.”
Impact at a Glance
- 100% rated the program 6 or 7 out of 7
- 100% gave top marks to extracurricular visits
- 100% would recommend the experience to other students
“This experience opened my mind to what I can really do with my degree.”
Ready to Follow Their Footsteps?
Want to learn more about ChileMass education programs and how we connect Chile with Massachusetts through innovation?
Contact us at: mpbraun@chilemass.org
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Next stop: 2026!