CEDIA

What CEDIA does

CEDIA (Corporación Ecuatoriana para el Desarrollo de la Investigación y Academia) is a Cuenca-headquartered, Ecuadorian non-profit corporation that operates as the country's National Research and Education Network (NREN). Founded in the early 2000s and governed under a formal ministerial agreement, CEDIA provides connectivity infrastructure, research funding, academic services, and capacity-building programs to Ecuadorian universities and higher education institutions through a consortium model. The organization maintains four offices (Cuenca as headquarters, plus Quito, Guayaquil, and Manta) and is led by President Cecilia Paredes, PhD and Executive Director Juan Pablo Carvallo Vega, PhD.

The organization's core technology is its own fiber-based research and education network across Ecuadorian cities, onto which it layers a portfolio of funding programs (Fondo Divulga, Fondos Connect), academic talent initiatives (ESTALMAT, CIO University), data services (Copernicus EU satellite access), publications (Revista Connect, DIGITALs), and convening platforms (TICEC annual conference, IGNOVA innovation congress, CEDIA Awards). The TICEC conference — first held in 2013 at EPN Quito and now scheduled through a 14th edition in 2026 at Universidad Indoamérica — is the primary community engagement surface, drawing over 700 researchers per edition and producing 317 indexed articles with 55,000 downloads and 316 citations. The full member-base spans 13+ named major institutions including UC, EPN, ESPE, USFQ, ESPOL, UPS, UDLA, UDA, UTA, UTI, UNACH, UNL, and UTN.

CEDIA operates a membership-fee revenue model funded by its higher education institution members, supplemented by international grants (notably the EU-funded BELLA Programme) and development-agency cooperation (GIZ). It coordinates with peer Latin American NRENs (RENATA Colombia, REUNA Chile, CUDI Mexico, RAU Uruguay) and global counterparts (GÉANT, RedCLARA, eduroam) to provide international connectivity, federated identity, and research collaboration. The organization holds ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for information security and complies with Ecuador's LOPDP data protection law.

Name

CEDIA

Legal name

Corporación Ecuatoriana para el Desarrollo de la Investigación y Academia (CEDIA)

Website

https://cedia.edu.ec

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CEDIA is Ecuador's National Research and Education Network — a non-profit consortium that operates proprietary fiber connectivity, research funding programs, and academic development services for higher education institutions across the country.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Research and Education Network Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAEALAO

Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Outsourced Operations & Managed Services for Education (BPO/Contracted Support)

SECONDARYBPADAAAK

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Multilateral & Intergovernmental Organizations

SECONDARYEDAIABAF

Consortia & Network Exchange Programs

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/University/College Exchange Programs & Partnerships

Keywords

• Research and education network
• Academic connectivity services
• Higher education infrastructure
• Research funding programs
• Academic networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Cuenca

HQ country

Ecuador

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Member Institution Fees: CEDIA operates as a non-profit corporation funded through membership fees from higher education institutions in Ecuador. The organization provides connectivity, technology infrastructure, funds for research, and academic services to its member institutions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CEDIA operates Ecuador's National Research and Education Network, providing high-speed academic connectivity, research funding programs, professional training, and collaboration services to member higher education institutions. The organization funds researchers through programs such as Fondo Divulga and Fondos Connect, runs the annual TICEC ICT conference, delivers satellite data access via Copernicus, and coordinates international partnerships with RedCLARA and GÉANT.

Product overview

CEDIA (Corporación Ecuatoriana para el Desarrollo de la Investigación y Academia) is Ecuador's National Research and Education Network (NREN) organization. It operates as a platform organization providing research infrastructure, funding programs, and professional development services to Ecuadorian academic institutions. The core offerings include high-speed academic network connectivity, conference organization (TICEC), research dissemination funding (Fondo Divulga, Fondos Connect), educational programs (ESTALMAT, CIO University), data services (Copernicus), award programs (CEDIA Awards), and digital publications (Revista Connect, DIGITALs). The portfolio combines infrastructure services with grant programs, capacity-building initiatives, and knowledge-sharing platforms to advance science, technology, and innovation in Ecuador.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TICEC: Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación del Ecuador - Ecuadorian Conference on Information and Communication Technologies, the flagship annual ICT conference organized by CEDIA since 2013
• Fondo Divulga
• Fondos Connect
• Fill the Gap
• CEDIA Awards
• ESTALMAT
• CIO University
• IGNOVA
• PRISMA

Products and services

• Red de Conectividad Académica (Academic Connectivity Network) High-speed research and education network infrastructure providing connectivity across Ecuadorian cities using CEDIA's own fiber network. The core service enables member universities to access internet, interconnect with global research networks, and run academic applications.
• Fondo Divulga Research dissemination fund supporting researchers from CEDIA member institutions to present high-impact articles at international events and conferences. Targets Ecuadorian university researchers seeking international visibility.
• Fondos Connect Funding program for science, technology, and innovation projects at CEDIA member institutions. Provides financial support for research and development initiatives across the Ecuadorian academic sector.
• Fill the Gap Programs providing accompaniment, mentorship, and training services to strengthen research and innovation capabilities at member institutions.
• ESTALMAT Program for detecting and nurturing mathematical talent in young students in Ecuador. Educational talent development initiative targeting gifted youth.
• CIO University Executive education and professional development program for IT leaders and Chief Information Officers in Ecuador's academic institutions.
• Copernicus Access to European Union Copernicus satellite data and space-based information services for research and innovation in Ecuador. Provides satellite imagery and earth observation data to academic researchers.
• TICEC (Ecuadorian Conference on Information and Communication Technologies) Ecuador's flagship annual conference on Information and Communication Technologies, bringing together researchers, professionals, and students since 2013 to share ICT innovations and research. Annual event serving the Ecuadorian academic and research community.
• CEDIA Awards Annual awards program recognizing outstanding contributions in science, technology, and innovation within the Ecuadorian academic and research community.
• Revista Connect Magazine covering science, technology, and innovation topics for the Ecuadorian academic community. Editorial publication distributed to members and stakeholders.
• DIGITALs by CEDIA Digital publications and resources platform for scientific dissemination and academic communication.
• Club de Innovación Abierta Open innovation community connecting researchers and innovators to collaborate on technology projects within the CEDIA ecosystem.

Named customers13 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RED CLARAcoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic alliance with the Latin American Research and Education Network (RedCLARA), the regional NREN for Latin America, enabling international connectivity and collaboration.
• GEANTcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with GÉANT, the European research network, facilitating international research collaboration and connectivity for European-Latin American partnerships.
• EDUROAMcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides federated identity roaming services allowing researchers and students to access WiFi at participating institutions worldwide.
• BELLA ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Union funded program to strengthen research and education networks between Europe and Latin America.
• OMPI (WIPO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld Intellectual Property Organization partnership for intellectual property support services.
• UNICEFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on social and educational initiatives.
• Unión EuropeacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Union funding support through various programs including BELLA for research network development.
• GIZminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman development agency cooperation for technical projects.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CEDIAec
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCk4DIPllwo_VmErBcs6JBg
• Facebookfacebook.com/CEDIAec
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cediaec
• Instagraminstagram.com/Cediaec

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CEDIA