Centro Criollo de Ciencias y Tecnología, Inc.

What Centro Criollo de Ciencias y Tecnología, Inc. does

Centro Criollo de Ciencias y Tecnología, Inc. (C3Tec) is a Puerto Rico-based 501(c) nonprofit that operates the first and only interactive science center on the island, located in Caguas. Founded in 2013 as part of the "Triangle of Knowledge" alongside CIMATEC (a specialized STEM secondary school) and INNOVA (an emerging business center), C3Tec develops informal STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) education experiences for school groups, families, young women in STEM, and the general public. Since opening, the organization states it has impacted approximately 600,000 people through exhibitions, programs, and community outreach.

C3Tec's core product is the permanent exhibition "Nuestros Cuerpos, Nuestra Isla, Nuestro Planeta," comprising over 30 interactive stations across four themed zones covering sustainability, human biology, energy systems, and environmental science. Technical assets include a Hurricane Simulator, the Ángel Ramos Foundation Cinema Theater (3D projection, 7.1 digital sound, 191 seats, Digital Cinema Initiatives specifications), a Maker Academy fabrication laboratory equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, and Arduinos, and the Terraviva Green Roof exhibition. Supporting the exhibition are educational programs (STEAM for Kids ages 3-9, Codepillars Club for girls ages 12-18, Nenas en la Ciencia, Industrial Biotechnology certification with DDEC Puerto Rico), laboratories (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Fabrication), on-site food service (404 Coffee and Beers), and retail (C3Shoppe, including a Shopify-based online store).

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of streams: annual memberships ($80 Individual to $5,000 Corporate BENEFACTOR EINSTEIN), one-time ticket sales for the permanent exhibition and traveling exhibits, facility and cinema theater rentals, birthday party packages ($150 per person for events, separate from membership pricing), and philanthropic donations/corporate sponsorships. Distribution is primarily through physical visitation at the Caguas facility supplemented by online ticket sales, the ASTC Travelers Program (providing members free access to 300+ science centers globally), and the mobile C3Tec te Visita outreach program that brings traveling exhibitions to schools and communities across Puerto Rico. The center relies on a portfolio of corporate and institutional sponsors including Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Amgen, Corteva, 3M, Columbia University, MIT, Ana G. Méndez University, and the Ángel Ramos Foundation.

Name

Centro Criollo de Ciencias y Tecnología, Inc.

Legal name

Centro Criollo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Caribe

Website

https://c3tec.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

C3Tec is a 501(c) nonprofit operating Puerto Rico's first and only interactive science center in Caguas, delivering informal STEAM education through a permanent exhibition with 30+ interactive stations, specialized programs for children and girls in STEM, certification courses, and community outreach to schools, families, and corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Museums (71211), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAEAGAI

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

SECONDARYTHAHAAAA

Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers)

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Conference & Convention Venues (Convention Centers, Civic Centers)

SECONDARYTHAJAEAC

Family Entertainment Centers (Indoor развлечения: Arcade, Soft Play, Party Centers)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Theme Parks, Water Parks & Family Entertainment Centers

Keywords

• Interactive science museum
• STEAM education programs
• Hands-on science exhibits
• Nonprofit education services
• Science center memberships

Headquarters

HQ city

Caguas

HQ country

Puerto Rico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership tiers (Individual $80, Family $130, STEAM for Kids $140, Corporate tiers from $600 to $5,000) providing unlimited visits, discounts, and special event access
2. Ticket Sales: Admission fees for the permanent exhibition, educational documentaries, and traveling exhibitions sold via Shopify storefront
3. Facility Rentals: Rental of conference rooms, cinema theater, and laboratories for events, meetings, and corporate activities
4. Birthday Party Packages: Complete party packages for children ages 4-10 including guided tours, documentaries, experiments, food combos, and decorated party rooms
5. Donations and Sponsorships: Philanthropic contributions from individuals and corporate sponsors, with tax-deductible status as a 501(c) nonprofit organization

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Centro Criollo de Ciencias y Tecnología (C3Tec) operates an interactive science and technology center in Caguas, Puerto Rico, offering a permanent exhibition with 30+ hands-on stations covering sustainability, human biology, energy, and environmental science. It supplements the core exhibition with STEAM educational programs for children and youth (Codepillars Club, STEAM for Kids, Nenas en la Ciencia, Maker Academy), hands-on laboratories (biology, chemistry, physics, fabrication), an industrial biotechnology certification program, birthday party packages, facility rentals, and an annual membership program. The center is part of the Triangle of Knowledge together with CIMATEC and INNOVA.

Product overview

C3Tec operates as a multi-component interactive science museum and STEAM education center offering a unified portfolio of physical and programmatic experiences. The core product is the Permanent Exhibition 'Nuestros Cuerpos, Nuestra Isla, Nuestro Planeta' featuring over 30 interactive stations across four themed zones. This is complemented by a diverse suite of educational programs including Codepillars Club for girls in coding (ages 12-18), STEAM for Kids for early childhood (ages 3-9), Nenas en la Ciencia for youth empowerment, and the Industrial Biotechnology certification program. Supporting facilities include Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Fabrication laboratories, the Cine Teatro Ángel Ramos cinema, and on-site food service (404 Coffee and Beers) and retail (C3Shoppe). The center also offers venue rentals, birthday packages, and annual membership tiers ranging from individual to corporate levels. Events like Weird Science (October) and Verde Navidad (December) provide seasonal programming, while traveling exhibits such as Borinqueñas en STEM extend reach beyond the physical location.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• C3Tec: Centro Criollo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Caribe - Interactive science and technology center promoting STEAM education
• Techo Verde
• Codepillars Club
• Nenas en la Ciencia
• STEAM for Kids
• Maker Academy
• Academia Maker
• 404 Coffee and Beers
• C3Shoppe
• Borinqueñas en STEM
• Inmersión Tecnológica en Biotecnología
• Únete al Movimiento STEM

Products and services

• Permanent Exhibition 'Nuestros Cuerpos, Nuestra Isla, Nuestro Planeta' Interactive science exhibition with over 30 exploration stations organized in four themed zones covering Puerto Rico sustainability, body/island/planet physical systems, energy systems, and human biology/health, including hurricane, respiratory, cardiovascular, skeletal, nervous, digestive, and reproductive systems.
• STEAM for Kids Early childhood program for children ages 3-9 that introduces STEAM concepts through interactive activities, motor and sensory skill development, and age-appropriate workshops.
• Codepillars Club After-school program for girls ages 12-18 that teaches programming, design, engineering, and coding through the scientific method and engineering design, culminating in project presentations.
• Nenas en la Ciencia (Girls in Science) Leadership and empowerment program for young women in STEAM fields designed to inspire entrepreneurship and cultivate future science and technology professionals.
• Únete al Movimiento STEM (Join the STEM Movement) Youth program in partnership with Johnson & Johnson under the WiSTEM2D program for young women ages 12-17, providing practical tools to explore STEM careers and entrepreneurship.
• Industrial Biotechnology Technology Immersion Program (Inmersión Tecnológica en Biotecnología) Stackable certification program in industrial biotechnology with emphasis on pharmacology and therapeutics, featuring Upstream Processing, Downstream Processing, and Pharmacology certifications through partnership with DDEC Puerto Rico.
• Scientific Birthday Parties (Cumpleaños Científicos) Four-hour birthday celebration packages for children ages 4-10 including guided exhibition tours, educational documentaries, scientific experiments, food combos, and decorated party rooms.
• Annual Memberships (Membresías) Annual membership tiers including Individual ($80), Family ($130), STEAM for Kids ($140), and Corporate memberships ($500-$5,000) offering unlimited visits, discounts, and special event access.
• Facility Rentals (Alquiler de Facilidades) Rental of conference rooms, cinema theater (191 seats), and laboratories for corporate events, meetings, and private activities with audiovisual equipment, technical support, and catering options.
• Educational Laboratories (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Fabrication and Design) Hands-on educational laboratories including Biology and Chemistry lab with amplification and measurement devices, Physics lab with mechanical and electrical equipment, and Fabrication and Design lab with 3D printers, laser cutters, and Arduino tools.
• Cine Teatro Fundación Ángel Ramos (Cinema Theater) State-of-the-art cinema theater with 3D high-definition projection, digital 7.1 sound system, giant screen (18' X 32'), video conferencing capabilities, and 191 seats, meeting Digital Cinema Initiatives specifications.
• Terraviva / Green Roof Exhibition Interactive environmental exhibition on the green roof showcasing sustainable practices, ecological awareness, and environmental education with restoration efforts after Hurricane María.
• Maker Academy (Academia Maker) Maker education program offering family, club, and school editions that teach fabrication, design, and innovation skills through hands-on projects with Arduinos, 3D printers, and laser cutters.
• Weird Science Annual Event Annual October event featuring science-themed entertainment and educational activities for families and children.
• Verde Navidad (Green Christmas) Annual Event Annual December environmental sustainability event celebrating green practices and holiday-themed activities.
• Noches de Ciencia (Science Nights) Evening science programs offering hands-on learning experiences in an informal setting for various age groups.
• Borinqueñas en STEM Traveling Exhibition Traveling exhibition featuring profiles of 37 Puerto Rican women in STEM fields, developed in collaboration with Ciencia Puerto Rico as part of the Semillas de Triunfo program.
• C3Shoppe (Retail Store and Online Store) On-site and online retail store offering educational, scientific, and innovative materials, toys, and merchandise.
• 404 Coffee and Beers On-site food and beverage concession offering coffee, food items, and refreshments for visitors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600,000 people impacted since 2013 through exhibitions, programs, and community initiatives
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Liberty Science CentercoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2004Technical advisor partnership established after visiting numerous interactive science centers worldwide. Liberty Science Center, one of the largest and most successful science centers in the US, provided technical guidance for content development and pedagogical approaches.
• CIMATEC (Escuela Especializada en Ciencias, Matemáticas y Tecnología)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Triangle of Knowledge with C3Tec and INNOVA Emerging Business Center, forming an integrated educational ecosystem from early STEM exposure through secondary education to entrepreneurship.
• INNOVA (Centro de Empresas Emergentes)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Triangle of Knowledge ecosystem focused on emerging businesses and innovation, complementing CIMATEC and C3Tec in the knowledge economy development model.
• Municipio de CaguascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner and supporter; C3Tec is integral to Caguas Ciudad Educadora initiative treating the entire city as a classroom. Mayor William Miranda Marín initiated the project in the late 1990s.
• Ana G. Méndez UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner and ally, contributing to educational programs and the 1st Caguas Mini Maker Faire collaboration.
• Ángel Ramos FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner and major sponsor; funded the Ángel Ramos Foundation Cinema Theater with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment including 3D projection and 7.1 surround sound.
• Ciencia Puerto Rico (Semillas de Triunfo)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Borinqueñas en STEM exhibition featuring 37 Puerto Rican women in STEM, and joint Semillas de Triunfo program providing mentors for girls in science.
• Johnson & Johnson (WiSTEM2D Program)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for JOIN the STEM Movement program targeting young women ages 12-17 with practical tools for exploring STEM abilities and careers, including collaboration with Girl Scouts of Puerto Rico.
• MedtronicmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriend of C3Tec; hosted virtual summer camp for Medtronic employees' children and families.
• Liberty Science CentercoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnical advisor partnership providing pedagogical and content validation for exhibition development.
• AmgenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of World of Molecular Biology workshops and biotechnology programming.
• Corteva AgrisciencemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Green Roof restoration efforts after Hurricane María damage.
• 3MmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience Encounters Program collaboration and Green Christmas event support.
• DDEC Puerto Rico (Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Comercio)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Industrial Biotechnology Technology Immersion program offering scholarships for bioprocessing certifications (Upstream, Downstream, Pharmacology).
• Triple-S FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupport for programs for seniors and Alzheimer's patients.
• Columbia UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner contributing to the development and launch of C3Tec.
• PfizercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner supporting the establishment of C3Tec as Puerto Rico's interactive science center.
• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting environmental and sustainability education programs.
• Girl Scouts of Puerto RicomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on JOIN the STEM Movement program reaching girls in communities across Puerto Rico.
• MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIT Launch Entrepreneurial Clubs 2017 hosted at C3Tec in collaboration with Banco Popular's Echar Pa'lante initiative.
• Banco Popular (Echar Pa'lante)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEchar Pa'lante initiative supporting youth entrepreneurship programs including MIT Launch Clubs.
• University of Puerto Rico, Humacao Campus (ITIAS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on traveling exhibitions regarding sea turtles and Puerto Rican beaches in partnership with Sea Grant program.
• Ford Motor CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting STEM education and programs at C3Tec.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Exploratorium: Renowned interactive science museum in San Francisco with hundreds of hands-on exhibits emphasizing inquiry-based learning. A benchmark for the interactive exhibition model that C3Tec adopts, particularly relevant for content development and pedagogical approach comparisons.
• Museo del Niño de San Juan: Children's interactive museum in San Juan, Puerto Rico offering hands-on exhibits and educational programming for young audiences. Closest geographic peer in Puerto Rico, targeting similar family and school demographics though focused on general children's play rather than STEM specifically.
• Liberty Science Center: Interactive science center in Jersey City, NJ, and C3Tec's named technical advisor since 2004. Operates permanent and traveling exhibitions, IMAX theater, and educational programs targeting families and schools — the closest functional and content match for C3Tec's operating model.
• Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science: Interactive science museum in Miami featuring permanent exhibitions, planetarium, and aquarium with strong STEAM programming. Operates as a regional science center destination in the Caribbean/southeastern US corridor, serving a similar demographic of school groups and families.
• International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS): Bilingual interactive museum in McAllen, TX serving the South Texas/Northern Mexico region with hands-on science and art exhibits. Comparable scale and bilingual programming approach relevant to Puerto Rico's bilingual educational environment.
• Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) Tampa: Interactive science museum in Tampa, FL with permanent exhibitions, IMAX theater, and STEM educational programs targeting families and schools. Comparable mid-sized science center model with similar facility components (theater, labs, exhibit halls) and education-focused programming.

Broad incumbents

• Franklin Institute: Major science museum in Philadelphia with extensive permanent exhibitions, IMAX theater, and educational programming. A larger established player in the science museum category, useful for benchmarking facility utilization, exhibit development, and revenue diversification.

Regional players

• Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico: Major cultural museum in San Juan, Puerto Rico offering exhibitions and educational programming. Operates within the same island market and comparable nonprofit/museum category, providing insights into local visitor dynamics and donor patterns, though focused on visual arts rather than science.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/C3TecCaguasPR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/c3teccaguaspr
• Instagraminstagram.com/c3teccaguaspr/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 Centro Criollo de Ciencias y Tecnología, Inc.