ConQuito

What ConQuito does

ConQuito (Corporación de Promoción Económica ConQuito) is a private non-profit economic promotion corporation founded in 2003 and headquartered in Quito, Ecuador, with 101–250 employees. It operates as the designated municipal economic development agency for the Distrito Metropolitano de Quito, delivering four integrated service pathways: Empleabilidad (employability), Emprendimiento (entrepreneurship), Innovación (innovation), and Economía Popular y Solidaria (popular and solidarity economy). The organization's portfolio includes the Bolsa Metropolitana de Empleo online job exchange (built on Odoo, with 10,000+ candidates), the annual Feria de Empleo attracting 14,000+ attendees and 4,000 vacancies, the FonQuito non-reimbursable seed capital program (USD 10,000–40,000 per venture), the Empretec entrepreneurship training (UNCTAD/Harvard methodology with 70% scholarship), EmprendeLAB and IncubaLab pre-incubation and incubation labs, and the 20-year AGRUPAR Participatory Urban Agriculture program supporting 2,300 gardens and 105 organic products sold through 22+ Bioferias locations. ConQuito does not develop proprietary technology; it leverages third-party platforms and partnerships with KOICA, CEPAL, UNCTAD, UNDP, and four major Ecuadorian universities to deliver its programs. The business model is overwhelmingly funded by the Municipio del Distrito Metropolitano de Quito, with minimal cost recovery from subsidized Empretec fees; virtually all services are delivered free of charge to citizens and entrepreneurs.

Name

ConQuito

Legal name

Corporación de Promoción Económica ConQuito

Website

https://conquito.org.ec

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ConQuito is the designated municipal economic development corporation of Quito, Ecuador, delivering free employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and urban agriculture programs to residents since 2003, funded primarily by the Municipality of Quito and international cooperation partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Career Exploration & Industry Exposure (Guest Speakers, Company Visits) (EDAMAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Leadership, Management & Teamwork for Business (EDAMAHAI), Marketing, Branding & Sales Skills (EDAMAHAG)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Employment intermediation
• Entrepreneurship training
• Urban agriculture programs
• Innovation support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Quito, Pichincha

HQ country

Ecuador

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Municipal funding and public financing: ConQuito is a private non-profit corporation (Corporación de Promoción Económica) funded primarily by the Municipio del Distrito Metropolitano de Quito (MDMQ). Programs such as FonQuito capital semilla, employment services, and training are financed by municipal budgets. The organization itself does not generate commercial revenue from product or service sales.
2. Fee-based training programs (Empretec): ConQuito charges a subsidized fee for certain training programs. For example, the Empretec program costs $360 total but participants receive a 70% scholarship, resulting in a final price of $250 per participant. This represents a cost-recovery model rather than a profit-generating activity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ConQuito delivers free economic development services to residents of the Distrito Metropolitano de Quito, operating four integrated pathways: Employability (Bolsa Metropolitana de Empleo job exchange, Gestión de Vacantes recruitment support, Feria de Empleo fairs, vocational training); Entrepreneurship (FonQuito non-reimbursable seed capital up to USD 40,000, EmprendeLAB pre-incubation, IncubaLab incubation, Empretec UNCTAD/Harvard methodology training); Innovation (Centro de Innovación iQ coworking and innovation hub, Tu Negocio con IA digital transformation for MIPYMES, Programa Global Tech with CEPAL); and Popular and Solidarity Economy support (Vinculación al Mercado, Ruta de la EPS). It also runs AGRUPAR, a 20-year participatory urban agriculture program supporting 2,300 urban gardens.

Product overview

ConQuito is a private non-profit economic promotion corporation that operates a multi-track service platform organized into four main pathways: Employability (Ruta de Empleabilidad), Entrepreneurship (Ruta de Emprendimiento), Innovation (Ruta de Innovación), and Popular and Solidarity Economy (Ruta de la EPS). The portfolio includes employment exchange services (Bolsa Metropolitana de Empleo, Gestión de Vacantes, job fairs), entrepreneurship support (FonQuito seed capital, Empretec, EmprendeLAB, IncubaLab), innovation infrastructure (Centro de Innovación IQ, Innovation District), urban agriculture (AGRUPAR, Puntos de Alimentación Saludable), and digital transformation programs (Tu Negocio con IA, Global Tech). The programs are designed as an integrated ecosystem where job seekers progress through training into employment, entrepreneurs move from ideation through seed capital to market linkage, and innovators access coworking spaces and international cooperation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AGRUPAR: Urban agriculture project promoting participatory urban agriculture through implementation of family, community, school, and institutional gardens in Quito.
• iQ Centro de Innovación
• FonQuito
• EmprendeLAB
• Empretec
• Tu Negocio con IA

Products and services

• Bolsa Metropolitana de Empleo Free online job exchange platform connecting job seekers with employers in Quito, offering over 10,000 active candidates and supporting vacancy postings and candidate pre-selection services. Built on the Odoo platform at bolsaempleo.odoo.com.
• Gestión de Vacantes Technical vacancy management support for employers: identifies qualified talent, analyzes resumes, performs technical pre-selection, and delivers candidate ternas within 6–10 business days. Free of charge.
• Feria de Empleo ConQuito Large-scale in-person employment fair connecting nearly 100 companies with thousands of job seekers, offering 4,000+ vacancies across multiple economic sectors with scheduled appointments and orientation workshops.
• Ruta de Emprendimiento Integrated entrepreneurship pathway offering pre-incubation, incubation, seed capital, and market connection services for startups from ideation through consolidation stages in Quito.
• FonQuito - Quito Dinámico Non-reimbursable seed capital fund for innovative startups in Quito, offering USD 10,000–15,000 (natural persons) and USD 10,000–25,000 (legal entities) at Puesta en Marcha stage; USD 25,000–40,000 at Consolidation stage, plus 6-month incubation and 1-year post-monitoring.
• EmprendeLAB Idea laboratory program offering group formation, personalized mentoring, networking, and pitch deck presentation for early-stage entrepreneurs in Quito's Metropolitan District. Free of charge.
• Empretec United Nations Empretec entrepreneurship program using Harvard methodology covering 10 fundamental competencies for business development over 56 intensive hours (6 sessions). Subsidized cost of $250 after a 70% scholarship (original price $360).
• IncubaLab Incubation laboratory supporting growth of startups and Popular and Solidarity Economy units through technical assistance and structured accompaniment in Quito. Free of charge.
• Tu Negocio con IA Digital transformation and AI adoption program for MIPYMES in Quito offering digital maturity diagnosis, personalized training, 1:1 mentoring, digital roadmaps, and demo day presentations. Free of charge.
• AGRUPAR - Agricultura Urbana Participativa 20-year participatory urban agriculture program promoting household, community, school, and institutional gardens across Quito, supporting 2,300 urban gardens and 4,500 annual beneficiaries in organic food production. Free of charge.
• Puntos de Alimentación Saludable (Bioferias) Healthy food points / outdoor markets offering approximately 105 organic products from urban gardens, including vegetables, tubers, medicinal plants, fruits, processed foods, and meat products at 22+ locations across Quito's municipal zones.
• Proceso Formativo - Capacitaciones Free vocational training programs covering current topics and offering certified credentials, delivered in multiple modalities (master classes, webinars, workshops, courses) with institutional customization options and international certifications (e.g., via AICAD Business and OPE Corporation).
• Vinculación al Mercado Market linkage services connecting producers and EPS organizations with public and private markets through the Catálogo Dinámico Inclusivo, Feria Inclusiva, productive fairs, artisan galleries, and technical assistance for municipal public procurement access.
• Fomento de la Innovación y Competitividad Innovation promotion initiatives including the Centro de Innovación iQ, the Quito Technology Cluster, and Innovation District development in La Mariscal.
• Centro de Innovación iQ Multi-floor technology innovation center in La Mariscal providing coworking spaces (Coworking Creatividad Q with 12 workstations, Coworking Metropolitano with 8 stations), meeting rooms (Sala KM0 30-person, Salón KM0 40-person, Sala Cumbre 13-person, Sala Metropolitana), gallery and creativity cabins for entrepreneurs, SMEs, and the Popular and Solidarity Economy sector in Quito.
• Programa Global Tech Technology export capacity building program implemented with CEPAL and partners CITEC, AEI, ALES, and ClusterTech Quito for digital technology services companies seeking to enter international markets.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,500 beneficiaries reached annually by the AGRUPAR urban agriculture program
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 August 2024KOICA is collaborating with ConQuito on the development of the Centro de Innovación de Quito iQ, a multi-floor innovation center in La Mariscal. KOICA provides technical expertise, the SAP (Startup Acceleration Program), and the Train The Trainer (TTT) program, strengthening entrepreneurship and innovation capacities of 25 startup teams and 25 innovation advisors. The partnership includes the iQ Innova: Startup Week event featuring Korean experts.
• Diseño Futuro and OikonomicssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2024Diseño Futuro and Oikonomics collaborate with ConQuito to organize InnovaNite.UIO, a monthly networking event for the Quito innovation and entrepreneurship community. These partners contribute event organization, expert panels, and venue support for the events held at venues like Cervecería Cherusker.
• CEPAL (Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe / UN ECLAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 February 2024CEPAL and ConQuito jointly implement the Global Tech program to strengthen export capacities of digital technology services companies in Quito. The program selected 20 companies for initial technical assistance and 7 companies for extended 10-hour technical assistance processes, aiming to open international markets for Quito's tech sector.
• AICAD Business and OPE CorporationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAICAD Business and OPE Corporation partner with ConQuito to provide international certifications through Rapid Elearning courses to ConQuito's target population, expanding the range of recognized credentials available to Quito's job seekers and entrepreneurs at no cost.
• Municipio del Distrito Metropolitano de Quito (MDMQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Municipality of Quito is ConQuito's founding partner and primary funder. The MDMQ provides financing for key programs including FonQuito seed capital grants, the Centro de Innovación iQ, employment services, and all municipal economic development activities carried out by ConQuito.
• Secretaría de Inclusión Social (SIS)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConQuito and the Secretaría de Inclusión Social have a cooperation agreement under which ConQuito delivers in-person training sessions at community centers (Casa Somos Carapungo, La Ecuatoriana, Casa Comunal la Libertad) for unpaid domestic workers identified by the SIS.
• KOICA and Municipio de Quito (Centro de Innovación iQ co-operation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Centro de Innovación iQ was developed in cooperation with KOICA and the Municipio de Quito, combining Korean technical cooperation expertise with municipal investment to create Quito's primary innovation hub in the La Mariscal Innovation District.
• PNUD (UNDP / Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNDP Ecuador collaborates with ConQuito on fostering the innovation ecosystem in Quito, including joint publications on innovation ecosystem development in the Distrito Metropolitano de Quito.
• UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNCTAD developed the Empretec methodology used in ConQuito's entrepreneurship training program. Instructors are certified in the UNCTAD Empretec methodology from Harvard University, covering 10 fundamental areas of entrepreneurial competency.
• CITEC (Cámara de Innovación y Tecnología Ecuatoriana)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCITEC participates as a key partner in the Global Tech program alongside ConQuito and CEPAL, helping to engage and mobilize Quito's technology companies for export capacity building initiatives.
• AEI (Alianza para el Emprendimiento e Innovación del Ecuador)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAEI collaborates with ConQuito in the Global Tech program, connecting Quito's innovation ecosystem actors to participate in technology export strengthening initiatives.
• ClusterTech QuitosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerClusterTech Quito partners with ConQuito and CEPAL in the Global Tech program, representing Quito's technology cluster and facilitating participation of tech companies in export development activities.
• Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (UPS)supportingOthersUPS is one of ConQuito's institutional partners and board members, contributing academic expertise to ConQuito's programs including participation in innovation events and entrepreneurship support activities.
• Escuela Politécnica Nacional (EPN)supportingOthersEPN is an institutional partner and board member of ConQuito, contributing to technology and innovation programs including the Global Tech initiative and technology export strengthening.
• Universidad Central del EcuadorsupportingOthersUniversidad Central del Ecuador participates as an institutional partner and board member of ConQuito, contributing to economic development and entrepreneurship programs.
• Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas (ESPE)supportingOthersESPE is an institutional partner and board member of ConQuito, contributing to technology and innovation capacity building across Quito's economic development programs.
• Cámara deIndustrias y ProducciónsupportingOthersThe Cámara de Industrias y Producción is a ConQuito board member and partner, representing Quito's industrial and production sector in economic development initiatives.
• Cámara de AgriculturasupportingOthersThe Cámara de Agricultura participates as a partner and board member of ConQuito, contributing to agricultural development and urban farming program support.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ruta N Medellín: Ruta N is Medellín's municipal innovation and economic development agency, operating an innovation campus and supporting entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and competitive urban development. It is the closest Latin American municipal counterpart to ConQuito in mandate, scale, and programming.
• Barcelona Activa: Barcelona Activa is the municipal economic development agency of Barcelona, providing employment services, business incubation, training, and innovation programs to residents and entrepreneurs. Its integrated service model across employability, entrepreneurship, and innovation directly mirrors ConQuito's Ruta structure.
• Invest in Bogotá: Invest in Bogotá is the Bogotá region's investment promotion and economic development agency, focused on attracting investment, supporting entrepreneurship, and fostering innovation. Comparable to ConQuito as a city-level agency combining entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic promotion mandates.

Others

• Ashoka: Ashoka is a global organization supporting social entrepreneurs and changemakers through fellowships, networks, and capacity building. Comparable to ConQuito's entrepreneurship and social economy programs in supporting mission-driven entrepreneurs, though focused on social impact ventures at global scale.
• ProColombia: ProColombia is Colombia's national export promotion agency supporting internationalization of Colombian businesses. Comparable to ConQuito's Global Tech program (export capacity building for tech companies) though operating at national level and broader sector scope.
• Corporación Financiera Nacional (CFN) Ecuador: Ecuador's national development bank offering financing to productive sectors. Relevant peer for FonQuito's seed capital and entrepreneur financing function, though CFN focuses on larger-scale credit rather than non-reimbursable seed grants.

Broad incumbents

• SEBRAE (Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas): SEBRAE is Brazil's national support service for micro and small enterprises, providing training, consulting, credit access, and entrepreneurship programs at massive scale. It is comparable to ConQuito's MIPYME and entrepreneur support mission but operates nationally rather than municipally.
• INADEM (now IMPI / Economía) Mexico: INADEM was Mexico's national institute for entrepreneurs, supporting MSMEs with financing, training, and innovation programs before being reorganized. As a former national-level economic development entity, it is broadly comparable to ConQuito's MIPYME and entrepreneur support role, though at much larger national scale.

Emerging players

• Endeavor: Endeavor is a global high-impact entrepreneurship support organization operating across Latin America, providing mentorship, networks, and scale-up support to selected entrepreneurs. Comparable to ConQuito's entrepreneur selection and incubation pathway but focused on later-stage, high-growth ventures.
• Impact Hub Quito: Impact Hub Quito is a local innovation hub within the global Impact Hub network, providing coworking space, incubation, and entrepreneurship programming in Quito. It overlaps with ConQuito on entrepreneur support and innovation infrastructure but operates as a private network rather than a municipal agency.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/conquitouio
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ConQuitoUIO
• Facebookfacebook.com/conquitouio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/conquitouio
• Instagraminstagram.com/conquitouio/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 ConQuito