Boricua Emprende Fest returns Aug. 29 with expanded agenda, new features
The Boricua Emprende Fest (BE Fest), described as Puerto Rico’s largest business event, will take place Aug. 29 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, bringing together more than 2,000 participants for a day of workshops, networking and access to business resources.
Organized by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust through Colmena66, Fase1 and parallel18, this seventh edition will include more than 50 sessions, 80 resources and several new features.
Created for both aspiring entrepreneurs and established businesses, BE Fest will run under the theme “Come to connect, stay to grow.”
Denisse Rodríguez-Colón, executive director of Colmena66, said the event is meant to connect participants with the tools to start or expand businesses and support economic development.
This year’s program includes nine concurrent educational tracks covering topics from capital access to export strategies; the El Panal Expo with more than 80 business support resources; a Mentor Lounge for one-on-one guidance; Coffee Talks by Fase1; the BE Marketplace; and La Colmena Pop Up Market featuring local products. The day will conclude with a networking event.
New additions include a Podcast Village with live recordings of four shows interviewing entrepreneurs, a Wellness Hub, La Placita Market highlighting local businesses and the BE Boricua Pitch Competition, which will offer cash prizes and visibility.
Speakers will include Yizette Cifredo, Ana Agrelot, Carlos Ruiz, Marisol Villalobo, Juan Parra and Wanda Otero. Coffee Talks guests will include Bryan Villarini, Jennifer Serrano, Hermés Croatto, Luis Peña, Natalia Vallejo and Los Pleneros de la Cresta.
Lucy Crespo, CEO of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, said the event aligns with its goal of promoting collaboration and economic development.
Discounted tickets, including a VIP option, are available through sponsorship from the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Comercio, DDEC). All tickets include coffee, snacks and access to all sessions, with sign language interpreters provided.
