Jalisco to Attract Investment, Talent: Ministry of Innovation

Jalisco is positioning itself to attract greater investment by strengthening its talent pipeline and expanding its innovation ecosystem, said Horacio Fernández, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Jalisco. “We receive companies from all over the world every week that want to invest in this ecosystem, and one of the most important things they ask for is talent,” Fernández Castillo told Excélsior ahead of the closing of the first Innovation Fest 2025. He added that the event is expected to become a long-term source of skilled professionals.

“We are working so that all young people have these opportunities,” he said.

Fernández highlighted the Jalisco Innovation Center Network (Redi) as a key tool for entrepreneurship across the state. The network’s centers operate in locations including Tomatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Lagos de Moreno, and, soon, Chapala.

“These spaces are welcoming environments where entrepreneurs can learn, attend conferences, negotiate and meet with authorities,” he said. “This network is unique in the country.”

He also emphasized the importance of expanding English-language education. State-affiliated universities, including UJC and ITCSJ, with nearly 25,000 students, now offer free English courses. This is the only program of its kind in Mexico, Fernández said.

The Innovation Fest aims to inspire young audiences while the state supports researchers seeking to take innovations from the lab to the market. Programs help academics move from patent registration to commercialization. “We should not wait until they reach undergraduate studies. We must begin earlier, even in elementary school, to spark curiosity and analytical thinking,” he said.

The minister noted that Jalisco has been nurturing its innovation ecosystem for decades, beginning with the arrival of companies such as Motorola 58 years ago. The inaugural Innovation Fest drew more than 13,000 attendees, surpassing the original estimate of 8,000, with 62% men and 38% women participating. “Technology can sometimes be a difficult field for achieving women’s inclusion, but participation is growing. Reaching nearly 40% women is exciting, because here, women lead the way,” Fernández Castillo said.

Jalisco’s Industrial Growth

MBN reported that Jalisco has consolidated its position as one of Mexico’s leading export hubs, reporting a 20% increase in export value during the first half of the year. The state’s manufacturing export sector continues to grow steadily, driven by high technology and industrial diversification.

According to Guillermo del Río, President, Index Occidente, Jalisco’s exports reached US$18 billion between January and June, up from the same period last year. “We are very pleased with these results. Last year we closed with US$30 billion in exports, and if this trend continues, we expect to end the year at around US$36 or US$37 billion,” del Río said.

The industrial leader emphasized that the rise in exports has been accompanied by the creation of specialized jobs in advanced manufacturing, reflecting the strength of the state’s innovation-driven ecosystem.

Del Río highlighted that Jalisco’s success stems from close collaboration among industry, academia and government, supported by a robust supply chain capable of serving global clients just hours from the US border.

“The high-tech electronics ecosystem we have built in the state, together with our logistical proximity and available talent, gives us a unique strength,” he said. “All of this consolidates Jalisco as the ‘Silicon Valley of Mexico.’”

Del Río reiterated that the region will continue betting on innovation and technological specialization as key pillars to sustain industrial growth and strengthen its position as one of the country’s main export poles.