Chile and California: Bridging AI & Innovation
09/10/2025 Evento Presencial
This event, presented by the Chile California Council and ProChile (Chile’s Export Promotion Bureau), in partnership with Chile's Industry and Technology Attaché, brings together industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and entrepreneurs from Chile, California, and beyond. Together, we will explore the transformative potential of innovative technologies—particularly artificial intelligence in Latin America—with a focus on fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and building strategic partnerships to drive innovation and economic growth. The program will feature a keynote presentation, expert panels, and a startup pitch session highlighting cutting-edge Chilean ventures in agritech and climate tech. The day will conclude with a reception hosted by the Ambassador of Chile, H.E. Juan Gabriel Valdés, offering participants a unique opportunity to strengthen ties and build networks in a dynamic setting. As an official event of San Francisco Tech Week, this gathering will convene entrepreneurs, founders, investors, and thought leaders from both Chile and California to spotlight Chile’s emergence as Latin America’s innovation powerhouse. Discussions will center on how AI and other transformative technologies can address regional challenges, open new opportunities, and accelerate innovation across both regions. This gathering is also a key strop in the Chile tech Tour 2025 - Connecting Chile and US Innovation - and an ambitious initiative to highlight Chile’s growing role as a leading innovation hub in Latin America - connecting its most promising technologies and public-private leaders with US innovation hubs, in particular with Silicon Valley's dynamic ecosystem.
Registrations are closed
Information
14:00 horas-
Evento Presencial | The Historic Klamath, Pier 9, San Francisco
Jonathan Porat - Keynote Speaker
State Chief Technology Officer, California Department of Technology Jonathan Porat was appointed State Chief Technology Officer in 2023 by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Previously, he served as the California Department of Technology’s State Chief Technology Innovation Officer following a position as Seattle’s first Information Technology Engagement Manager. Porat worked across governments to lead initiatives with city executives, frontline staff, Seattle’s City Council, the Washington State Legislature, and the US Congress to identify business and policy issues, find innovative tech solutions, and ensure they would be sustainably managed for years to come. Previously, he worked at the US Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy and in the Executive Office of the US President.
Florencia Mesa
Directora Climatech Chile Florencia holds a degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Sustainable Business Management from Adolfo Ibáñez University. She has specialized in Strategic Management of Digital Transformation and Strategic Leadership at Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and Adolfo Ibáñez University, and is a Fellow of the Global Leadership Program at Georgetown University. Recognized as one of El Mercurio’s “100 Young Leaders,” Florencia serves on boards of directors, strategic committees, and advisory boards for startups and public and private organizations. Since 2023, she has been the Executive Director of Climatech Chile, a trade association uniting Chilean science and technology-based companies that provide climate solutions across sectors such as mining, agriculture, energy, aquaculture, forestry, and construction. In her role, she drives the development of the ecosystem to support innovative, technology-driven climate ventures.
Francisco Astaburuaga
Director AgroTech Chile Francisco Astaburuaga holds a degree in Computer Engineer with a Master's degree in Investment and Applied Finance. More than 15 years of experience in agtech and agricultural mechanization. Co-founder and current President of AgroTech Chile AG - The Association of startups and tech companies in the agriculture industry, with over 150 members + 20 active collaboration programs. Co-founder of AgroMatch.cl, a collaborative platform for agricultural machinery with over 400 customers in Chile and Perú.
David Walsh
CEO Copec Wind Ventures Brian Walsh is Founder and Head of WIND Ventures in San Francisco – the strategic venture capital group for Copec, which is a leading energy and retail corporation throughout Latin America. Brian has two decades of venture capital and startup CEO experience, mostly within the San Francisco Bay Area. Prior to WIND Ventures, Brian was a Senior Expert at McKinsey &Company where he led the Firm’s external innovation and corporate venturing advisory efforts with global Fortune 500 CEO clients. Brian holds an MBA from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a BS in Physics from Tufts University.
Daniel Gajardo - Moderator
CEO Reciprocal Reciprocal is an environmental entrepreneurship platform for Latin America and the Caribbean. It is dedicated to building, supporting, and investing in environmentally impactful start-ups from the region. Daniel Gajardo, from Santiago, Chile, graduated from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a diploma in hydraulic engineering. Daniel aspires to address environmental problems with an interdisciplinary approach, combining social and environmental sciences. He has worked as head of consulting in TriCiclos, a Latin American circular economy company, and he co-founded Engineers Without Borders Chile, a nonprofit seeking to improve the quality of life of underserved communities through the application of humanitarian engineering methodologies. He has been recognized with multiple awards, including Best Graduating Student by Pontificia’s School of Engineering, Best Graduate by Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile's alumni foundation, and for his leadership skills and social commitment by the Chilean Institute of Engineers.
Rodrigo Durán Rojas
Gerente CENIA Rodrigo Durán Rojas holds a degree in Business Administration and a Master's degree in Economics and Public Policy from Adolfo Ibáñez University. He is the Executive Director of the Latin American AI Index and manager of Cenia, responsible for technology transfer and institutional engagement. He served as chair of the Senate's talent roundtable for the draft AI framework law and as co-chair of the AI working group of the CELAC-EU Digital Alliance for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Claudia Fischer
Lead Policy Analyst on the Global Affairs, OpenAI. Claudia Fischer is an economist and philosopher with experience in both the public and private sectors. She currently serves as Lead Policy Analyst on the Global Affairs team at OpenAI, based in San Francisco, where she focuses on the design and analysis of artificial intelligence policies and their impact on international public affairs.
Evan Epstein - Moderator
Co-Chair, Chile California Council Professor & Executive Director, UC Center for Business Law San Francisco Evan Epstein is the founding Executive Director of the UC Center for Business Law San Francisco and an Adjunct Professor at UC Law SF, specializing in corporate governance. He is the creator of the VC-Backed Board Academy (VCBA), UC Law SF’s pioneering executive education program focused on governance for venture-backed companies. Additionally, Evan is a Lecturer in Management at Stanford Graduate School of Business (Spring Quarter 2025). With over 18 years of experience advising founders, executives, directors, and investors in Silicon Valley and internationally, Evan has established himself as an authority on corporate governance. He regularly serves as an expert in litigation matters involving corporate governance and fiduciary duties, both in the United States and internationally.