Our History

As the first incubator in Puerto Rico, the original Vivero de Tecnología y Ciencia (VITEC) was established in January1999 by the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus. In 2003, the incubator was transferred and managed by the Puerto Rico Technoeconomic Corridor (PRTEC), a non-profit entity created by a joint effort of academia, government and industry to foster economic development in the Western Region of the Island.

Renamed VITEC2, the incubator’s mission is to stimulate a ‘success environment’ where scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs can transfer their technology-based research findings into successful business ventures that can compete in the global economy. To date, VITEC2 has already developed two successful companies – Vernet, an educational software company selling internationally; and Infotech Aerospace Services, a software development joint venture with multinational Pratt & Whitney.

VITEC2’s vision is to be a catalyst in the transformation of Puerto Rico’s economy by accelerating the creation and transfer of technology in knowledge-intensive industries. In very general terms, VITEC2 targets opportunities in Software Development, Financial and Insurance IT Services, Value-Added Call Centers, Healthcare Related IT, and U.S. Military Related IT.

Facilities

VITEC2 consists of a refurbished industrial building of 22,792 sq. ft, of which approximately 16,000 sq. ft are rentable space. There are four administrative offices, a computer/fax/copy center, two conference rooms, bathrooms, lunchroom, a shipping and receiving area, nine modules ranging from 210 to 345 sq. ft, and six modules ranging from 900 to 1,800 sq. ft. The computer center is set up for training with several workstations and the conference rooms can be set up for training as well.

Our Sponsors
VITEC2 has enrolled a number of companies and entities as key stakeholders, such as:

The Chamber of Commerce
The Movement for the Development of Mayaguez
The Engineering Deans and Departments of the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
HP
The Mayor of the City of Mayaguez
The Director of Research and Development of UPR Mayaguez
Metaltech Inc.
Solectron
PR Small Business Development Corp.
PR Office of Economic Development
Miradero Venture Capital

As a public-private effort, the incubator has at its disposal every engineering and managerial discipline available to formally and informally mentor projects, companies, entrepreneurs and student projects that enter VITEC2.

Organizational Chart

Staff and Board of Directors