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In a relaxed atmosphere, in the Partners’ Bar at Club 50 in Las Condes, a heterogeneous group of 18 opinion leaders associated with the world of innovation and copper (designers, entrepreneurs and institution representatives such as Codelco Lab and Pro Chile, among others) was summoned by Clarke, Modet & Cº Chile to share their experiences and opinions with respect to the historical opportunity that Chilean copper is experiencing today, not only from the perspective of mere producers of the resource, but betting on strengthening the supply of value-added goods.

After a brief introduction from Carolina del Rio – in which she addressed her experience supporting successful innovation cases – the floor was given to the editor of MásDeco Magazine, from La Tercera, Mr. Osvaldo Luco, who has followed quite closely the increasing use of copper in design and architecture over the last years.

This was followed by an amenable conversation with designers, such as Luz Briceño, representatives from academia, and from the Association of Entrepreneurs of Codelco Lab, among several other influential characters in this field.

“The talent and resources are there. The challenge is galvanizing creative energy”, said Francisco Gazmuri, executive director of Asech. For Alejandro Muñoz, creative director of Fundación Imagen de Chile, the entire conversation revolved around the vision that the entity is currently seeking. “We do not want to convey that we are just copper producers”, he said. He was especially open to the possibility of exploring the creation of a “Copper valley” in our country.

But it was Luis Améstica, founder and CEO of Copper Andino, who in addition to explaining the various applications of copper in vary diverse fields – which include not only significant works of architecture and design, but also fishing nets, carpets, health, textile products, etc. – also proposed the creation, based on this first meeting, of an “Association of Innovators for Copper,” an idea that captured the enthusiasm of all parties in attendance. In fact, Germán Quezada, Projects Chief at Codelco Lab, declared that, from this perspective, “copper’s externalities vastly exceed the costs that it generates.”

And even though all of the enthusiastic participants in this first meeting were left wanting more – in fact, the need for a new meeting was discussed – Carolina del Río closed this interesting conversation emphasizing that it is precisely in this type of reflections where Clarke, Modet & Cº Chile’s foundations – namely, innovation, trust and ethics – can make a significant contribution, for the great challenge of supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, “especially regarding copper, a product that is key for Chile and which has countless perspectives for development and for offering Chilean talent to the world, during a stage of further development.”

Participants: 

• Carolina Del Río, general director of Clarke, Modet & Cº Chile.
• Luz Briceño, designer and founder of The Copper Company.
• Rocío Cassis, psychologist and partner of The Copper Company.
• Osvaldo Luco, director of MásDeco Magazine, La Tercera.
• Luis Améstica, founder and CEO of Copper Andino.
• Christian Plaut, CEO Unilabs International (producer of copper creams).
• Francisco Gazmuri, executive director of Asech.
• Víctor Aguilera, general director of Aurus Venture III.
• Javiera Zacharías, investment analyst at Aurus Venture III.
• Germán Quezada, Projects Chief of Codelco Lab.
• Eduardo Foix, Executive Director of Codelco Lab.
• Alejandro Muñoz, creative director of Fundación Imagen de Chile.
• Bernardita Brancoli, Director of Extension and Continuous Education, UDD School of Design.
• Alejandra Amenábar, Dean of the UDD School of Design and Tenured Professor of Universidad del Desarrollo.
• Paulina Contreras, Research Director of UDD.
• María Olivia Browne, Alkance Comunicaciones
• Patricia Habit, Director Partner of Alkance Comunicaciones
• Carolina Dell’ Oro, Director Partner of Consultora Dell’ Oro Lagos.