For the first time, the organization is participating in this global event, held this year in Cartagena. One of the featured projects, FutuMed, represents an investment of nearly COP 20 billion aimed at driving science, technology, and innovation for the benefit of people.
Through the FutuMed strategy, Ruta N is building a new stage in Medellín’s transformation, consolidating the city as a living lab where science, technology, and innovation are placed at the service of citizens’ well-being. This week, the organization is presenting its progress at Smart City Expo Cartagena 2025, the world’s most important Smart Cities fair.
“This is a bold commitment to accelerating technological experimentation with real impact. It also reflects the Medellín that learns, creates, and evolves to establish itself as a Smart District in Latin America,” said Ruta N’s Executive Director, Carolina Londoño Peláez.
FutuMed has an overall investment of around COP 20 billion, distributed across three funding mechanisms designed to foster and support research, development, and innovation (R&D&I) projects, technological experimentation, and the implementation of solutions to challenges that improve people’s quality of life.
The first mechanism is a partnership with eight local universities, aiming to strengthen scientific, technological, and innovation capacities in R&D&I projects, from conceptual formulation to prototype validation in relevant environments. The call for proposals is open until November 14, and nearly 100 proposals have already been received. Each selected project may receive up to COP 1.2 billion in co-funding, with a maximum duration of 18 months from the start date.
The second mechanism, Payment by Results, has a fund of COP 3 billion and will select six projects, each eligible to receive up to COP 500 million to take their developments to the next level. The call closed on October 10 with 85 proposals received, with health, finance, and mobility being the areas with the most applications.
The third funding mechanism focuses on solving city challenges, allocating the remaining COP 14 billion to implement solutions that enhance residents’ quality of life.
“FutuMed is more than an experimentation zone, t is the meeting point between knowledge and action, between tomorrow and today. It represents Medellín’s confidence in its talent, capacity, and vision for its territory,” added the Executive Director.
The financial framework driving this initiative, presented at the international expo in Cartagena, marks a milestone in the District’s innovation ecosystem, as it introduces a model where disbursements are made only when projects meet the proposed objectives within the agreed timelines and conditions.
With every new idea tested and every prototype transformed into a real solution, Medellín proves that innovation is not just a goal, it is a reality built day by day.
