A delegation of 12 international leaders will visit the New Mexico Start-Up Factory (NMSUF) in mid-April as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a premier professional exchange initiative focused on advancing global collaboration and leadership.
Hosted locally by Global Ties ABQ, the delegation is participating in a program titled “Advancing U.S. and Global Economic Prosperity,” which brings emerging leaders to the United States to explore economic development, innovation, and international trade. During their Albuquerque visit, participants will engage with regional organizations to gain a deeper understanding of how innovation ecosystems drive growth.
As part of the program, the delegation will meet with the New Mexico Start-Up Factory to examine how scientific discoveries are translated into high-growth companies. The visit will provide a firsthand look at technology commercialization efforts across New Mexico’s research and innovation landscape.
Melissa Firestone, Company Creation Specialist at NMSUF, will open the session with an overview of the organization’s mission, portfolio, and approach to building companies rooted in scientific innovation. The presentation will highlight how NMSUF collaborates with researchers from universities, national laboratories, and medical institutions to advance technologies from concept to market.
The program will also feature company presentations that illustrate the commercialization process in action. Dr. Sang M. Han will present on Osazda Energy, a company developing advanced materials to enhance solar cell performance. Dr. Kristina Trujillo will provide an overview of TNeuroDX, a company focused on developing a diagnostic platform for Alzheimer’s disease. These sessions will demonstrate how NMSUF supports founders through strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to capital.
The IVLP visit is part of a broader Albuquerque itinerary designed to showcase the region’s innovation and economic development ecosystem. The delegation will also meet with organizations including the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA), the International Trade Administration (ITA), UNM Rainforest Innovations / InnovateABQ, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, and the New Mexico Economic Development Department.
Through engagements like this, the International Visitor Leadership Program continues to foster global partnerships while highlighting the role of regional innovation hubs in advancing economic prosperity.