AvianGuard represents not just a scientific innovation, but a viable commercial solution addressing a critical gap in Ecuador's poultry industry. Our entrepreneurship journey has involved navigating intellectual property challenges, refining our business model, and securing international recognition for our value proposition.
Overview
Transforming innovation into commercial success
Innovation Ecosystem Engagement
Building partnerships with accelerators and innovation centers
1.1 National: i3LAB - ESPOL
About i3LAB: i3LAB is ESPOL's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, supporting the transformation of university research into market-ready solutions through their spin-off acceleration programs.
Initial Challenge: Multi-University IP Complexity
When we first presented AvianGuard to Karina Sánchez at i3LAB's IdeaCamp Science & Technology program, we encountered a significant barrier:
"How do you handle intellectual property when your team spans multiple universities (ESPOL, USFQ, UCE)?"
Traditional spin-off programs assume IP ownership by a single institution. Our collaborative, multi-university structure created legal complexity:
- Who holds ownership rights?
- How are contributions weighted?
- What if one institution doesn't agree to license?
- Can we create a viable company without unified IP?
Our Strategic Solution: Negotiated Licensing Framework
After extensive consultation with i3LAB and legal advisors, we developed a hybrid licensing strategy:
Core Patent Strategy:
- Patent the essential technology: Specific antigen constructs, encapsulation formulations, and production methods
- File jointly through inter-institutional agreement with proportional ownership based on contribution
- Exclusive licensing to the spin-off company with royalty distribution
Open Science Elements:
- Release basic research findings under OpenMTA (Open Material Transfer Agreement)
- Share educational materials and protocols with academic community
- Publish foundational science while protecting commercial applications
Why This Works:
- Attracts investment: Clear IP ownership and licensing terms
- Enables commercialization: Spin-off can operate with legal certainty
- Maintains collaboration: Universities retain research rights
- Supports open science: Non-commercial use remains accessible
Current Status with i3LAB: We're in active negotiation to formalize inter-institutional agreements that will allow participation in future acceleration programs.
1.2 International: GRIDX Latam Student Challenge
About GRIDX: GRIDX is an Argentine venture capital fund focused on early-stage Latin American startups in biotechnology, healthcare, and deep tech. Their Latam Student Challenge identifies and mentors promising student-led innovations across the region.
Our Participation:
In September 2025, we presented AvianGuard at the GRIDX Latam Student Challenge, competing against student teams from across Latin America.
Competition Results: Winner - Best Pitch and Project
What We Presented:
- Market problem: H5N1 threat and endemic disease burden in Latin American poultry
- Dual-immunity solution: Active (probiotic vaccine) + Passive (cyclobodies)
- Go-to-market strategy: Targeting Ecuador first, scalable regionally
- Competitive advantage: Academic-backed, locally-adapted, affordable
- Traction: Industry consultations with AVISID and PRONACA
Judge Feedback Highlights:
- Strong technical innovation with clear commercial path
- Addressing real regional problem with significant market
- Impressive stakeholder engagement and market validation
- Scalable model beyond Ecuador to other Latin American countries
Value Proposition & Business Model
How AvianGuard creates value for different stakeholders
Core Value Proposition
AvianGuard delivers targeted value to each stakeholder in Ecuador's poultry ecosystem
Business Model Canvas
Our comprehensive business model addresses all key components for sustainable growth
Market Analysis & Trends
Understanding Ecuador's poultry industry landscape
Market Size
Ecuador's poultry sector produces:
- 495,000 tonnes of chicken meat annually
- 263 million birds raised per year
- 3.8 billion eggs produced annually
- $800 million in annual revenue
Customer Segmentation
Key Market Trends
Regulatory Pathway & Approval Strategy
Navigating Ecuador's veterinary product regulations
Product Classification
AvianGuard operates in two regulatory categories:
1. Active Immunity Component (Probiotic Vaccine):
- Classification: Veterinary biological product
- Regulator: AGROCALIDAD (Ecuador's agricultural quality agency)
- Pathway: Demonstrates safety, efficacy, and consistency of production
2. Passive Immunity Component (Cyclobodies):
- Classification: Veterinary pharmaceutical OR feed additive
- Regulator: AGROCALIDAD
- Pathway: Novel approach may require precedent-setting discussions
Approval Timeline Estimate
Strategic Considerations
Accelerating Approval:
- GRAS status for L. lactis: Already recognized as safe probiotic
- Emergency use: H5N1 outbreak could trigger expedited pathways
- Parallel processing: Submit components independently
Risk Mitigation:
- Parallel development: Pursue both components independently
- Alternative formats: Develop simpler formulations if complex approval stalls
- International precedent: Reference approvals from other jurisdictions
Financial Projections & Investment Needs
Funding strategy and revenue forecasts
Development Stage Funding
Revenue Projections
Assumptions:
- Target 5% market penetration in Year 3
- Pricing: $0.15-0.25 per bird treated
- Ecuador baseline: 263M birds annually
Path to Profitability: Year 3-4 with positive unit economics from Year 2
Next Steps & Milestones
Our roadmap from laboratory to market
Immediate (2025)
- Finalize inter-university IP agreements with i3LAB support
- Complete laboratory optimization of encapsulation
- Participate in GRIDX Ignite Program 2026
- Initiate regulatory pre-consultation with AGROCALIDAD
Near-term (2026)
- Secure seed funding ($250K target from GRIDX + co-investors)
- Launch pilot trials with partner farms
- Establish production partnerships
- Build technical support infrastructure
Medium-term (2027-2028)
- Complete regulatory approval process
- Commercial launch in Ecuador
- Expand to neighboring markets (Peru, Colombia)
- Series A fundraising for regional expansion
From Lab to Market
Positioning AvianGuard for commercial success
AvianGuard's entrepreneurship journey demonstrates that cutting-edge biotechnology can address real-world agricultural challenges while building a sustainable business. Through:
- Strategic IP management: Navigating multi-university collaboration
- Market validation: Industry partnerships and stakeholder engagement
- International recognition: GRIDX competition win and Ignite Program invitation
- Clear commercialization path: Regulatory strategy and financial planning
We're positioned to transform AvianGuard from a promising research project into a venture-backed company serving Latin America's poultry industry—proving that university innovation can drive both scientific advancement and commercial success.