Andes Institute for Technology Transfer

Technology transforms industries. Industries transform cities. Technology transfer transforms the environment.

From mining waste, wealth is born — and the land breathes again.

"Del residuo minero nace riqueza — y la tierra vuelve a respirar."

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The Gap

Why the Institute exists

Almost every country has talented people and promising ideas. Few consistently transform scientific discoveries into globally competitive industries — not for lack of talent, but for lack of an effective mechanism to move technology from laboratory to industry.

The Andes Institute for Technology Transfer was built to provide that mechanism: an international platform connecting the innovation ecosystems of Colombia, China, and the United States, established in Medellín and oriented toward Latin America.

We transform proven technologies into companies, companies into industries, and industries into lasting economic value.

Global Foundation

Connecting three innovation ecosystems.

🇨🇳

China

National innovation centers including Zhongguancun and Optics Valley, a network of 10,000+ incubators and hundreds of thousands of technology enterprises, and deep engineering and manufacturing capability at scale.

🇺🇸

United States

Academic and research resources, established technology commercialization systems, venture capital networks, and Miami's position as a gateway to Latin America.

🇨🇴

Colombia

Medellín's growing innovation ecosystem, strong local talent, government support for technology-driven development, and a strategic location serving all of Latin America.

Together, these three ecosystems form a resource base uncommon among technology transfer institutions in the region.

The Model

A four-pillar system — from innovation engine to industry.

01

CRC Innovation System

The intellectual and technological engine — scientific principles, analytical methods, and engineering practice built over decades.

02

Industrial Technologies

Research and engineering capability converted into practical applications, adapted to local resources, regulation, and markets.

03

Enterprise Incubation

Companies built around mature technology — from IP strategy and commercialization planning to supply-chain coordination.

04

Strategic Ecosystem

Government, universities, mine owners, manufacturers, and investors — the relationships that let industries grow and endure.

Partnership Network

Government support and industrial network.

Confirmed Partner

ACI Medellín

Partnering with ACI Medellín, leveraging the agency's platform to advance high-quality industrial technologies aligned with Colombia's development priorities.

In Discussion

Ruta N Science Park

In discussion with Ruta N about integrating into Medellín's broader science and technology ecosystem.

Core Team

A small team with an outsized network.

A technology-transfer team with government-level connections, academic depth, forty years of combined industry experience, and trans-Pacific reach — small in number, but connected to China's incubation industry and leading academic and capital resources in the US.

Zhenjun Yan

PRESIDENT · CHIEF SCIENTIST

China's first PhD in science incubation, IASP China president, former MOST Torch Center and Beijing Municipal People's Congress official.

Dan Zhou, Ph.D.

EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT · COLOMBIA CHIEF REPRESENTATIVE

Former Professor based in Medellín, leads all Latin America on-site operations; cross-border venture capital expert with an extensive US investor network.

Wanli Xiong, Ph.D.

US CHIEF REPRESENTATIVE · SENIOR INDUSTRY ADVISOR

Harvard University background, senior industrial technology expert, leads North American technology and industry partnerships.

Wei Gong

FOUNDER · PRESIDENT EMERITUS

Co-founder of China's tech incubation industry, 40+ years of experience, creator of the CRC Innovation System.

Wei Gong (Jr.)

CO-FOUNDER · CHIEF ENGINEER

Computer science background from Wuhan University of Technology, legal representative of Carbon Valley, primary inventor of core CRC technologies, leads all engineering implementation.

Gao Lü

INVESTMENT PARTNER

US-educated, majority shareholder of Lingshu Incubator, leads US capital market connections and strategic investment.

The Technology Partner

Carbon Valley Technology — proven at commercial scale in China.

Mr. Wei Gong, founder of Carbon Valley Technology

Mr. Wei Gong

Founder, Carbon Valley Technology

Known as the father of high-tech incubation in China, Wei Gong started the country's first business incubator in 1987 and later served as president of the China Incubation Association, a network spanning 16,000 members and 400,000 startups. In 2014 he received Belgium's Leopold Knight Medal for contributions to high-tech incubation.

Coal-based solid waste mountain near Datong, China

A coal-based solid waste mountain near Datong, China's "Coal Capital" — where Carbon Valley's team spent the next eight years developing the process now proposed for Antioquia.

In 2018, the city of Datong invited Wei Gong's team to address its coal waste legacy. He brought over 30 experts in material science, automation, and business — and the team has worked on the problem ever since.

40+Companies created
40+Patents held
1,000,000+Tons of coal waste upcycled

Commercial deployments include China Railway 20th Bureau Group, Shanxi Road and Bridge Construction Group, and Liuyang City Excellent Cement, among others.

First Industrial Initiative

Coal waste upcycling, Antioquia, Colombia

A proposed pilot near Medellín exploring the conversion of coal-based industrial waste — primarily coal gangue — into high-value industrial products, developed in partnership with Chinese industrial solid-waste processing expertise.

Proposed site: Amagá District, southwestern Antioquia — 92,000 m² total, 51,000 m² built area.

Pilot & feasibility stage

From mining waste, wealth is born — and the land breathes again.

"Del residuo minero nace riqueza — y la tierra vuelve a respirar."