From classroom to market. The academic-business alliance redrawing the economic landscape of México and the United States
- Editorial
- Jun 23
- 3 min read
At the intersection of knowledge and economic development, the collaboration between universities and businesses has evolved from an aspirational goal to a strategic imperative. In both Mexico and the United States, innovation ecosystems are being redefined through partnerships that connect university laboratories with production lines—driving technological solutions and fostering a new growth paradigm.
In 2024, this synergy made significant strides. In Mexico, 41% of public universities signed partnership agreements with the private sector, a 12% increase compared to 2022, according to data from ANUIES. In the United States, the National Science Board reported that 58% of academic institutions strengthened ties with businesses, particularly in fields such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and renewable energy. This trend reflects not only a shift in institutional priorities, but also a structural transformation in how economically valuable knowledge is produced.
The border region between the two countries has become a key epicenter of this model. Initiatives like the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) partnering with aerospace companies in Chihuahua, or the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León working alongside biotech firms in McAllen, demonstrate that binational human capital can become a catalyst for more sophisticated value chains. In 2024, joint investment in applied research projects between universities and businesses surpassed $2.5 billion along the Texas–Nuevo León–Coahuila corridor—an 18% increase from the previous year.
One of the most dynamic sectors has been smart manufacturing. Universities such as Tecnológico de Monterrey and MIT have collaborated on shared technology transfer models, resulting in binational patents and science-based incubators that are now producing industrial automation solutions tailored to nearshoring strategies. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, more than 34% of newly issued patents in border economic zones in 2024 stemmed from university-industry collaboration.
Yet this landscape is not without its challenges. In Mexico, the primary obstacle remains insufficient public funding for research. Despite increased private investment, national R&D expenditure still accounts for just 0.3% of GDP—well below the OECD average. In contrast, the U.S. maintains a level near 3%, creating a structural gap that hinders balanced competition. Regulatory hurdles in both countries also limit agility in filing joint patents, scaling innovation projects, and launching impactful cross-border tech spin-offs.
Decentralization presents another pending opportunity. While most partnerships are concentrated in hubs like Mexico City, Monterrey, Boston, and Silicon Valley, mid-size and rural regions have yet to benefit from this dynamic. State universities with strong potential in areas such as Sonora, Zacatecas, or the Rio Grande Valley need to be more deeply integrated into these networks to prevent a new concentration of knowledge-based wealth.
Looking ahead to 2025, the key challenge will be to consolidate a binational institutional framework that supports long-term collaboration. A coordinated strategy between local governments, national agencies, and innovation centers is essential to standardize university-business engagement protocols, offer tax incentives to companies investing in joint research, and promote digital platforms that connect academic and industrial stakeholders. In a world where artificial intelligence, the energy transition, and climate resilience are economic drivers, university talent must not remain confined to classrooms disconnected from the real world.
If Mexico and the United States aim to preserve economic leadership in the hemisphere, they must invest in a model where knowledge flows as freely as trade. Only then can they transition from cost-based competitiveness to an economy built on shared intelligence.
Written by: Editorial
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