ITESO has a close relationship with businesses in the region through two types of extension activities: • Business extension, which fosters ongoing strategic alliances among independent businesses. • Academic extension, which sets up internships in the productive sector. ITESO also has an enterprise incubation program that provides consulting for new business start-ups. The Institutional Program for Managing Innovation and Technology (
Programa Institucional para la Gestión de la Innovación y la Tecnología, PROGINNT), in conjunction with industry and different support organizations such as the Avance Program of the CONACYT, the Fund for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (PYME) of the
Ministry of the Economy, and the State Council for Science and Technology (COECYTJAL), helps regional organizations to increase their competitiveness through proper technological management. A three-phase model is used: technological diagnosis, strategic and technological planning, and administration of technological innovation projects. This program coordinates the Certificate Program in Innovation and Technology Management, which seeks to foment change in the local business culture, and also offers the services of a technology-based enterprise incubator for generating high-tech business initiatives. The model provides consulting services for the new businesses, and focuses on such sectors as food processing, pharmaceuticals, software development and electronic design – all identified as priority areas for the Jalisco economy. ITESO also offers the services of its Center for Business Consulting to help businesses implement mechanisms for managing technology, and a Center for Competitive Intelligence, which does technology and market research including trend studies, forecasts, strategic, market and patent studies, corporate and sectorial profiles, and other services. ==Educational partnerships==