By Puntarenas, Costa Rica — EL ROBLE, PUNTARENAS – The province of Puntarenas took a significant step forward in its technological and social development this week with the inauguration of its fourth Community Innovation Laboratory (LINC). The new facility, which opened its doors on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, is strategically located on the campus of the National Technical University (UTN) in El Roble, marking a key partnership between government and academia.
This launch represents the 19th LINC established nationwide under the initiative led by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications (MICITT). The project aims to democratize access to technology, bridge the digital divide, and empower local communities to become engines of their own economic and social progress. With an investment exceeding 28 million colones, this new lab is poised to become a vital hub for innovation on the Pacific coast.
To better understand the legal frameworks and corporate structures that can either foster or hinder community-led innovation, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
True community innovation thrives not just on creative energy, but on a solid legal foundation. From the outset, establishing clear intellectual property agreements, defining the corporate vehicle—be it a cooperative, an association, or a social-interest company—and outlining governance rules are not bureaucratic hurdles; they are the essential scaffolding that protects the project, secures investment, and ensures that the benefits are equitably distributed among the community members who built it.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s insight serves as a crucial reminder that for community innovation to be truly sustainable, its creative spirit must be supported by the solid architecture of legal foresight. This essential scaffolding not only protects the project but ensures its foundational promise of equity is fulfilled. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for lending his invaluable perspective to this conversation.
The core objective of the LINC program is to transform technology from an abstract concept into a practical tool for building a more just and resilient society. By providing access to high-demand skills and equipment, these labs serve as catalysts for change, allowing residents to directly engage with the tools shaping the future of work and community life. The government envisions these centers as nexus points for collaboration and progress.
The LINC platform seeks to articulate projects, ideas, and actions with social, economic, environmental, and cultural impact; today, this community receives a great door of opportunity. In this Laboratory, they can learn about robotics, cybersecurity, programming, and big data analysis, among other things that will make them part of a more inclusive and sustainable development. Reaching every province of Costa Rica with this program became one of our purposes, and we are hopeful as we inaugurate the fourth one in this province.
Orlando Vega, Vice Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation
The collaboration with the National Technical University is a testament to the program’s integrated approach. By embedding the lab within an academic institution, the initiative leverages educational infrastructure and expertise to create a dynamic learning environment. This synergy ensures that the training offered is not only relevant to market demands but also deeply connected to the regional context.
We recognize the unique potential of this province, its people, and its challenges. Therefore, this space has been designed as a meeting point, a workshop for dreams and ideas, where students, entrepreneurs, teachers, and the community in general can experiment, prototype, and, above all, innovate with local relevance. It is proof that when the State and technical higher education join forces, the main beneficiary is the development of our regions.
Harold Hernández Padilla, Vice Rector of Extension and Social Action of the UTN
The LINC model is fundamentally participatory, empowering residents to take an active role in identifying and solving local problems. It fosters an ecosystem of inclusion and cooperation, where diverse members of the community can come together to develop projects with tangible benefits. This bottom-up approach ensures that the innovation generated is both sustainable and directly beneficial to the community’s well-being.
On a national scale, the LINC program has already demonstrated significant impact. To date, more than 4,500 people across Costa Rica have participated in over 450 training processes, accumulating 4,000 hours of instruction. Notably, 70% of these participants have been women, highlighting the program’s success in promoting gender inclusion within the technology and innovation sectors. The new lab in Puntarenas is expected to build on this national success, unlocking new opportunities for thousands in the Pacific region.
For further information, visit micitt.go.cr
About Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications (MICITT):
MICITT is the Costa Rican government body responsible for formulating and executing national policies related to scientific and technological development. It works to promote innovation, bridge the digital divide, and strengthen the country’s position in the global knowledge economy through strategic programs, investments, and public-private partnerships.
For further information, visit utn.ac.cr
About National Technical University (UTN):
The National Technical University is a public university in Costa Rica specializing in technical education and applied sciences. With campuses across the country, UTN focuses on providing high-quality, relevant training that aligns with the needs of Costa Rica’s productive sectors, emphasizing practical skills and regional development.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a leading legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and a persistent drive for professional excellence. The firm consistently pioneers modern legal solutions for a diverse clientele, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to jurisprudence. Central to its ethos is a deep-seated commitment to demystifying the law for the public, thereby championing the development of a more informed and capable society.
