Introduction: This article is the product of research on reducing the number of intermediaries by making use of Crowdfunding as an alternative source of low-cost financing, developed at the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, in 2023. Problem: Although the term Crowdfunding is not new in the financial field, it is not very well known by the community, which means that it has not been applied as a recurrent financing alternative for projects or businesses in Colombia. Objective: This article presents a collaborative financing model for higher education institutions in Colombia, mainly for research groups oriented to the generation of new knowledge or spin-offs, with the aim of providing alternatives to classical financing models. Methodology: A literature review was conducted using the PRISMA methodology to identify, evaluate, and synthesize the existing body of knowledge produced by researchers, academics, or professionals. Results: The scope of this literature review encompasses the different types of crowdfunding, including its evolution over time and its inclusion in various economic areas. Additionally, it helps to visualize the level of knowledge about this concept among different university groups. Conclusion: The literature review examines the state of crowdfunding in Latin America, highlighting the lack of research compared to other regions. The impact of crowdfunding in various sectors, including technology, finance, and legislation, is emphasized. Furthermore, the need for theoretical reflection on how crowdfunding affects projects in the Southern Cone region is noted. The objective is to increase understanding and knowledge of crowdfunding among Latin American entrepreneurs and young people.

Introduction: This is the result of a research project that intends to show the importance of including the electrical substation simulator in the course that bears the same name (School of Engineering, Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas). We propose an improved version of the simulator that includes all existing configurations and design modules. Method: Sample surveys were used to find out the students’ perception of the electric substation simulator as a learning methodology and its effect on course repetition figures. A summary of how the software was developed and its validation through a simulation that allows to show the advantages of its use for electrical maneuvers, along with recent modifications, is provided. Results: The potentiality of the tool is shown by the simulation of an electric maneuver. Through the sample surveys, it was obtained that more than 80 % of the students affirm that the simulator was a useful tool for electrical maneuvers, since this topic was very difficult to learn; therefore, it can contribute to reduce course repetition rates. Conclusions: The inclusion of the simulator demonstrated the usefulness of this virtual tool for understanding the operation and maintenance of high and extra high voltage installations (electrical substations). This is framed by the concept of virtual laboratories and is valid for the training of science and engineering students, thus contributing to improve their performance in different subjects.

En los últimos años, la tecnología de la información y la sociedad han sufrido un sin número de cambios a escala mundial. Muchos de estos cambios, han originado el establecimiento de organizaciones que funciona a través de la red, conocidas como Organizaciones Virtuales. Este artículo, presenta una reflexión de los cambios a los que se verán enfrentados los sistemas educativos en su entorno organizacional e institucional al optar por esta nueva forma de organización. El desarrollar e implementar una plataforma orientada al uso de las nuevas tecnologías, no es suficiente para lograr ser competitivos, se requiere de una estructura funcional que defina las reglas y normas de las instituciones virtuales. Se aborda dicho planteamiento desde la teoría del Nuevo Institucionalismo, por ser un enfoque que permite tener visión interdisciplinaria de las organizaciones en la sociedad red.

Introduction: The bibliographic review that is presented is the result of the research “Open Innovation and Knowledge Management” developed at the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, during the year 2019; where the research problem focused on establishing the relationship between Open innovation, Knowledge management and its impact on Industry 4.0, where the exchange of information and knowledge is evident, allowing for the exchange and integration of knowledge and technology in the context of co-creation in Industry 4.0. Objective: To demonstrate a Knowledge management and Industry 4.0 model that consolidates innovation processes in Colombian organizations. Methodology: A systematic mapping of information was developed, focused on the academic databases of the publications that link the concepts of Knowledge management, Industry 4.0 and Open innovation in the period 2016-2019. Conclusions: Innovation is a key factor for organizations, in particular to achieve competitiveness. For this, it is necessary to have inter institutional and intra-institutional knowledge management models, characterized by the decentralized exchange of information in the context of Industry 4.0. Therefore, it is necessary that the governance of an organization understand and facilitate the processes of opening and exchanging knowledge and information. Originality: This model allows for the convergence of different models of administration and organization ma-nagement, which must be co managers of resource management and human talent. Limitations: The model is developed from the literature review and from the experiences presented in these investigations, implying that a second stage is necessary for validation with experts.

Introduction: This research, conducted in 2017 at the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, presents a proposed maturity model applied to entrepreneurial processes in Colombian smes. Aim:  to diagnose the entrepreneurial action in these organizations by assessing five factors: entrepreneur profile, economic and financial aspects, market conditions, knowledge creation and dissemination, and ict solutions, and relate them to various maturity levels proposed by the cmmi (Capability Maturity Model Integration) method. Methods: a) Literature referring to entrepreneurship and maturity models is reviewed; b) the main factors for entrepreneurship processes are identified; c) the maturity model is designed; d) the model is validated by means of the Delphi method and expert judgment; e) the statistical analysis of tests results is carried out; and f) conclusions and improvement actions are proposed to increase the maturity level of the “market conditions” factor, which is elaborated throughout the document. Results: The validated maturity model shows an experts’ acceptance percentage of 83.75%, suggesting some improvements to the proposed levels. Conclusion: This model shows the situation of entrepreneurship processes for already incorporated companies and, through its implementation by an expert, intends to create improvement actions and make entrepreneurship a tool for the organization’s economic growth. Limitations: The proposed model has not been tested in an sme and is currently in its conceptual construction. Originality: A similar model has not been established to assess entrepreneurial processes in companies using the cmmi method.