Proceedings of the First International Conference – MIT LIFT Lab Research Fest - South America: Empowering the foundations of the Latin American economy to tackle regional and global challenges

This volume compiles the proceedings of the First International Conference MIT LIFT Lab Research Fest – South America, held from April 24 to 26, 2025, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Organized by the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA) and the MIT Low-Income Firms Transformation (LIFT) Lab, the event convened scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss strategies for strengthening micro and small enterprises (MSEs), a cornerstone of Latin America’s economic and social fabric. The work includes extended abstracts of research and applied projects focused on innovation, operational improvement, and resilience in MSEs, with contributions from students, researchers and doctoral candidates across South America and the broader Latin American region. The selected works showcase empirical studies, field-based interventions, and policy analyses that address the challenges faced by these enterprises in the context of global crises, digital transformation, and changing market demands. The publication reflects the joint commitment of MIT LIFT Lab and ITBA’s Directorate of Research in Economic Sciences, Society, and Management to promote applied research, knowledge exchange, and regional collaboration, with the aim of fostering inclusive growth and sustainable development in Latin America.