Our purpose
We promote capabilities for social development through cooperation, technology, and innovation.
Who we are?
Corporación Makaia is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing social development through innovation, technology, and international cooperation.
The Corporación Makaia It is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting social development through innovation, technology, and cooperation.
Our name comes from the Miskito language — an indigenous language of Honduras — and means "to build" or "to make." We work alongside individuals, communities, organizations, and companies to strengthen capacities, build partnerships, and develop solutions that improve quality of life and drive positive change in society.
BeTek, specializes in transforming the human talent within organizations to meet the demands of the digital age through customized training solutions. It combines expertise in advanced technology training, digital transformation consulting, and future-skills development.
We drive
social development
We innovate
to strengthen capabilities
Our purpose
We promote capabilities for social development through cooperation, technology, and innovation.
Our vision
Every person and organization has access to the information and knowledge they need to increase opportunities — enabling them to transform themselves and the world around them.
Our purpose
We promote capabilities for social development through cooperation, technology, and innovation.
Our vision
Every person and organization has access to the information and knowledge they need to increase opportunities — enabling them to transform themselves and the world around them.
How do we do it?
We connect technology, knowledge, and strategic partnerships to develop solutions that strengthen capabilities and generate lasting social impact.
Technology for Social Change
We believe in technology's transformative power to close gaps. We bring technology to individuals and organizations through friendly, proven methodologies that help them build new skills, access knowledge, and unlock opportunities.
Digital
Transformation
We guide social organizations and businesses through their growth and digital transformation processes using innovative methodologies, training, and advisory support that amplify their sustainability and social impact
Resource Mobilization and Partnerships
We strengthen the capacities of organizations to strategically manage and mobilize resources through training, advisory support, and connection to opportunities.
Our values
At Makaia, our values reflect who we are and how we work — principles that inspire us to build solutions with social purpose.
Social commitment: We create self-sustaining actions in pursuit of equity and social transformation. Our programs and projects are always aligned with addressing real needs and building on the existing strengths of the communities we serve.
Innovation and forward thinking: we maintain an open, curious mindset and never dismiss an idea, however unconventional it may seem. We stay one step ahead because we are committed to continuous learning and going beyond the expected.
Diversity and inclusion:
We embrace and amplify the value of working with people from different backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and social, physical, and personal identities. The first step toward social inclusion is the acceptance of and respect for diversity.
Integrity and transparency:
We act with ethical grounding and in alignment with our values and convictions in everything we do.
Global mindset:
We strive to understand the diverse realities, needs, and cultures of the communities and partners we work with to carry out our work.
Our history
We are a non-profit organization dedicated to driving social development through innovation, technology, and international cooperation.
Founded in Colombia, we work with individuals, communities, organizations, and companies to strengthen capabilities, build alliances, and develop solutions that improve quality of life and promote a positive impact in society.
2006
Makaia was founded on June 3, 2006, by three Colombian co-founders — Catalina Escobar, Camilo Mondragón, and María Claudia Camacho. After years of studying and working abroad, they decided to create an organization that could contribute to the country's development by leveraging their collective knowledge, experience, and international networks.
2007 - 2012
We established ourselves as a reference in social entrepreneurship, forging strategic alliances with key national and international actors. We implemented a social entrepreneurship pilot program in the city’s telecenters and contributed to the conceptualization of Medellín as a Smart City. During this period, we launched our first training programs in International Cooperation and and built relationships with organizations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and IREX.
In collaboration with Beyond Access, we worked to position libraries as key drivers in social development. At the same time, we strengthened our training offerings, conducted opportunity mappings for social organizations, and continued collaborating with Colnodo and MinTIC on ICT adoption initiatives,generating meaningful impact across local communities.
2013
In 2013, we launched our cloud-based online platform, designed to address the administrative, internal and external management, collaboration, and knowledge-generation needs of social organizations. This solution provides tools for institutional strengthening, enabling organizations to increase their social impact and operate more efficiently. Its development was made possible through joint efforts with strategic partners such as Colnodo, the Sofía Pérez de Soto Foundation, and the Fraternidad Medellín Foundation, among others. We launched our cloud-based online platform — designed to address the administrative, knowledge management, and collaboration needs of social organizations. The solution offered tools for institutional strengthening, enabling organizations to increase their social impact and operate more efficiently. Its development was made possible through close collaboration with strategic partners including Colnodo, Fundación Sofía Pérez de Soto, and Fundación Fraternidad Medellín.
2014 - 2016
The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) formally recognized Makaia as a registered civil society organization. In partnership with TechSoup, Google, and Microsoft, we launched a software donation program for the social sector. Internally, we strengthened our strategic direction. As we marked our tenth anniversary, we consolidated our international presence and expanded the donation program. We also launched the Beneficiary Management and Indicators module of Nodoká.
2017 - 2020
We explored new opportunities in the Internet of Things (IoT), Open Data, and TV white space connectivity. We also began working with coffee farmers in the Meta region in collaboration with ALO&Partners and Lavazza.
Corporate governance was strengthened through a strategic transition that led to the creation of a dedicated Strategy Directorate. We expanded our work with girls and young women in vulnerable situations, providing technology training opportunities, and launched our Programming & Code School for young people who are neither in education nor employment.
Today, Makaia is recognized nationally and internationally for its expertise in institutional strengthening and for its innovative programs and projects focused on the development of the social sector.
2021 –2024
We advanced the renewal of the Nodoká platform, launching an updated version with a more intuitive and robust user experience, improving information management and opportunity mapping for resource mobilization.
We also consolidated BeTek as a Makaia spin-off, establishing it as an independent business unit — a tech talent accelerator that identifies high-potential individuals, trains them for technology roles, and connects them with employment opportunities.
After several editions held entirely online, Tikso returned to an in-person format, welcoming over 680 attendees at a hybrid event. This edition also saw the launch of the first-ever Partners and Donors Matchmaking Event, strengthening strategic connections and collaboration opportunities across the ecosystem.
Our team
Said Fernando Ali Martinez
Cristina Gaviria
Mariana Roldan
Isabel Cristina Castro Orozco
Katherine Shirley Mejía
Juliana Naranjo
Jorge Llano Ríos
Ana Paulina Vasquez
Jhonatan Alexander Oviedo Contreras
Sandra Lucia Tovar
Maria Gabriela Franqui
Laura Vanessa Donado
Governance
Our organizational structure is designed to ensure transparency and management based on best-in-class governance practices. Beyond our operational team, we are guided by governing and oversight bodies including the Founders' Assembly, the Board of Directors, and their advisors.
Founders' Council
Board of Directors
Clara Inés Restrepo
Carlos Vásquez
Where we work
We develop projects and programs across 27 departments in Colombia and 27 countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
Transparency and accountability
Our annual reports are available here.