The Ministry of Economy and Sercotec announced on April 29 the start of a national call for applications to the Capital Semilla Emprende program, which aims to encourage the creation of formal businesses. The announcement also included new features for the Chile Emprende platform, designed to help entrepreneurs access public resources.
This initiative is part of National Entrepreneurship Day and was presented by Karlfranz Koehler, Undersecretary of Economy and Small Businesses, along with Henry Azurmendi, General Manager of Sercotec. Both officials highlighted efforts to promote business formalization through two main programs: Chile Emprende—a digital portal that centralizes information about public support programs—and the nationwide launch of Capital Semilla Emprende, a competitive grant offering funding and specialized guidance for starting and formalizing businesses.
The announcements took place during a visit by authorities to a micro- and small-business showcase at Sercotec Santiago’s Business Development Center. During this event, Koehler said that business formalization is important because “our idea is to eradicate informal commerce that competes illegitimately. We want to build a society where there is competition but also benefits; that’s why formalization matters to us and we promote any program that supports it.” He encouraged prospective entrepreneurs to use Chile Emprende as “a digital one-stop shop where everyone can learn about more than 177 fiscal benefit programs available through 25 institutions, including Sercotec and Corfo. It’s an excellent platform focused on showing all the different benefits and programs that might help.”
Azurmendi said fostering micro- and small-business development “is in our institution’s DNA. That’s why today, on Entrepreneurship Day, we are announcing the opening of the Capital Semilla fund—which provides crucial support many entrepreneurs need to make their business ideas real. Through this initiative they will have financing, guidance, and specialized advice so they can start their companies.” He added: “We seek to promote consolidation of new micro-entreprises in our country by making business formalization central—because if MiPymes do well, Chile does well.”
The updated Chile Emprende platform brings together all government offerings supporting micro-, small-, medium-sized enterprises (MiPymes), as well as cooperatives. It features sections for finding open calls for funding opportunities across these sectors; personalized searches for support tools; and an economic data portal aimed at helping users make informed decisions.
Among its featured instruments is Capital Semilla Emprende—a grant from Sercotec now open nationwide—that helps new ventures become formally established businesses. This year it expects to benefit 541 entrepreneurs with non-repayable subsidies up to $3.5 million pesos each toward investments in assets or infrastructure upgrades; working capital; management actions; plus technical guidance throughout project implementation—including assistance with tax registration procedures.
Carla González—founder of KetoFree—said: “Capital Semilla was extremely important for us. It enabled us go from idea stage into creating this company—which has since grown enough export products abroad… With resilience—and by using resources in the entrepreneurial ecosystem—it can be done.” Applications remain open until Monday May 13 via www.chileemprende.gob.cl.
