In the commune of Puerto Varas and with Corfo Los Lagos within the framework of the Viraliza instrument, the leadership and access to capital program for entrepreneurs in the region was launched, which has been promoted as an entrepreneurship hub and a hub for grassroots companies. technological science but with a significant gender gap in terms of business leadership and access to capital raising. Of a universe of 57 companies analyzed by Endeavor, only 25% are led by women and 21% of these have managed to obtain external financing, compared to 44% of companies led by men.
In this way, the program aims to provide essential tools for the creation and execution of a solid strategic growth plan, while working to strengthen and consolidate the entrepreneurial culture among the participants.
Gabriel Pérez, regional director of Corfo Los Lagos highlighted the value that Corfo gives to ventures led by women, pointing out that “this is what they prove to be, in fact, women lead ventures and businesses that prove to be more successful, more relevant in terms of the impact they generate in their communities. The region requires this type of venture since economic independence, we know, is an element that contributes to breaking the scourge of violence against women. Therefore, the instruments of entrepreneurship management, in terms of the ecosystem submanagement that favor access, information, networks, knowledge that also enable these ventures to have better opportunities for success, are undoubtedly a contribution to all this. evidence, this is an opportunity to generate networks, access to contacts that later prove to be key in the launch of an ecosystem and a particular venture, it is evidence that is necessary for the success of ventures and therefore , having this instance of meeting, generating networks, articulating between actors and in this case, actors, are vital,” he noted.
Camila Postigo, selection and growth manager at Endeavor Chile explained that “this program is aimed at only female entrepreneurs, which is our focus and those we want to promote. There were 160 applications, of which 40 were selected for this instance from different industries, retail, agriculture, the two most represented sectors, we sought to encourage them to think big, to know all the options for raising capital that there are, and that help them accelerate their growth, whether in Chile, but also outside of Chile. He highlighted that “programs like these achieve a change in mentality, thinking beyond the border of what one knows, having people who question everything you are doing, makes you think that perhaps you can enter new industries, in the “The region highlights the commitment and passion for what they do and is driven by a purpose that is generally closely linked to the area and how they want to bring this to other parts of the world.”
There is a conviction that female entrepreneurs in Los Lagos have the potential to grow rapidly to the extent that they are brought closer to value networks and training that allows them to expand their business vision. That is why through programs like these they are encouraged to think big and grow beyond their territory.
Yancarla Gandulfo, from KUBU, an Ecological Products company, is one of the 40 selected companies, highlighting that “today we are launching the Idea Capital program, sponsored by Corfo and led by Endeavor. We have met the entire team of participating women, it has been incredible to be able to identify the same reasons, motives, we all want to grow, we all want to raise funds, we all want to be seen, and also the opportunity to have inspirations and teachers to help us to look differently, to have new ideas, and above all to focus on how to grow, how to make money, and how to ensure that the business is capitalized and visible to many people”
To learn about these and other initiatives, write to us at [email protected] or check our social networks like @corfoloslagos
