Unlike the two previous editions, in 2018 and 2019, where a limited number of quotas were defined, in this edition and with the objective of giving the opportunity to the greatest number of entrepreneurs to participate, the application period was extended for two weeks, between September 28 and October 11.
“We are very pleased with the high participation in this third call and with having been able to once again reach all regions of Chile. The high number of applications shows that in Chile there is a great entrepreneurial force that is looking for opportunities today more than ever, and at the Luksic Foundation we will continue to seek to provide spaces for all these entrepreneurs,” said Andrónico Luksic, founder of the Impulso Chileno program.
High participation of women and in regions
Of the 18,663 applications, the high participation of women stood out with 60%, while that of men was 40%. Another interesting figure is that 73% of the applicants were entrepreneurs from the regions. The Metropolitan Region had 5,023 applications, which translates into 27% of the total number of participants. The next regions with the most applicants are: Valparaíso (9%), La Araucanía (8%), Maule (7.6%) and Los Lagos (7.6%).
Although in this third edition of the competition, entrepreneurs were required to apply with a formalized business -with the start of activities in the first activities before the Servicio de Impuestos Internos – there was no limit on the type of business. Of the more than 18,000 applicants, 26% were food businesses and 20% retail businesses.
100 winners
During the second week of December, the 100 winners of the third version of Impulso Chileno will be announced. Each of the finalists will receive between $3 and $5 million chilean pesos, depending on their performance in the application. In addition, all will receive academic support through classes and training for 6 months with the School of Administration of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and personalized support with mentors from Corporación Simon de Cyrene, an expert in entrepreneurship.
“Our goal is to give concrete and comprehensive support to the 100 winners of this third edition of Impulso Chileno, as we have already done with the 120 winners of previous years. We hope that with the financing and academic accompaniment the winning businesses will be able to boost their growth,” commented Paola Luksic, president of the Luksic Foundation.
The 400 semi-finalists will be announced on October 23 through the contest’s networks and the website www.impulsochileno.cl.