The Luksic Foundation and Caja Los Andes Launch a Call for Proposals for Entrepreneurs Over 50
This is the second edition of “Impulso Senior,” a program that will provide semi-industrial machinery and digitalization tools to strengthen businesses led by experienced individuals. Applications Applications will be open until Monday, March 16, at fundacionluksic.cl and cajalosandes.cl.
Hands that have worked for decades. Gray hair that symbolizes wisdom, learning, and reinvention. Accumulated experience that isn’t found in books but that sustains businesses, families, and entire communities. In Chile, millions of people over the age of 50 continue to start businesses, innovate, and contribute to the country’s development.
This contribution becomes even more significant in light of the aging population. According to data from the latest census, a significant percentage of Chileans are 50 years of age or older, representing 31.6% (2.9 million workers) of the workforce and of both the informal and formal entrepreneurial sectors. This demographic shift presents new challenges and opportunities for empowering this segment.
In light of this situation, the Luksic Foundation and Caja Los Andes are joining forces to support experienced entrepreneurs, sharing a vision of driving Chile’s development by helping people reach their full potential. Within this framework, they are jointly launching the second edition of Impulso Senior, a program aimed at people over 50, significantly expanding its reach from 400 to 765 beneficiaries, who will receive semi-industrial machinery to professionalize their production processes, as well as digitalization tools.
Impulso Senior is aimed at entrepreneurs over the age of 50 with businesses registered in the first category with the Internal Revenue Service (SII)—either as an individual or a legal entity—and with monthly sales exceeding $100,000. Requirements for applying include being a Chilean citizen or a foreigner with duly documented permanent residency and a registered address in Chile; being the owner or majority partner of the business; and registering on the Luksic Foundation’s La Brújula del Emprendedor platform.
The initiative aims to bring in more experienced entrepreneurs who want to strengthen or reinvent their businesses but face barriers to accessing productive capital that limit their growth. Cristián Schalper, Director of Entrepreneurship at the Luksic Foundation, highlights the importance of supporting this segment: “We have confidence in the talent and capabilities of Chile’s entrepreneurs, and we’ve seen many examples of men and women over 50 who are full of energy, talent, and passion for what they do. That’s why, with this call for proposals, we’re inviting them to think big so they can continue growing their businesses.”
“Turning 50 marks the beginning of a new phase of productivity. Today, experienced individuals are at a pivotal moment to start new ventures and reinvent themselves. At Caja Los Andes, more than 34% of our members belong to this segment, which is seeking new avenues for growth. Although we have been promoting wellness tools throughout the life cycle for years, the new demographic reality challenges us to take it a step further. This partnership with the Luksic Foundation allows us to transform that guidance into concrete productive support to strengthen their businesses,” says Paulina Las Heras, commercial manager at Caja Los Andes.
Ulises Rojas, a 60-year-old entrepreneur from the municipality of Quilicura, was one of the winners of the first edition of the Luksic Foundation’s Impulso Senior program in 2025. With more than 40 years of experience as a woodcarver, he crafts pictures, tables, and mirrors, and also leads workshops where he shares his craft. Thanks to the program, he received an industrial table saw that allowed him to take his carpentry work to a professional level. On Instagram, through @caminosdelroble, he has gathered more than 15,000 followers. Regarding the recognition, he proudly notes: “They saw a future in me. Supporting senior entrepreneurs is something very valuable. It allows us to keep contributing, keep creating, and that gives new value to our experience.”
The applications will be open until Monday, March 16, via an online form available at www.fundacionluksic.cl and www.cajalosandes.cl; and on the social media accounts of both organizations, informative and helpful content regarding the application process will be posted.
