Chile launches innovation funding for entrepreneurs and students

On May 5 2026, the Regional Development Committee of Arica and Parinacota opened three CORFO‑backed calls – Innova Región, Viraliza Formación and Viraliza Eventos – with a combined budget of 452.5 million Chilean pesos. The programmes aim to support individual projects and ecosystem activities in tourism, agriculture, logistics and livestock, offering up to 60 million pesos per project for Innova Región, 100 million for high‑profile events and 30 million for training, with application deadlines on May 26 and June 3.

Copec and ForoInnovación have also launched the "Desafío Futuro Copec Avonni" challenge for undergraduate students across Chile. Teams of two to five may apply until May 30 for up to US$15,000 in concept‑testing funds and an international immersion experience. The competition focuses on climate resilience, digital work and quality‑of‑life solutions, building on a first edition that received nearly 400 submissions.