Universities in Ecuador and Chile launch entrepreneurship support programs

Educational institutions in Ecuador and Chile are launching initiatives to support entrepreneurship and business development through academic partnerships.

In Ecuador, the Universidad Católica de Cuenca has introduced Kalary Open 2026. This nine-month pre-incubation and incubation program is designed to guide entrepreneurs from the initial idea stage to their first sales. The initiative includes 120 hours of certified training, online learning, and an in-person leadership camp. The program aims to support approximately 50 entrepreneurs across 15 projects, offering access to specialized mentorship, technological resources, and potential seed capital from partner companies.

In Chile, the Universidad Católica del Maule has formed an alliance with the Sercotec Talca Business Development Center and FOSIS. This collaboration enables Industrial Civil Engineering students to work directly with formalized businesses in Talca and San Clemente. Students will identify operational challenges and propose solutions to foster business growth, while FOSIS entrepreneurs gain access to specialized services from the Sercotec Business Development Center to strengthen their ventures.