Red Uruguay Emprendedor

Red Uruguay Emprendedor is a network of institutions that work to promote entrepreneurship and foster collaboration between entrepreneurial ecosystem actors across Uruguay.
What are the main aims and objectives?

The network seeks to be the voice of the Uruguayan entrepreneurial ecosystem, working to become a national and international reference on entrepreneurship issues. Its main objectives are to develop and enhance the capabilities and impact of its member institutions through coordinating joint projects and participating in consultative forums. Red Uruguay Emprendedor also aims to develop actions with national scope, consolidate a strong network, and incorporate a territorial approach by detecting opportunities and facilitating the development of local capacities. 

How does the program work?

The network operates on five fundamental principles: community, professionalization, global vision, proactivity, and systematization. Through these objectives and principles, Red Uruguay Emprendedor strives to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Uruguay and provide comprehensive support to entrepreneurs across the country. The organization is structured as a collaborative network that brings together various institutions to support entrepreneurship in Uruguay:

  1. Coordination by ANDE: The network is coordinated by the Agencia Nacional de Desarrollo (ANDE), which provides strategic direction and ensures that the network's activities align with national development objectives.
  2. Member Institutions: The network comprises a diverse array of member institutions, including educational entities, government agencies, private sector organizations, and non-profits. These members collaborate on projects and initiatives to support entrepreneurship.
  3. Regional Focus: To ensure a national presence, the network is structured to engage with regional entities across Uruguay. This helps in addressing local entrepreneurial needs and reducing the concentration of activities solely in Montevideo.
  4. Working Groups and Committees: Within the network, there may be specialized working groups or committees focused on specific areas such as innovation, capacity building, or youth entrepreneurship. These groups help in developing targeted strategies and projects.
  5. Collaborative Projects: The network is structured to facilitate joint projects and initiatives among its members. This collaborative approach leverages the strengths and resources of different institutions to achieve common goals.
  6. Knowledge Sharing Platforms: Red Uruguay Emprendedor likely has mechanisms for knowledge sharing and communication among its members, such as workshops, seminars, and online platforms, to disseminate best practices and innovations.

A significant focus is placed on promoting entrepreneurship among young people, encouraging them to explore entrepreneurial opportunities and develop their business ideas. Red Uruguay Emprendedor fosters links between youth entrepreneurs and more established business networks through its diverse membership and collaborative approach. The network includes youth-focused organizations like DESEM Jóvenes Emprendedores (JA Uruguay), Cámara Internacional de Jóvenes (JCI), and the Instituto Nacional de la Juventud, alongside more established institutions like chambers of commerce, universities, and government agencies. This diverse membership allows for natural connections between young entrepreneurs and experienced business networks. 

The network's emphasis on coordinating joint projects, participating in consultative forums, and sharing experiences creates opportunities for youth to interact with and learn from established business leaders. Additionally, Red Uruguay Emprendedor's national scope and commitment to territorial development help ensure that these connections are fostered not just in major cities, but across different regions of Uruguay. By bringing together various stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the network creates a platform where young entrepreneurs can access mentorship, resources, and potential partnerships with more established businesses.

What is the overall cost?

There is no available information on the cost of running Red Uruguay Emprendedor.

How was it implemented?

Red Uruguay Emprendedor has evolved through several stages since its inception in 2007. The network's origins can be traced back to the Programa Emprender (Entrepreneurship Program), which was created by a collaboration between the Multilateral Investment Fund (FOMIN), the National Development Corporation (CND), the Technological Laboratory of Uruguay (LATU), and Prosperitas Capital Partners. The primary goal of this program was to foster a culture of high-value entrepreneurship by promoting a network of institutions supporting entrepreneurs.

As the ecosystem's needs changed and new funding became available, the network transitioned into the Red de Apoyo a Futuros Empresarios (RAFE) or Network of Support for Future Entrepreneurs. This iteration was coordinated by the National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII) and focused on supporting initiatives involving the commercialization of products or services that could be inserted into value chains with differential added value.

In 2018, RAFE entered a new phase under the coordination of the National Development Agency (ANDE). During this period, the network worked on strengthening its organization, governance, and challenges, which were consolidated into an organizational manual.

Finally, in 2020, after a process of maturity and institutional belonging, the network underwent an identity change and adopted the name Red Uruguay Emprendedor. This change consolidated a country-level brand representing the potential of the Uruguayan entrepreneurial ecosystem in all its dimensions. The evolution to Red Uruguay Emprendedor represents the culmination of years of development and collaboration among various institutions committed to fostering entrepreneurship in Uruguay.

As of 2024, the network has 113 member organizations listed here

What impact has been measured?

There is no available information about the impact of Red Uruguay Emprendedor

Notes + Additional Context

Manual de la Red URUGUAY EMPRENDEDOR is an official manual for the network published by ANDE (Agencia Nacional de Desarrollo). It provides guidance on the purpose, objectives, and benefits of being part of the network.

CURATED BY

Research Associate
Global Entrepreneurship Network
United Kingdom