CONTEXT:
Reto Emprendedor adresses early-stage startups' needs for seed capital and support, in order to launch their products or services to the market. With the intervention of the program and what it offers (seed capital, training, mentorship and connections), the Ministry hopes that entrepreneurs have the right skills and mindset to better develop their current or future venture.
SUPPORT MECHANISM:
The program is designed to connect local businesses and support organizations with the purpose of developing local entrepreneurial ecosystems, beyond supporting individual entrepreneurs. This model helps us develop capacities by training mentors in the territories via a standard entrepreneurship toolkit.
IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES:
- Lead coordinator: Ministry of Industry, Commerce & MSMEs (MICM)
- Local Chambers of Commerce and Production
- Universities
- City Council
- Local Government Agencies
- Local NGOs
ELIGIBILITY:
Anyone over 18 years old who has a concept prototype or startup of less than 3 years of operations.
Timeline:
There is no specific timeline defined for the program. Any local organization can start the process of bringing the program to their territory by asking to the Ministry to execute it for their entrepreneurs. This organization then becomes the lead coordinator of the program and must obtain the support of another organization in the territory.
MONITORING + EVALUATION METHODS
Baseline evaluation of the entreprenurs at the start and the end of the program.
CHALLENGES + LESSONS TO DATE:
The main challenge is to be able to align the agenda and create a network of private and public organizations that works towards building a local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
KEY ADVISOR(S) OR LEADER(S):
Ministry of Industry, Commerce & MSMEs.
- Jose M. Checo, Entrepreneurship Director, Entrepreneurship Director, Ministry of Industry, Commerce & MSMEs (MICM)
- Rubi R. Breton, Head of Innovative Businesses, Entrepreneurship Director, MICM
- Alan Fernandez, Head of Entrepreneurial Mindset Development, MICM
- Patricia Acosta, Head of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, MICM
