There are many reasons why travelers should visit Chile, however shifting there’s a entire completely different dialog. The South American nation has been quietly bankrolling American entrepreneurs who transfer to this nation by way of the aptly named Begin-Up Chile program.
Whereas most individuals affiliate Chile with beautiful Andean landscapes and world-class wine, the nation has remodeled itself into what locals name “Chilecon Valley” — a startup ecosystem that pays foreigners to carry their enterprise concepts south of the equator.
The numbers inform a compelling story: over 2,300 start-ups from 88 completely different nationalities have already taken the plunge. With equity-free funding starting from $13,000 to $97,000 (relying on enterprise stage), a one-year visa, and nil obligation to surrender firm shares, shifting to this nation has turn into the entrepreneurial equal of discovering cash within the sofa cushions — besides the sofa is a complete nation.
Let us take a look at what an American with an entrepreneurial thoughts must reap the benefits of this chance and break down every of the grants accessible.

Associated
Top 10 Countries That U.S. Expats Moved To In 2023
Which nations do Individuals transfer to essentially the most? A examine reveals the highest nations US expats immigrated to in 2023!
Money For Creativity: The BUILD Program
Early-stage entrepreneurs can get $13,000 only for displaying up with good concepts
Usually, Chile is not on the record of nations which might be easiest for Americans to immigrate to, however this program makes it an exception. Nascent enterprise concepts typically die on the vine as a result of an absence of funding, however Chile’s BUILD program is actually making use of a jump-start to small enterprise engines.
This four-month accelerator slings roughly $13,000 (CLP $10M) to early-stage entrepreneurs, with the potential of an additional $6,000 (CLP $5M) for many who impress. This system has a refreshingly progressive requirement that might make Silicon Valley blush — no less than 50% of chosen startups should have girls on the helm.
The BUILD program runs the entrepreneurial model of velocity courting twice a 12 months, deciding on 3% of startups that apply per cycle. The principles are simple: founders should be adults (18+), deal with the startup like a correct job (full-time), and have birthed their firm not more than 12 months earlier than making use of.
Anybody planning to maneuver to this nation by way of this system ought to put together for an prolonged keep — contributors should stay in Chile till both this system ends or each final peso of funding has been spent.
The BUILD program is not searching for simply any enterprise concept scribbled on a serviette. Profitable candidates arrive with tech-based prototypes that scream innovation and scalability.
Entrepreneurs Can Degree Up With IGNITE
Development-minded startups rating $30,000 or extra to fan their flames
For startups which have already confirmed they’re extra than simply a good suggestion, the IGNITE program affords the entrepreneurial equal of rocket gasoline.
This four-month accelerator program targets companies with a purposeful product and early validation, primarily saying, “Present us one thing that works, and we’ll assist make it fly.” Not dangerous for one of many many countries that’ll pay you to move there (particularly in case you’re a enterprise proprietor).
The IGNITE program welcomes 30–40 startups biannually into its cohort, making a concentrated petri dish of innovation. The qualification bar stands larger than its BUILD sibling — candidates should have a working product, a crew with complementary expertise (sorry, lone wolf entrepreneurs), and a enterprise not more than three years previous.
Associated
With minimal charges and necessities, having access to the EU and UK with this passport is good for some who qualify.
The GROWTH Accelerator: Large Cash For Larger Concepts
Established companies can rake in almost $100,000
For the startup elite — those that’ve moved past “Will this work?” to “How briskly can we scale?” — the GROWTH program represents Chile’s premier funding alternative. This eight-month program targets expansion-stage startups with a beneficiant CLP $75M (roughly $97,000) equity-free grant. Coming from one in every of the largest cities in South America, there’s lots that it affords to enterprise individuals.
The standards replicate this system’s deal with confirmed companies: candidates should reveal between $100,000 to $1 million in gross sales over the previous 12 months. Crew leaders want no less than 10% possession and should be keen to maneuver to this nation for the complete period of this system.
Whereas this may appear demanding, the payoff extends past mere cash. Individuals gain access to over 80 corporate networks, together with heavyweights like Walmart, Johnson & Johnson, and Microsoft — corporations identified for buying promising startups.
Funding |
$1.2 billion in 2021 |
---|---|
Complete Startups Helped |
|
Ease of Doing Enterprise Score |
High 25 nations on the earth |

Associated
Americans Can Get Cheap Citizenship In One Of Europe’s Most Beautiful Countries
A singular alternative to realize residency and citizenship in a vibrant and traditionally wealthy society.
Chile Desires To Pay For Innovation
The uncommon authorities program that places cash the place its mouth is
In a world the place most nations construct partitions and limitations to entry, Chile has successfully constructed a cash-dispensing welcome mat for entrepreneurs. This South American nation has acknowledged what many governments miss – that importing innovation can kickstart a home tech ecosystem quicker than attempting to develop one from scratch.
For entrepreneurs exploring the waters abroad, Chile could be an important place to take a look at as a possible new base of operations. Plus, those that transfer there have the added bonus of with the ability to leisurely explore Chilean wine country, so it’s extremely a lot price it.
Recent Comments