Starting and scaling a business — and turning it into a primary source of income — while also being a mother, head of household, and responsible for family wellbeing is a reality that thousands of women in Chile face daily.
The 10th Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Survey, published in 2025 by Universidad Gabriela Mistral (UGM), explored the challenges women encounter in the business world. According to the study, 59% of women who currently run or have run a business perceive more barriers to progress compared to men. Among them, 32% highlighted work–life balance as the main challenge, 29% cited limited access to funding, and 15% pointed to fear of failure or lack of confidence in their own abilities.
In response to these challenges, Fundación Luksic launched Despega Mujer in 2021 — a comprehensive program that offers up to CLP $2,000,000 in flexible funding and asynchronous training modules designed to give women autonomy over their schedules. The training not only aims to improve business management but also to empower and boost the self-efficacy of women from multiple perspectives.
The program also includes personalized mentorship: each participant is matched with an expert woman entrepreneur to co-design a mentoring plan. In addition, the initiative fosters peer networks within each region through “learning circles” — virtual and in-person sessions where women can share both professional and personal challenges.
“Entrepreneurship is never easy, and even less so for women, who often face structural barriers ranging from limited access to capital to the constant need to balance work and family. This program was created precisely to support them, offering practical tools that reflect their real lives,” said Cristián Schalper, Director of Entrepreneurship at Fundación Luksic.
A Launchpad for Women in Atacama, O’Higgins, and Los Ríos
For this sixth edition, Despega Mujer is calling for applications from 100 women entrepreneurs from the regions of Atacama, O’Higgins, and Los Ríos. Applicants must be residents of one of these three regions, own a business formally registered under the first tax category with the Chilean IRS (SII) in 2024, and present a valid Household Social Registry statement (issued within the last six months).
Carolina Rebolledo, a past winner and owner of the textile printing business Taller Textil Mapache, shared her experience: “I realized that what helps me grow the most as an entrepreneur is connecting with women who face the same challenges I do. Winning this program has literally helped my business take off.”
So far, Despega Mujer has supported 290 women across the regions of Tarapacá, Antofagasta, Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Maule, Ñuble, Biobío, La Araucanía, Los Lagos, Aysén, Magallanes, and the Metropolitan Region. The 2025 application period runs until May 12 at www.fundacionluksic.cl. Updates on next steps will be shared through Fundación Luksic’s social media and official website.
