Start-Up Chile

Start-Up Chile is a public accelerator program operated by CORFO (Corporación de Fomento de la Producción), Chile's Economic Development Agency. Created in 2010 to position Chile as Latin America's innovation and entrepreneurship hub, the program accepts technology-based startup founders from around the world and provides equity-free funding, mentorship, co-working space, and visa support. Foreign entrepreneurs accepted into the program receive a two-year temporary residence work visa processed through SERMIG in coordination with Start-Up Chile. The program has built a network of more than 3,000 startups and 6,000 founders from over 85 countries.

Start-Up Chile operates three program lines:

• Build (pre-acceleration, 4 months): up to CLP 15 million (~USD 17,500) for early-stage startups
• Ignite (acceleration, 4 months): up to CLP 30 million (~USD 35,000) at 80% co-financing (90% for female founders), with a possible CLP 20 million extension; requires a functional product
• Growth (scale, 8 months): up to CLP 75 million (~USD 87,500) at 50% co-financing (60% for female founders) for scaling ventures; requires at least 24 months of SII registration for legal entities

All funding is equity-free — CORFO takes no ownership stake. The program has generated over USD 1 billion in worldwide sales and USD 1.2 billion in capital raised across its portfolio.

• Founders or partners in a technology-based, innovative, scalable, and high-impact venture
• Must be 18 years or older
• Foreign applicants apply as individuals, not as legal entities
• Traditional businesses do not qualify — only technology-based, innovative ventures are eligible
• Ignite requires a functional product (not just an idea) and less than 3 years of development history
• Participants must commit to residing in Chile for a minimum of 6 months during the program and attend mandatory events in person (program is based in Santiago)
• No formal educational or professional qualifications required
• No personal financial proof required for the program application

For program application (via Charly.io platform):

• Startup details, team information, and business plan submitted through the online form

For visa application:

• Valid passport (minimum 1-year validity)
• Criminal record certificate with apostille (not exceeding 60 days old, required for applicants aged 18+)
• Recent color photograph (white background)
• Sponsorship/recommendation letter from Start-Up Chile or CORFO

The two-year work visa covers the program duration. Extension or renewal follows standard residencia temporal procedures through SERMIG, requiring evidence of continued lawful activity. Residencia temporal is renewable for two consecutive additional two-year periods. Holders may apply for permanent residency (Residencia Definitiva) after two years of continuous residence.

Spouse and children may qualify as dependants under Article 74 of Law No. 21.325. The two-year work visa is also available for the entire startup team. Adult family members of visa holders may work independently without separate sponsorship.

Selected startups must formalize as Chilean enterprises by registering with the Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII). Foreign nationals are taxed only on Chilean-source income during the first 3 years of residence, after which worldwide income taxation applies under Chile's progressive Global Complementary Tax.

The application process has two stages:

1. Program selection: Apply through the Charly.io platform (startupchile.charly.io) during open convocation periods (typically two per year). The process involves submitting the application form, eligibility review, expert evaluation by judges, interviews for shortlisted candidates, committee review, and final selection announcement. Build accepts up to 50 startups per cohort, Ignite up to 30, and Growth 10–15.

2. Visa processing: Upon acceptance, Start-Up Chile provides a sponsorship/recommendation letter and handles the visa process in coordination with SERMIG. The visa application is submitted from outside Chile through SERMIG's digital portal (tramites.extranjeria.gob.cl) or at a Chilean consulate. Standard processing time is 6–12 months; under the 2023 SERMIG-InvestChile-Start-Up Chile cooperation agreement, accelerated processing for technology sector applicants takes approximately 15 working days. Visa processing costs are reimbursed by Start-Up Chile for selected participants.

Upon arrival, participants must formalize their startup as a Chilean enterprise (register with SII), hire advanced human capital, connect with the national ecosystem, and attend mandatory Start-Up Chile events. English is the official communication language for the program.