Start-Up Chile: funding, terms & how to apply
The original government accelerator — equity-free grants from Chile's CORFO across three tracks (Build, Ignite, Growth), open to founders worldwide willing to build from Santiago.
Investment
Equity-free co-funding: Build ~CLP 15M, Ignite ~CLP 30M, Growth ~CLP 75M
Equity
Equity-free grant (co-funded; higher rate for female founders)
Program length
4 months (Build/Ignite); 8 months (Growth)
Format
Hybrid
Deadlines
2 generations/year
Acceptance rate
Not published
Facts last checked 2026-08-26. Deals and dates change — the official site is always the source of truth for the current application window.
What Start-Up Chile actually is
Start-Up Chile invented the state-run, equity-free accelerator in 2010 and remains the reference: staged tracks for idea (Build, up to ~CLP 15M), early traction (Ignite, up to ~CLP 30M, with a 90% co-funding rate for female founders versus 80% standard) and scaling companies (Growth, up to ~CLP 75M), all as co-funded grants with zero equity. Two 'generations' run per year with visa support for international founders.
The co-funding structure means the grant reimburses a percentage of approved spending rather than wiring a lump sum — plan cash flow accordingly. Alumni include NotCo, Cornershop and Fintual, and the program remains LatAm's easiest legitimate door for foreign founders.
What they look for
The bar you need to clear before the application is worth sending.
Founders worldwide willing to operate from Chile during the program.
The right track: Build for ideas, Ignite for early traction, Growth for scaling.
Products with regional or global scalability, not Chile-only plays.
Understanding of the reimbursement-style co-funding mechanics.
Before you apply
Most rejections happen before the interview — in the application itself
Every question Start-Up Chile asks — problem, traction, business model, team, market size — maps to work you can finish first. Build your startup profile in StartupKit, run the readiness score, and walk into the application with real answers instead of blank fields. Free, no card.
Build your startup profile freeApplication FAQ
Does Start-Up Chile take equity?
No — all tracks are equity-free grants co-funded by CORFO. Ignite covers 80% of approved spending (90% for female-led startups) up to the track cap.
Can foreign founders apply?
Yes — the program was designed to import global founders, and provides visa support; participation involves building from Santiago during the program.
How much can I receive?
Depends on track: roughly CLP 15M for Build, CLP 30M for Ignite and up to CLP 75M for Growth, disbursed against approved expenses.
Similar programs
Platanus
Latin America · 7% equity, invested on acceptance
LatAm's founder-run YC — a $200K-for-7% batch built by Chilean founders for Latin American startups, with alumni like Toku and Fintoc validating the model.
K-Startup Grand Challenge
Asia-Pacific · Equity-free grant
Korea's state-run gateway for foreign startups — an equity-free, roughly 10-month challenge with staged prizes, grants and visa support for teams entering the Korean market.
MassChallenge
North America · No equity, no fees; competition-based cash awards
The zero-equity competition-accelerator — large cohorts, mentor marathons, and cash prizes instead of investment, across Boston, Texas, Israel, Switzerland and Mexico.