María Elena and Tocopilla Entrepreneurs Restart their Businesses

We continue to support local companies and micro-enterprises through Cowork El Puerto and the “Atrévete y Embárcate” (Dare and Set Sail) grant program. SQM is also leveraging resources collaboratively with other private companies to support businesses that have seen sales decrease due to COVID-19.

In the midst of the health emergency generated by COVID-19, Puerto Cowork has fielded numerous applications with the support of SQM and Fundación La Semilla. A total of 275 entities applied to the third version of the “Atrévete y Embárcate” program, which focused on Tocopilla entrepreneurs. Participants attended business workshops and advising sessions in an effort to strengthen their initiatives.

Seventy-six percent of applicants (208 people) are women and 24% (67 people) are men. Eighty-nine percent are from Tocopilla (245), 9% are from María Elena (25) and 2% (5) are from Quillagua.

SQM’s Director of Communications, Sustainability and Public Affairs, Pablo Pisani, noted, “We are facing a very difficult moment that forces us to reinvent ourselves to provide new tools and work methods with a strong online presence to entrepreneurs whose business has been impacted by COVID-19 over the past few months.”

The “Atrévete y Embárcate” program launched virtual workshops on topics such as “Knowing your client,” “Business models,” “Value propositions” and “How I present my business.” Program organizers will consider the enterprises on a case-by-case basis and will answer questions and/or provide personal counseling depending on the sanitary conditions.

It is important to note that this program will also include a revolving fund of $30 million pesos to support entrepreneurs who have to restart their companies during the health emergency.

Program to Support Reactivation in María Elena

This initiative seeks to encourage small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs from the municipality of María Elena to apply to CORFO’s Pampa Salitrera “PAR” (Reactivation Support Program). Entities granted access to the program will receive funding from various companies that will help them reactivate their businesses. Program partners include El Puerto Cowork, SQM, Fundación La Semilla, Minera Antucoya de Antofagasta Minerals, Atlas Renewable Energy, Cerro Dominador and TSGF.

The initiative is designed to allow entrepreneurs and small business owners from María Elena who meet certain requirements to apply to this CORFO program, which provides up to 50% co-funding for training activities, consulting services, investments in assets and working capital. If admitted to the program, the partner companies co-finance the other percentage of the project.