What drives a person to undertake? The answer is not one, but it travels along a path that goes from self -realization to economic need, for example the lack of labor opportunities or low salaries.
Until the end of the year 2023, in Peru there were 3’271,303 micro and small businesses (MYPES) led by entrepreneurs, according to data from the Ministry of Production (Produce). The figure meant a growth of 4.1 % compared to 2022. Moreover, during the first quarter of 2024, the number of active companies registered in the central directory of companies and establishments was 3,375,115 companies, a higher figure in 5.8 % compared to the same quarter of the year 2023, as the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) was announced in the Business Demography Technical Report in Peru. Also, between January and March that same year, 71,070 companies were created or reactivated. In contrast, 10,454 businesses closed.
Sector ecosystem
It is not a secret that entrepreneurs are the engine of development in countries like ours. According to the Latin American study, undertakes: an analysis of the MSMEs in the region (2024) of Alegra, accounting software and electronic billing, Peru is the country of the region with younger entrepreneurs – among the 18 and 34 years -, with a representation of 54.3% of this population in the country.
The figures surprise, even more if one takes into account that Peruvian numbers are above 14% of the regional average.
In this regard, a term quite used in recent years is relevant, the entrepreneurial ecosystem. These two words refer to all those agents that facilitate the emergence, development and action of entrepreneurs. That is, incubators, the financial system, the government, private initiatives or other institutions interested in the subject, investment networks, and so on. To more facilitators to help forge and consolidate ventures, this ecosystem will become better and stronger.
“Peru is the country in the region with younger entrepreneurs – among the 18 and 34 years – with a representation of 54.3% of this population in the country.”
Undoubtedly, the Peruvian ecosystem still has much to improve and grow, especially in terms of financing innovative projects. This particular point remains led by the public initiative. For now, locally, there are few private sector companies that promote self -employment.
Promoting companies
The challenges facing the Peruvian entrepreneur test virtues such as leadership, perseverance, discipline and resilience. But it also needs an environment that stimulates the development of your business idea.
In this sense, the role of the State and private organizations for the consolidation and strengthening of the Peruvian entrepreneur ecosystem is relevant. They offer a range of opportunities that translate into investment to reinforce business management skills, mentoring, legal advice, physical work spaces and the knowledge that is required to bring the initiatives afloat. These include six organizations that collaborate to realize ideas with high impact potential.
Startup Peru. Attached to the National Program for Technological Development and Innovation (Proinnóvate) of the Ministry of Production has financed more than 700 companies. It seeks to strengthen the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in Peru generating the conditions for the emergence of innovative companies. Among its shares is co -financing with seed capital to those who have a competitive advantage based on innovation and who can grow by pointing to regional and global markets. Incubators, accelerators and networks that provide specialized services for startups and strengthen their abilities are also co -founded.
Wayra Hispam. Founded in 2011 by the Transnational Telefónica, identifies the most disruptive projects in Latin America to support them, invest in them and incorporate them into their corporation. According to its own website so far it has invested more than 20 million dollars in more than 100 startups, 60 of them work at Telefónica Movistar Hispam. Wayra began as an accelerator, but in recent years it has become defined as an investment and open innovation arm of the company in 16 countries in the region. In Peru, some of its success cases are Cinepapaya, Bus Portal, Crehana and Culqi.
Nesst. It develops sustainable social companies that solve critical problems in countries with emerging economies such as Peru, creating quality jobs for unattended communities. It provides individualized financing and support for the business development of social entrepreneurs, with whom it commits for two to five years. In its portfolio, Yaqua stands out, in the field of the generation of water projects, and laboratory, which works to achieve a digital economy that opens opportunities to women, making it more diverse, inclusive and competitive.
“The challenges of the Peruvian entrepreneur test virtues such as leadership, perseverance, discipline and resilience.”
Emprende Up. It is the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship of the University of the Pacific. They have a pre -incubation, incubation, acceleration and investment area, according to the need for each idea in operation. It has been developing programs and new projects that seek to train entrepreneurs and promote innovation, employment generation, productivity and competitiveness in the country. Within their experience they have worked with Cash agent, Fintech that offers access to collection services and payments in rural areas already Rextie, online exchange house.
Utec Ventures. For 10 years, the Innovation Laboratory of the University of Engineering and Technology (UTEC) has a nine -month mentoring model with the services of the incubator and investment, in exchange for a participation of between 5% and 10% of the company. It is one of the first most active investors and allies for technological solutions in Peru.
The National “Your Company” program. It was created on August 24, 2017, by Supreme Decree No. 012-2017-Produce, to contribute to the increase in productivity and sales of micro and small businesses, providing them with facilities to formalize, access the formal credit, digitize, and develop the capacities of entrepreneurs. It offers free accompaniment and advice to entrepreneurs in the process of formalization of their business, through the 29 Business Development Centers (CDE) distributed nationwide.
Native, entrepreneurs and empowered
Palms to entrepreneurship
In the heart of the Amazon, stories of struggle, resistance and development are abundant, almost as many as those of overcoming, union and progress.
Amelia Pacaya is the leader of the United Kokamas Ecological Native Community, established in the district of Curimaná, Province of Father Abad, Ucayali region.
In recent years, his community has been looking for an alternative that allows the development of all families under their protection.
“At first, in these lands Coca was sown. We decided not to continue with that and we started looking for an alternative. We find it in the palm,” says Amelia.
When they started their palmer project, they faced uncertainty and a lot of pressure from NGOs and other groups that satanized Palma’s sustainable culture.
“They told us that nothing grows in La Palma, that no more animals live, that we would be isolated. But none of that happened,” Amelia tells us, who today reaps, along with her community members, more than x tons per month of palm.
One of the things that stands out is how Palma work joins the entire community, since everyone benefits equally.
“I did not go to school, my children had no studies; but today my grandchildren and granddaughters are already going to university, and all thanks to the palm and money that gives us,” he says with a smile.
“This is for everyone, and in eight south we have an ally. Beyond social support, it is our partner: we sell the palm we reap in our lands,” says Amelia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x0ljGrtmfk
Palmas to Shipibo art
For its part, going down the Aguaytía River, a few kilometers from its mouth in the Ucayali River, a group of artisans from the Native Shambo Porvenir community takes their art to various corners of Peru and the world.
At the head of this group is Elizabeth Tangoa innocent, Shipiba artist of the Amazon textile, who mobilizes her companions to add to her tradition the use of machines that improve their production and quality.
“We have worked with various institutions and companies to move forward our art. Our looms have left Peru and we are proud,” says Elizabeth.
One of the priorities for the artisans of Shambo Porvenir is not to abandon the essence of their art: the embroidery, tinctures and handmade details, which make each of the pieces unique.
While they have sewing machines and remaller to make poles, pants or skirts, the designs are still performed by hand, with millenary patterns inherited from generation to generation.
“Many times at the fairs they ask us this or that model. It is complicated, because each one is unique. They better leave us the garment or tell us what they want, and that they receive a good job of ours,” says Elizabeth, who has just arrived from a successful exhibition in Lima.
Thanks to the alliance between Shambo Porvenir and the company Ocho Sur, and with an invitation from the San Martín Chamber of Commerce, Elizabeth traveled to the capital to show her art in the ‘Amazon evening’ organized by that institution at the Lima Regatas Club.
“Eight South has helped us to get to this evening and we have been able to sell all the partners well. You can always count on them, they are a good neighbor,” says Elizabeth.
The entrepreneurial women of the jungle have always been inspiration and, example of strength and strength to carry out their families, their organizations and their communities.
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