Start-Up Chile, the programme run with Corfo, has opened the application process for BIG13. Startups from all over the world can apply to the Build and Ignite programmes and receive equity-free funding: 15 million Chilean pesos (approx. 15K USD) for Build and 25 million Chilean pesos for Ignite. Applications close on 24 November 2026 at 1:00 PM (GMT-3). At Youth Works Hub, we went through the official Start-Up Chile pages and set out what each programme offers, who can apply and how selection works. This is a startup accelerator call: it is not part of Erasmus+ or the European Solidarity Corps (ESC).
What Start-Up Chile BIG13 Is
🏢 Organiser: Start-Up Chile, run with Corfo
📣 Call: BIG13, with a Build programme and an Ignite programme (the official page also mentions a Growth programme)
🌎 Who it serves: entrepreneurs from all over the world who want to scale a business using Chile as a platform
🎯 What it looks for: businesses that are technology-based, innovative, scalable and high-impact, at any stage of development
🇨🇱 Place: Chile (the pages we reviewed do not name a city or give programme start dates)
Build: Pre-Acceleration for Early-Stage Startups
Build is a pre-acceleration programme for early-stage startups, from a prototype to a validated MVP.
🌱 Stage: from a validated idea to an early-stage prototype
🗓️ Length: four months of pre-acceleration
🧮 Funding: a 15 million Chilean pesos (approx. 15K USD) equity-free fund, with no need to give up part of your business
🔁 Next step: a chance to access an extension and join the Ignite programme
👩💼 Female founder factor: Build is a gender-parity programme, and women lead at least 50% of the startups in the generation
👥 Size: two Build generations a year, with up to 50 startups each
Ignite: Acceleration and Funding for Startups With a Product
Ignite is a four-month acceleration and funding programme for startups with a functional product that want to find product-market fit and scale sales.
⚙️ Stage: a functional product, early validation and less than three years of development, regardless of industry and country
🗓️ Length: four-month acceleration programme with board sessions, academia and connections to corporate and investor networks
🧮 Funding: a 25 million Chilean pesos equity-free fund
➕ Extension: a possible extra 20 million Chilean pesos to keep developing the business
👩💼 Female founder factor: startups with women leaders on the team receive up to 90% funding
👥 Size: two Ignite generations a year, with up to 30 startups each
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What You Get From Start-Up Chile
🚀 A tailor-made programme: academia, board sessions, access to mentors and experts, meetings with other startups in the industry and pitch sessions
💵 Free funding: equity-free money to grow without giving up shares
🏢 Free co-working space: offered to programme participants
🏷️ Discounts: exclusive discounts on services that help you grow
🤝 Connections: contact with VCs, corporations, governments, universities and mentors in the local and international ecosystem
🛂 Landing in Chile: support to process your visa so you can develop your business from the country
🌐 Community: a network of more than 3,000 startups and 6,000 founders from more than 85 countries
Who Can Apply
🎂 Team leader: a responsible adult, at least on their ID (over 18 years old)
📈 Ignite team leader: must also hold at least a 10% shareholding, and cannot be changed once the application is submitted, so choose carefully
🌍 Countries: startups from all over the world, regardless of industry and country
⏱️ Commitment and base: the Build and Ignite pages list further requirement tabs, including "Full-time dedicated" and "Chile = Home sweet home"; read each programme's Terms and Conditions before applying
📄 Terms and Conditions: they are the basis of your contract with Corfo if you are selected
How Selection Works
1️⃣ Application form: you answer a form about your business
2️⃣ Eligibility stage: once applications close, the team checks whether your startup meets the Terms and Conditions
3️⃣ Evaluation: expert judges and the Start-Up Chile team review the application forms
4️⃣ Interview: startups the team wants to know better are called for an interview
5️⃣ Committees: all information is presented to committees, which choose the startups for the programmes
Cost to Apply
💲 Application fee: none of the official pages we reviewed mentions an application fee
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Start-Up Chile BIG13 deadline?
Applications close on 24 November 2026 at 1:00 PM (GMT-3), according to the official application page.
How much funding does Start-Up Chile give?
Build offers a 15 million Chilean pesos (approx. 15K USD) equity-free fund. Ignite offers a 25 million Chilean pesos equity-free fund, with a possible extra 20 million pesos extension. Equity-free means you do not give up a part of your business.
Can founders from any country apply?
The official pages say the programme supports entrepreneurs from all over the world, and Ignite looks for startups regardless of industry and country.
What is the difference between Build and Ignite?
Build is for early-stage startups, from a validated idea or prototype to a validated MVP. Ignite is for startups with a functional product, early validation and less than three years of development.
Is it part of Erasmus+ or the European Solidarity Corps?
No. Start-Up Chile is a startup accelerator run with Corfo and is not an Erasmus+ or ESC programme.
What does Start-Up Chile look for?
Technology-based, innovative, scalable and high-impact businesses, at any stage of development.
Deadline
⏳ 24 November 2026
Links
🔗 Apply here: https://startupchile.charly.io/spar/auth/sign-in
🔗 Application process: https://startupchile.org/en/apply/
🔗 Build programme: https://startupchile.org/en/apply/build/
🔗 Ignite programme: https://startupchile.org/en/apply/ignite/
