Build is the entry line of Start-Up Chile, the public accelerator run by Corfo, Chile’s economic development agency. It takes ventures at the earliest stage — from a validated idea to an early-stage prototype — through four months of pre-acceleration. Selected teams receive an equity-free grant of 15 million Chilean pesos (about USD 15,000), free co-working space, mentoring and introductions to investors and large companies. Founders of any nationality and any industry may apply, but technology has to sit at the centre of the value proposition and the project has to use Chile as its platform for global growth. Two Build generations run each year, each with up to 50 startups, and at least half of every generation is led by women. Teams that finish Build can compete for an extension into Ignite, the next line up.
Benefits & funding
- Equity-free grant of 15,000,000 Chilean pesos (stated on the program page as approx. USD 15,000), paid without taking any share of the company.
- Corfo funds up to 90% of the project’s total cost, capped at 15,000,000 pesos for the Build line.
- Four months of pre-acceleration with a curriculum built around fast startup growth.
- Free co-working space, mentor advisory, and connections to investors and established companies for early feedback and business opportunities.
- A two-year Chilean work visa for the whole team of foreign founders.
- Access to the Start-Up Chile alumni community — more than 3,000 startups and 6,000 founders from over 85 countries.
- The chance to apply for an extension and continue into the Ignite acceleration line.
Eligibility
- Individuals: Chilean or foreign nationals, aged 18 or over at the time of applying, who are founders or partners executing the project.
- Companies: for-profit legal entities incorporated in Chile whose tax activities began no more than 12 months before the call opened (the limit that applies to the Build line).
- Stage: a validated idea through to an early-stage prototype.
- The venture must be technology-based, innovative, scalable and high-impact; technology has to be central to the value proposition, not an add-on.
- The project must use Chile as its platform for global expansion.
- No nationality, residency or industry restriction on who may apply.
- At least 50% of each Build generation is led by women under the Female Founder Factor.
- English is the program’s official language, and attendance in person at Start-Up Chile events is mandatory.
Can you apply?
Worth a closer look
Sign in and add your profile to check this against your nationality, residency, and studies.
Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
Not in your profile yet
Appears to be for women “Female Founder”
confirm in the requirements
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Register the venture through the Start-Up Chile application platform and complete the online form about the business.
- 2Eligibility stage: the team checks each application against the call’s terms and conditions.
- 3Expert review: external judges and the Start-Up Chile team score the applications.
- 4Interview stage: shortlisted startups are interviewed.
- 5Committee stage: a final committee selects the startups that enter the generation, and results are published on the date announced with the call.
Program timeline
Build 11 applications open
Nov 5, 2025
Build 11 applications close (13:00 GMT-3)
Nov 28, 2025
Build 12 applications open
May 4, 2026
Build 12 applications close
May 25, 2026
Build 12 results announced
Jul 10, 2026
Next generation
not yet announced. Two Build generations run per year, and the program page asks applicants to watch for the next call.