The money itself can be spent on machinery and equipment, renovation or setup of workspace, digital marketing campaigns, or business consulting services.
En un país donde el tejido productivo descansa sobre miles de pequeñas empresas, el Estado chileno abre esta semana una ventana breve pero concreta: 824 subsidios directos de cinco millones de pesos, sin obligación de devolución, para quienes tengan la documentación en orden y actúen antes del jueves. Es una apuesta por la capitalización desde abajo, con la condición de que el beneficiario también ponga algo en juego.
- El plazo cierra el 11 de junio y no habrá excepciones: para cientos de microempresarios, estas horas son las últimas para reunir documentos y registrarse en el sistema.
- 824 cupos para todo el país generan una competencia real —no toda empresa que cumpla los requisitos alcanzará a recibir financiamiento.
- El subsidio no es dinero sin condiciones: las empresas deben cofinanciar parte del proyecto y absorber íntegramente el IVA de las compras que realicen con el aporte estatal.
- Los fondos solo pueden destinarse a activos, infraestructura, marketing digital o consultoría —usarlos para pagar deudas antiguas está expresamente prohibido.
- Quienes cumplan los umbrales de ventas, tengan sus obligaciones laborales y previsionales al día, y no figuren en registros de deudas de pensión alimenticia, tienen hoy una oportunidad concreta de capitalizar sus negocios.
El Servicio de Cooperación Técnica de Chile lanzó esta semana las postulaciones al Fondo Crece 2026, un programa que ofrece subsidios no reembolsables de cinco millones de pesos a 824 micro y pequeñas empresas en todo el país. La ventana de postulación cierra el jueves 11 de junio, dejando a los emprendedores apenas días para completar su registro.
A diferencia de un crédito bancario, el subsidio no se devuelve, pero tampoco llega sin exigencias. Las empresas seleccionadas deben cofinanciar un porcentaje del costo neto del proyecto según los parámetros que cada oficina regional de Sercotec ha publicado, y deben pagar el IVA completo sobre los bienes o servicios adquiridos con el aporte. Los recursos pueden usarse en maquinaria, habilitación de espacios, campañas de marketing digital o asesorías de gestión. Lo que no está permitido, de manera explícita, es destinar cualquier fracción del subsidio a saldar deudas financieras, tributarias o de multas previas.
Para postular, las empresas establecidas deben acreditar ventas anuales de entre 200 y 25.000 UF ante el Servicio de Impuestos Internos. Las más nuevas —con menos de un año de funcionamiento— pueden calificar si registran al menos 20 UF en ventas y llevan un mínimo de tres meses de actividad. Las cooperativas de primera categoría también pueden participar, siempre que las ventas promedio por socio no superen las 25.000 UF; quedan excluidas las cooperativas de servicios financieros, las comunidades y las sucesiones. En todos los casos, los postulantes no deben tener deudas laborales, previsionales ni figurar en el registro de deudores de pensión alimenticia.
Con los cupos limitados y el reloj corriendo, la agencia ha sido clara: no se aceptarán postulaciones fuera de plazo. Para los pequeños empresarios que han esperado esta oportunidad, el momento de actuar es ahora.
Chile's technical cooperation agency opened applications this week for direct capital injections to 824 small businesses across the country. The Sercotec Fondo Crece 2026 program offers a non-reimbursable subsidy of $5 million per company—money that does not need to be repaid—but the window to apply closes Thursday, June 11, leaving eligible entrepreneurs just days to register.
The program targets micro and small enterprises (known locally as mipes) seeking an economic boost to stabilize or expand their operations. Unlike a bank loan, the subsidy comes with strings: selected companies must contribute their own funds to cover a percentage of the project's net cost, and they must pay the full value-added tax on any goods or services purchased with the grant. The money itself can be spent on machinery and equipment, renovation or setup of workspace, digital marketing campaigns, or business consulting services. What it cannot do is retire old debts—financial, tax, or penalty-related. The agency is explicit on this point: no portion of the subsidy can be diverted to settle obligations already owed.
Eligibility hinges on sales volume. Established businesses must demonstrate annual revenues between 200 and 25,000 UF (a Chilean unit of account) to the tax authority. Newer companies, those less than a year old, can qualify if they show at least 20 UF in sales and have been registered for a minimum of three months. Cooperatives are welcome to apply as long as they are first-category cooperatives with average sales per member below 25,000 UF—but financial services cooperatives, informal partnerships, and inherited estates are explicitly barred. Beyond the sales threshold, applicants must have no outstanding labor debts, no unpaid pension contributions, and cannot appear on the national registry of those owing child support.
The co-financing requirement means this is not free money handed over without conditions. Beneficiary companies will need to invest their own capital alongside the subsidy, and they absorb the tax cost entirely. Regional Sercotec offices have published the specific percentages required in each area, so entrepreneurs need to check their local guidelines before submitting.
With 824 slots available nationally and a June 11 deadline, the competition for these grants is real. The application process itself requires registration through Sercotec's system, and the agency has made clear that late submissions will not be accepted. For small business owners who have been waiting for this funding window, the clock is now running.
Citações Notáveis
The subsidy cannot be used for payment of financial debts, tax obligations, or prior penalties.— Sercotec program guidelines
A Conversa do Hearth Outra perspectiva sobre a história
Why does a non-reimbursable subsidy require the company to put in its own money? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a grant?
It's about skin in the game. The government wants to fund businesses that are serious enough to risk their own capital. If you're willing to match the subsidy with your own investment, you're more likely to use the money wisely and see the project through.
And the company has to pay the full tax bill on top of that?
Yes. The subsidy covers the asset or service itself, but the tax is the company's responsibility. It's a way of keeping the total public outlay fixed while still delivering real value.
What happens to someone who tries to use the money to pay off an old debt?
They lose eligibility. The agency audits how the money is spent. If you divert it to settle past obligations, you're committing fraud against the program.
So this really is targeted at businesses that are operational and solvent, just undercapitalized?
Exactly. They need to have clean labor and pension records, they need to be generating revenue, and they need to be able to contribute their own funds. It's not a rescue program for failing businesses.
With only 824 slots and a national application pool, how competitive is this?
Very. These grants are rare enough and large enough that demand will almost certainly exceed supply. The June 11 deadline will see a rush of applications in the final days.