Entrepreneurship in Chile

Over the last decades, the Chilean economy and institutions have experienced substantial growth and development, respectively. Moreover, the country’s government has launched programs to support Chilean and foreign start-ups. This scenario has created an ideal business environment for entrepreneurship. However, recent political instability and the discussion of a new Constitution raise questions about the country’s future of entrepreneurship. This chapter begins by describing the historical context of Chile from its establishment until 2018. Then, it discusses the environment of entrepreneurship in Chile by highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. This is followed by a close inspection of recent political challenges that the country faces and can affect the future of entrepreneurship. Finally, the chapter presents the case of NotCo, an example of a highly innovative start-up from Chile that, amidst the political and health challenges, can become a leading actor in the global plant-based protein market.