Fondo Emprender SENA: Forgivable Seed Capital in Colombia

Program Overview

Fondo Emprender is Colombia's premier seed capital program, administered by SENA (Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje). The program provides forgivable seed capital financing of up to 780 million Colombian pesos (approximately $190,000 USD) to support the creation and growth of new businesses across all economic sectors.

What makes Fondo Emprender unique is its forgivable capital structure: funds do not need to be repaid if beneficiaries successfully meet the goals established in their approved business plan. Since its creation, the program has supported over 12,000 Colombian entrepreneurs in transforming their business ideas into viable companies, making it one of Latin America's most impactful entrepreneurship programs.

Funding Structure

Seed Capital Amount: Up to 780 million Colombian pesos per approved project, with amounts varying based on business plan scope, employment generation potential, and capital requirements.

Forgivable Capital: Funds are provided as forgivable seed capital, meaning they convert to a non-repayable grant upon successful achievement of business plan milestones and goals. This effectively provides 100% grant funding for successful ventures.

Regional Allocations: In 2026, SENA opened calls with 17 billion pesos allocated across 170 municipalities nationwide. In Bogotá specifically, 20.917 billion pesos has been designated for 299 beneficiaries, with non-reimbursable capital allocations up to 50 million pesos per project for priority sectors.

Program Objectives

Job Creation: Primary focus on reducing Colombia's employment gap by funding ventures that generate sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for youth and women entrepreneurs.

Business Formation: Support the creation of new legally constituted companies across all economic sectors, from traditional industries to innovative technology ventures.

Economic Development: Foster regional economic development by allocating capital to municipalities throughout Colombia, ensuring entrepreneurship support reaches beyond major urban centers.

Eligibility Requirements

Colombian Citizenship: Exclusively available to Colombian citizens developing business initiatives in any economic sector.

Business Plan: Must submit comprehensive business plan demonstrating market viability, financial sustainability, and clear employment generation targets.

SENA Affiliation: While historically prioritizing SENA graduates and students, current calls specify conditions that may include broader eligibility. Check specific call requirements for detailed criteria.

Priority Groups: Special consideration given to women entrepreneurs, youth-led ventures, and businesses creating employment in underserved regions.

Application Process

1. Project Formulation: Develop business plan with SENA's technical support. SENA offers free training and consulting services to help entrepreneurs craft competitive proposals.

2. Call Monitoring: Watch for periodic calls on fondoemprender.com and sena.edu.co. Calls are opened throughout the year with specific deadlines and regional allocations.

3. Online Application: Submit complete business plan and required documentation through the Fondo Emprender online platform at fondoemprender.com.

4. Evaluation: Expert panels evaluate proposals based on innovation, market viability, employment generation, financial sustainability, and alignment with regional development priorities.

5. Seed Capital Disbursement: Approved projects receive capital in tranches tied to milestone achievement, ensuring funds are deployed as the business progresses.

Comprehensive Support Services

Technical Assistance: SENA provides ongoing technical support from project formulation through execution, including training, specialized consulting, and business development guidance.

Continuous Monitoring: Beneficiaries receive regular monitoring and support to ensure business plan execution stays on track and milestone targets are met.

Networking Opportunities: Access to SENA's entrepreneurial ecosystem, connecting beneficiaries with mentors, potential partners, and fellow entrepreneurs.

Success Requirements

To convert seed capital into forgivable grants, beneficiaries must successfully execute their approved business plan, meeting predefined goals including:

Employment Targets: Create the number of jobs specified in the business plan.

Revenue Milestones: Achieve projected revenue targets demonstrating business viability.

Operational Compliance: Maintain legal and financial compliance throughout the program period.

Reporting Obligations: Submit regular progress reports and financial statements as required by SENA.

Success Tips

Leverage SENA training: Participate in SENA's business plan development workshops and consulting services before applying. Their support significantly improves proposal quality.

Emphasize job creation: Clearly quantify employment generation in your business plan. Projects creating more quality jobs receive higher evaluation scores.

Realistic financial projections: Provide conservative, well-researched financial projections with detailed assumptions. Overly optimistic numbers reduce credibility.

Market validation: Demonstrate customer demand through market research, pilot sales, or letters of intent from potential customers.

Regional alignment: If applying in specific municipalities, show how your venture addresses local economic development priorities.

Contact Information

Fondo Emprender - SENA

Website: www.fondoemprender.com

SENA Portal: www.sena.edu.co/fondo-emprender

Phone: Check regional SENA office for local support

Support: Technical assistance available through SENA regional centers nationwide