Gran Tierra’s Emprender+ Program

Emprender+, GTE’s signature entrepreneurship-based social investment project, is a critical component of GTE’s efforts to address local economic challenges. For the last several years, the program has created opportunities for people to strengthen their businesses and launch new companies while bolstering local economies in Colombia’s Middle Magdalena Valley and Putumayo regions.

Emprender+ provides technical training, business management guidance, and seed capital along with recognition for innovative business ideas and execution. The program, carried out in partnership with the World Corporation for Women in Colombia (CMMC), also helps entrepreneurs navigate the technical, administrative and management challenges of operating a small business. The popularity of the program has grown steadily and rapidly from 30 to over 200 participating entrepreneurs since its inception, and over 2,000 people registered to participate since the program started in 2021. Free online training sessions were created for the additional participants who were unable to join the full program.

In 2023, all program participants received seed capital for their businesses and 79% of Emprender+ participants are women.

For more information on Emprender+ visit the program’s website here.

“The program helped me immensely with all the aspects of a small business and the support helped me grow my ice cream business. Since then, I’ve been able to expand and buy better equipment, and I hope to build my own shop someday.”

JOHANN ALVAREZ

Founder of Win Win Helados Artesanales

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Community Perspectives

I don’t know how to read or write, but I know business, numbers and shoes. Emprender+ taught me how to better organize and analyse my business. I hope that someday I can help other entrepreneurs open their own businesses.