ICC and Bogota Chamber launch Centre of Entrepreneurship

Following the establishment of hubs in Accra, Beirut, Buenos Aires, Casablanca, Istanbul, Jakarta, Lagos and Nairobi, the latest addition will be managed by INNOVALAB, the Business Innovation, and Design Centre of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce, ICC’s representative chamber in Colombia.

The Centre will promote business activity in Bogota and the wider region contributing to the city’s reputation as the “Entrepreneurship Capital” of Latin America. According to Start-up Blink 2022, Bogota is the city with the most start-ups in Colombia, ranking in the top 100 worldwide in e-commerce, retail technology and transportation technology.

With this in mind, Nicolás Uribe Rueda, Executive President of the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce said that establishing an ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship in Bogota was paramount.

“At the Bogota Chamber of Commerce we are focused on validating the role of the entrepreneur as a relevant actor in society and on boosting the economic reactivation of the country. That is why our actions are especially aimed at micro and small companies that make up the 97% of all businesses,” he said.

In Bogota for the launch of the Centre, ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said: “I am delighted to launch our newest Centre of Entrepreneurship in Bogota to enable entrepreneurs, smaller business and start- ups build the capacity and the networks they need not only to thrive and survive but to ensure they are mobilised to contribute to the growth of the economy and a brighter future for more Colombians.”

The Centre’s mission is to support, prepare, connect and mobilise the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders, enabling people with opportunities to build meaningful livelihoods.

The Centre will focus on four key tracks:

1. Inspiring future entrepreneurs: The Centre aims to ensure that everyone, especially young people, has the opportunity to become entrepreneurs. For this to happen, they need to be empowered with the skills of the future. The Center of Entrepreneurship provides access to programmes to prepare people with the skills needed to become successful entrepreneurs in a constantly changing environment.

2. Digitalisation of SME´s: SMEs represent 90% of global businesses, but many do not have the necessary tools and resources to participate in today’s digital economy. The programmes offered at the Centre provide SME leaders with the tools to digitise their operations and access new markets.
3. Scaling up start-ups: The Centre of Entrepreneurship works to improve ecosystems for start-ups by providing training, coaching and support services. to help entrepreneurs establish, fund, manage and expand their new companies.
4. Fostering Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurship provides social and economic opportunities for the entire population by creating employment in the community. The ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship leverages strategic partnerships to empower individuals and mobilise public-private solutions to overcome the challenges of entrepreneurship.

The Bogota hub of the ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship will be officially opened today during an event at the Agora Bogota Convention Centre, where leaders of regional and Latin American Chambers of Commerce will be attending, and more than 300 entrepreneurs are expected.