For the second consecutive year the FGK will carry out this innovative program, applications will be open from february 2 to march 2 and you can apply at the following link: https://bit.ly/3HGK2H6

The call is also open for mentors who want to share their knowledge in business with entrepreneurs in their initial phase, you can apply here: https://bit.ly/3HmaODe

The requirements to apply to the program are: to have a business idea or project that meets the triple line of impact: economic, social and environmental. Be an entrepreneur from El Salvador. Have the need to structure and define the business model and find the fit of the product or service in the market. Be able to dedicate a minimum of 6-8 hours per week for the entire duration of the program. With the commitment to finish it in the stipulated time and apply the recommendations and learning from the facilitators during the process. Have access to a computer and stable internet connection.

The FGK Business Incubation is a learning program to accelerate the growth and success of ventures, startups or businesses that have a social impact, the program provides support in areas such as: methodology and structure, networking opportunities with an entrepreneurial community and personalized mentoring; thus developing sustainable business models. At the end of the program, entrepreneurs will also have the opportunity to apply with their projects to the "Ayudando A Quienes Ayudan" grant in the Social Entrepreneurship category.

"Like traditional businesses, new social enterprises have a variety of needs, such as developing a business plan, securing funding and measuring impact. In order to overcome these limitations that appear in the initial stages of a company's development, we created this program that accelerates ventures that are developing new and innovative solutions to problems present not only in our country, but around the world", said Fernando Kriete, Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Fundación Gloria Kriete.

Social Entrepreneurship refers precisely to new business models that use innovation to help solve social problems, reduce climate change and generally make the economy prosper while improving the environment.

This year 30 entrepreneurs will be selected, the selected projects will be part of a complete and validated training program of 5 months where they will be able to structure and validate their social enterprise with the aim of creating a sustainable business that generates impact on their environment.

FGK invests approximately US$1,550.00 for each participating entrepreneur. The winners receive a 100% scholarship from FGK so that they can closely follow the development of their project. Part of this follow-up is to follow their modules through a specialized platform created by Bridge for Billions, one of the largest networks of entrepreneurship programs in the world.

Its methodology is based on a practical and structured learning approach, based on the development of a business plan from scratch. The 8 online business tools allow entrepreneurs to experiment, research and document their ideas step by step so that at the end of the program they can create their own business plan and be confident that they are building a viable business.

Juana Jule, executive director of Fundación Gloria Kriete explained that, "For the past 5 years, Fundación Gloria Kriete has promoted the growth of Social Entrepreneurship with the objective of helping to solve different social problems through entrepreneurship. We have worked to create spaces to offer different support tools through training, the granting of economic funds and accompaniment so that the participating salvadoran projects can scale their businesses".

Highlights of the FGK's Business Incubator 2022: In a follow-up report of the Incubated Companies in 2022 carried out by the FGK, it is revealed that 100% of the entrepreneurs who participated will continue their projects (immediately).

Having a 100% rate indicates how successful this program was and the impact it had on all of them. It is clear from this report that the program is aligned with different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 agenda since the participants are social entrepreneurs, or impact entrepreneurs, so the SDGs are an integral part of their proposals. Themes on "Educational Work and Economic Growth" was the area of greatest impact, with 7 projects focused on this SDG. At the same time, given the current context, in the post pandemic recovery, it was very interesting to see that the other areas of greatest impact were on "Good Health and Wellbeing", "End Poverty" and "Quality Education".

"Our project "Learning about Mental Health" was born as an experience of our family with my diagnosis of bipolar type 1.  We started the project with my father and it is a 12-episode documentary series for television, which deals with issues of how people who face mental health problems go through different difficulties, starting from childhood, the reality that we have to live.

The Incubation program of the Fundación Gloria Kriete helped me to organize our ideas, to set clear and achievable goals, I am grateful for all the support of the Foundation and my family, this is the beginning of a new stage in which I will have the opportunity to help many people through our entrepreneurship", said Andres Choto, social entrepreneur who participated in the Business Incubation Program 2022 of the FGK.

The Fundación Gloria Kriete through the Ayudando a Quienes Ayudan program invites entrepreneurs and mentors to join this second edition of the Business Incubation Program.

Translated by: A.M