What Fundación Chile does

Fundación Chile is a Chilean public-private nonprofit corporation founded in 1976 and jointly governed by the State of Chile (through Corfo) and BHP (through Minera Escondida), with a 12-member board split evenly between the two founding partners. It operates as a national platform organization rather than a single-product entity, coordinating more than 160 partner institutions across government, private sector, academia, and international bodies to address three strategic pillars: addressing climate change, sustainable economic development, and inclusive human development. Over 50 years it claims to have generated over US$5 billion in economic and social value for Chile, including the credited role in building Chile's salmon aquaculture industry into the country's second-largest export.

The organization runs a portfolio of distinct technology and innovation platforms rather than a unified product: ChileGlobal Ventures (entrepreneurship and venture capital, having supported 4,000+ startups and raised US$30M+ in VC funds), Expande Minería (open innovation in mining with US$40M+ in technology contracts), startuplab.01 (Chile's first scientific-technological hub for deep tech, including Deep Build and Deep Scale acceleration programs launched in 2026), NEMa Technological Hub for New Energies in Magallanes (green hydrogen and clean energy), Hub Metropolitano (SME support), the Chile-Finland Technological Development and Transfer Platform (implemented with VTT), Decarb-volution (climate startup acceleration with IDB and Climate-KIC), and human capital programs (Digital Talent for Chile, Tekna, Sumar Saberes, Talento Digital).

Fundación Chile is funded through base public support from Corfo, private support from BHP, project-based revenue from companies, civil society organizations, public agencies, and international organizations (IDB, World Bank, EU, Climate-KIC), and ancillary space rental income from its Vitacura headquarters auditorium and meeting rooms. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. With approximately 180 collaborators across multiple offices, the organization distributes its services primarily through direct partnership engagement rather than commercial channels, and operates exclusively in Chile with selective international linkages through the Chile-Finland Platform and World Bank dialogues.

Name

Fundación Chile

Legal name

Fundación Chile

Website

https://fch.cl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Fundación Chile is a Chilean public-private nonprofit founded in 1976 and jointly governed by the State of Chile and BHP, operating national platforms for climate action, sustainable economic development, and inclusive human development across mining, energy, education, and entrepreneurship.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Development and Innovation Programs

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Finance Funds & Green Investment Facilities (BPADACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Development Finance & Blended Finance Facilities (BPADAOAD), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Sustainable development programs
• Startup acceleration services
• Open innovation consulting
• Workforce training initiatives
• Venture capital platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Santiago

HQ country

Chile

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Funding (Corfo): Base public support through Corfo (Corporación de Fomento de la Producción), Chile's economic development agency
2. Private Funding (BHP): Private support from mining company BHP through Minera Escondida Ltda., one of the organization's founding partners
3. Project-based Revenue: Funding through projects and initiatives with companies, civil society organizations, public agencies and entities, and international organizations
4. Space Rental Services: Rental of auditorium (up to 150 people), meeting rooms (Sala Embarque), terraces and gardens for events, workshops, and corporate activities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Fundación Chile is a public-private nonprofit organization that designs, coordinates, and implements sustainable development programs across Chile. Its portfolio includes startup acceleration (ChileGlobal Ventures, startuplab.01), open innovation for mining (Expande), bilateral technology transfer (Chile-Finland Platform), new energy hubs (NEMa), SME support (Hub Metropolitano), circular economy and clean energy initiatives, digital skills training, and venue rental services. Customers include government agencies, mining and energy companies, startups, SMEs, and educational institutions.

Product overview

Fundación Chile operates as a platform organization offering multiple distinct programs and initiatives rather than a unified product. The core portfolio includes startuplab.01 (scientific-technological hub for deep tech startups), ChileGlobal Ventures (entrepreneurship and venture capital area supporting 4,000+ startups), the Hub Metropolitano (SME support), and Expande Minería (open innovation for mining with US$40M+ in technology contracts). Additional initiatives span the Chile-Finland Technological Development Platform, acceleration programs (Deep Build, Deep Scale, Decarb-volution), sustainability initiatives (Entorno+Circular, ConvergEN+), and human development programs (Digital Talent for Chile, Tekna, Sumar Saberes). The organization also offers space rental services including an auditorium and meeting rooms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• startuplab.01 Chile's first scientific-technological hub focused on supporting deep tech startups from scientific validation to global market deployment. Part of the Chile-Finland Technological Development and Transfer Platform.
• ChileGlobal Ventures Fundación Chile's entrepreneurship and venture capital area that has supported over 4,000 startups and raised venture capital funds exceeding US$30 million. Manages investment portfolios and corporate venture capital initiatives.
• Hub Metropolitano Metropolitan Entrepreneurship Hub providing support for SMEs (small and medium enterprises), fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and productive development in the Santiago metropolitan region.
• Expande Minería Open innovation program for the mining industry that has generated technology contracts exceeding US$40 million, connecting mining companies with technological solutions and suppliers.
• NEMa (Núcleo Tecnológico para el Desarrollo de Energías Nuevas en Magallanes) Technological hub for new energies in Magallanes region, part of the Chile-Finland Platform, focused on transforming the region into a development pole for clean, low-cost energy solutions including green hydrogen.
• Chile-Finland Technological Development and Transfer Platform International cooperation platform supported by Corfo, implemented by Fundación Chile and VTT (Finnish research center), focused on sustainable mining, forestry bioeconomy, and intelligent regional development.
• Deep Build Acceleration program for deep tech startups focused on scientific validation and early-stage development, from the laboratory to market readiness.
• Deep Scale Acceleration program for deep tech startups focused on scaling from validated market product to global market expansion.
• Decarb-volution Acceleration program for climate startups supported by Corfo, Climate-KIC, and IDB, focused on decarbonization and climate technology solutions.
• Digital Talent for Chile (Talento Digital para Chile) Program focused on developing digital skills in the Chilean population, addressing the gender gap in technology and preparing workforce for digital transformation including AI impacts.
• Tekna Pilot program to develop pedagogical skills in technical-vocational education teachers, part of inclusive human development initiatives.
• Sumar Saberes Public-private partnership to improve learning outcomes through scaling effective educational initiatives, focused on foundational learning at school level.
• Entorno+Circular Circular economy initiative part of sustainability portfolio, contributing to more decarbonized and climate-resilient future.
• ConvergEN+ Energy and Positive Nature initiative focused on clean energy, water resources, circular economy, and environmental remediation.
• Space Rental (Auditorio y Salas) Venue rental services including auditorium (up to 150 people capacity) with audiovisual technology, Sala Embarque for strategic meetings, and terraces/gardens for events, all located at the Vitacura headquarters.
• Mining Safety Technology Solutions Initiative Initiative seeking technological solutions for improving safety in the mining industry.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over US$5 billion in economic and social value generated for Chile over 50 years
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• World Bank GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026Collaboration on regional dialogue about Latin America's mineral wealth potential. Event 'From Resources to Jobs: The Value of Minerals for Latin America' held in Santiago, bringing together authorities, ambassadors, mining executives, and international experts.
• City of Tampere (Finland)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026Collaboration agreement signed to deepen joint work on innovation ecosystems, startup and SME growth, human capital formation, and sustainable territorial development. Part of Chile-Finland Platform.
• SOFOFAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2026Strategic agreement signed with SOFOFA (Sociedad de Fomento Fabril) to promote technological innovation, productive sustainability, and industrial decarbonization. This partnership is part of Fundación Chile's 50th anniversary strategic agenda.
• Recycla ChileminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Waste management partnership for Punto Limpio program. Since 2022, the partnership has helped reduce 1,470 tons of CO₂e through recycling initiatives.
• VTT (Finnish Research Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementation partner in the Chile-Finland Technological Development and Transfer Platform, focused on sustainable mining, forestry bioeconomy, and intelligent regional development. Supported by Corfo.
• CabifyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobility partnership compensating 100% of corporate emissions (23,000+ km = 3,396 kg CO₂e neutralized) for sustainable corporate transportation.
• ANID (Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChile's national research and development agency represented on Fundación Chile's Board of Directors by National Director Alejandra Pizarro.
• Regional Governments (Atacama, Los Ríos)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with regional governments on territorial development initiatives, including participation in Chile-Finland Platform activities.
• Universidad Católica de ChileminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, where President Julio Pertuzé serves as Associate Professor of Engineering and Director of Master's in Innovation program.
• Climate-KICminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean knowledge and innovation community supporting Decarb-volution acceleration program for climate startups alongside Corfo and IDB.
• CCM-Eleva AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance for workforce prospection and labor force studies in Chilean mining sector, including 'Estudio de Fuerza Laboral de la Gran Minería Chilena 2025-2034'.
• ChileGlobal Ventures Corporate PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLarge companies engaging in Corporate Venture Capital initiatives through ChileGlobal Ventures platform.
• European UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with European Union for informative sessions with producers interested in Expomin 2027 mining exhibition.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sitra: Finnish Innovation Fund operating as an independent public fund that drives sustainable well-being through experimentation, foresight, and innovation programs. Comparable to Fundación Chile in being a publicly-backed, mission-driven foundation that brokers cross-sector partnerships and pilots new economic models.
• CORFO: Chile's national economic development agency and Fundación Chile's founding partner, funding innovation, entrepreneurship, and productive development programs across Chile. Closest domestic peer given overlapping mandates on innovation, mining technology, and SME support.
• IDB Lab: Innovation and venture arm of the Inter-American Development Bank that pilots market-based solutions for development. Comparable as a regional development financier backing startup acceleration and climate innovation, with whom FCh co-runs the Decarb-volution program.

Regional players

• Technology Innovation Agency (TIA): South Africa's public innovation agency that funds and supports technology development, entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystems. Comparable as a national innovation intermediary that channels public funding into startups and applied research.

Broad incumbents

• Innovate UK: UK's national innovation agency funding business-led R&D and innovation across sectors. Comparable as a larger, government-backed innovation platform that runs accelerator programs and convenes industry-academic partnerships.

Emerging players

• Skoll Foundation: Global foundation driving large-scale social impact by investing in social entrepreneurs and innovators. Comparable as a foundation deploying philanthropic capital into entrepreneurship ecosystems and systemic change initiatives.
• Lemelson Foundation: U.S. foundation that invents and invests in technology-driven social impact, supporting inventor-entrepreneurs and STEM education. Comparable as an innovation-focused grantmaking foundation that bridges invention, commercialization, and social outcomes.

Others

• Climate-KIC: European knowledge and innovation community funded by the EU's Horizon program to accelerate climate innovation through accelerators and partnerships. Comparable as a co-funder of FCh's Decarb-volution program and as an innovation community operator.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finland's applied research organization partnering with industry on technology transfer, bioeconomy, and smart regional development. Comparable as FCh's bilateral implementation partner in the Chile-Finland Platform.
• World Bank Group: Multilateral development institution that funds development projects and convenes global policy dialogue. Comparable as a strategic partner with whom FCh hosted the 'From Resources to Jobs: The Value of Minerals for Latin America' dialogue in Santiago.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fundacionchile
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQ-0KsduhYWzYl1rUtgw5nA
• Facebookfacebook.com/fundacionchile
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/32103
• Instagraminstagram.com/fundacionchile
• TikToktiktok.com/@fundacionchile

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments8 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fundación Chile