The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) chose Bogotá as the Latin American hub Director of the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities Center. With this new center, there now nine ICC entrepreneurship centers around the world in: Buenos Aires, Accra, Lagos, Nairobi, Beirut, Istanbul, Jakarta, Casablanca, and Bogotá. The center in the Colombian capital will be housed in INNOVALAB, the Chamber of Commerce of Bogotá’s Center for Innovation and Business Design.
The ICC’s intention with this new center is to promote entrepreneurial activity in Bogotá and the region, and contribute to the positioning of the city as Latin America’s “Entrepreneurship Capital”. According to Startup Blink 2022, Bogotá has the most startups of all Colombian cities, ranking in the top 100 worldwide for startups in e-commerce and retail technology as well transport technology.
Nicolás Uribe Rueda, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Bogotá (CCB, as per the acronym in Spanish) said that, "At the Chamber of Commerce of Bogotá we are focused on asserting the role of the entrepreneur as a relevant actor in society and on promoting Colombia’s economic reactivation. For this reason, our actions are aimed especially at 97% of the business sector that is made up of micro and small businesses and, in doing so, support entrepreneurs so that, at this juncture, they can undergo successful technological transformation".
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He explained that, in this sense, this initiative that seeks to promote transform Bogotá into a Latin American entrepreneurship capital is fundamental.
ICC Secretary General John Denton said, "I am delighted to launch our new Entrepreneurship Centre in Bogota to enable entrepreneurs, the smallest businesses, and start-ups to build the capacity and networks they need, not only to thrive and survive, but also to ensure they are mobilized to contribute to economic growth and a better future for more Colombians."
The Centers' mission is to support, prepare, connect, and mobilize the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders, providing people with opportunities to pursue meaningful livelihoods.
This center will have four specific purposes:
Inspire the entrepreneurs of tomorrow: It is hoped that everyone—especially young people—will have the opportunity to become entrepreneurs. For this to happen, they need to be given the skills of the future. The Entrepreneurship Center provides access to programs to prepare individuals with the skills necessary to become entrepreneurs who achieve success in an environment of constant change.
Digitalization of SMEs: SMEs account for 90% of global businesses, but many do not have the necessary tools and resources to participate in today's digital economy. The programs offered at the Center provide SME leaders with the tools needed to digitize their operations and access new markets.
Expand start-ups: The Entrepreneurship Center seeks to improve ecosystems for start-ups by providing training, coaching, and support services. These services will help entrepreneurs establish, finance, manage, and expand their new businesses.
Fostering Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurship provides social and economic opportunities for the entire population by creating jobs in the community. The ICC Entrepreneurship Centre leverages strategic partnerships to empower individuals and mobilize public-private solutions to overcome the constant deterrents to the entrepreneurial spirit.
The Center was officially opened today, in an event at the Ágora Bogotá Convention Center where leaders of regional and Latin American Chambers of Commerce were in attendance with along than more than 300 entrepreneurs.
