Want more startups? You have to build from the ground up
Startups don't stand alone. Build the foundations, strengthen talent, and shape the environment and, then, entrepreneurship begins to thrive.
Resilient ecosystems aren’t built through startup programs alone. They are built by developing talent, expanding capabilities, and creating the right conditions for diverse ideas to grow. With offices across four regions of Peru and programs that reach entrepreneurs nationwide, Wichay Continental is laying the foundation for the country’s entrepreneurial future.
Entrepreneurship in Peru’s regions faces challenges that go beyond access to capital . Limited SME digitalization, the need for more ecosystem actors, and environments that struggle to promote innovation are all structural barriers for startup growth. Addressing this requires more connected and better-equipped regional ecosystems.
Driving talent before businesses
From this perspective, Wichay Continental, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub of the Continental University, has taken on a clear mission: strengthen the conditions that enable regional entrepreneurs to thrive. Its work reflects the university’s DNA: education as a life-changing force, and entrepreneurship not only as an economic activity, but as a mindset.
Within the university community, 8 out of 10 people either run a business or plan to start one. That figure explains why Wichay goes beyond incubation programs. Its focus is on building entrepreneurial mindset, skills, and critical thinking for different stages of a potential founder’s life.
Today, Wichay operates in Huancayo, Arequipa, Cusco, and Lima, with plans to expand to Ica and Ayacucho. In each city, it seeks to build community, connect stakeholders, and bridge regions. Its role as a Regional Dynamizer under the Program for the Dynamization of Regional Ecosystems of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (DER) of the Ministry of Production in Arequipa and Cusco confirms its ability to activate ecosystems locally.
This philosophy is grounded in a powerful conviction. As Franz Vásquez, Head of Wichay Continental, explains:
“The real gap in the regions isn’t startups, it’s empowered entrepreneurs. We start with the individual: shaping mindset, strengthening skills, and expanding networks. When people grow in vision and capability, scalable and innovative ventures naturally follow.
Through this work, Wichay Continental identified a key reality: the number of startups in the regions remains limited. Rather than forcing outcomes, they chose to address the roots. If more startups are to emerge, the foundations must be strengthened first.
This means supporting entrepreneurs from traditional sectors in developing innovation and digital capabilities.
Continental Digital Center: a necessary step
Under this vision, the Centro Digital Continental launched to accelerate SME digital transformation across Peru’s regions. The project received support from ProInnóvate through a S/ 3.7 million fund (approximately USD 1.1 million). Beyond funding, this endorsement validates a proposal grounded in territorial experience and an understanding of regional gaps. The projected impact consists of over 1,000 companies that will receive training in digitalization and innovation.
This milestone also stems from a strategic strengthening process that included the support of Federico Restrepo, Swiss EP Expert. As Alex Balbín, Coordinator of Wichay Continental, notes:
“The support was key for us. Beyond technical knowledge, it inspired us and reinforced a strategic conviction: if you want to win a fund, you must commit to it 100%, structure it properly, and build a solid proposal from the start.”
Today, the Centro Digital Continental represents a concrete step toward stronger, innovation-ready regional ecosystems. More importantly, it reinforces a core conviction: if we want more and better startups in the regions, we must first strengthen the foundations.