Crece tu Empresa

Crece tu Empresa (CRECE) is an ongoing program since 2015 in Central America with the support of the Citi Foundation. The objective of the program is to support young entrepreneurs to promote the sustainable growth of their businesses, by helping them develop their skills and business competencies.

 

Opportunity

The program works with entrepreneurs who have been in business for at least six months and are between 18 and 30 years old. Businesses from all sectors are assisted, the most frequent being commerce, design and fashion, food production, construction, interior decoration, and digital marketing services.

 

Strategy

Through Crece tu Empresa, TechnoServe staff supports entrepreneurs for 10 months with business training and personalized advice, working with them on creating a business model that will help to grow their business.

The first phase has a practical focus, which addresses topics such as business model creation, marketing, sales, and finance. The second phase provides personalized guidance to the entrepreneurs as they carry out their business plans, and helps them make additional market connections.

Results

From 2015 – 2020, the program operated in Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, and Honduras – benefitting around 700 entrepreneurs in the region. Participants reported a 51% average growth in sales and more than 250 jobs created.

Partners

The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. It invests in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagines approaches to building economically vibrant cities.

 

Contact

For more information, please contact Roxana de Díaz, Regional Program Manager at rmanzano@tns.org.