Emprender Mujer opens a new call for applications so that 240 ventures in Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín can receive support and scale their businesses.

• Emprender Mujer is a business-strengthening program designed to support women entrepreneurs through courses, mentoring, networking, and access to exclusive resources. It also offers a comprehensive ecosystem that combines education, tailored support, and commercial opportunities to help strengthen their businesses.
• Women interested in applying can submit their ventures at https://www.emprendermujer.co through February 16.
• This is the eighth Emprender Mujer call for applications and the first to be held simultaneously in the country’s three main cities.
• The initiative is led by Grupo Argos, Bancolombia, Impact Hub, Proantioquia, Protección, Comfama, and Brandex. Since its launch in 2021, 928 women have participated in Medellín, Cali, Bogotá, Barranquilla, and several subregions of Antioquia.
• Ventures that have taken part in the program report sales growth of more than 104% for urban businesses and nearly 318% for rural businesses after completing the support process.

In its 2025 cohort, Emprender Mujer will expand its reach to some of the country’s main cities, offering places for 53 entrepreneurs in Bogotá, 78 in Medellín, and 33 in Cali. The program is designed to support women business owners through courses, mentoring, networking, and access to exclusive resources, as well as a comprehensive ecosystem that includes education, tailored support, and commercial opportunities to strengthen their businesses.

“We are delighted to announce a new cohort of Emprender Mujer, a program that for four years has proven to be an important enabler of greater competitiveness and sustainability for a total of 928 women-led ventures across the country. Each new cohort reflects our commitment to building an ecosystem that promotes women’s empowerment and equal opportunities.”

María Camila Villegas
Executive Director, Grupo Argos Foundation

“At Protección, we celebrate the social impact Emprender Mujer has achieved to date—results that reaffirm our belief that women’s entrepreneurship is a transformative force. With this new cohort, we will continue supporting women entrepreneurs from different cities across the country, who, through their vision, determination, and collaborative work, are redefining the boundaries of entrepreneurship in Colombia while transforming their lives and those of their families.”

Cristina Restrepo
Vice President of Talent, Communications, and Sustainability, Protección

“Emprender Mujer is much more than a training program. It is a comprehensive strategy to strengthen businesses that are committed to doing good for society and the planet. Led by exceptional women, these ventures are finding their path to growth, and the tools and connections they gain through Emprender Mujer help boost their businesses, increase their impact, and consolidate their vision. Women’s leadership is key.”

María Isabel Acosta
Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Bancolombia

“Estamos muy emocionados por el impacto que Emprender Mujer ha generado en cientos de emprendimientos en nuestro país. Este programa no solo ha impulsado el crecimiento empresarial y la sostenibilidad de estas iniciativas, sino que también representa un compromiso compartido con la equidad de género y el fortalecimiento de nuestro ecosistema empresarial. Reconocemos la enorme responsabilidad de seguir construyendo sobre estos logros para ampliar nuestro alcance y generar aún más ingresos, empleo y oportunidades para las mujeres emprendedoras”.

Federico Restrepo, Co- fundador de Impact HUB

Five years strengthening a women-led entrepreneurial ecosystem

Emprender Mujer emerged as a commitment by Grupo Argos, Bancolombia, Impact Hub, Proantioquia, Protección, Comfama, and Brandex, with the goal of reducing the economic inequality gap, addressing unemployment among this population, strengthening the survival of ventures, and contributing to women’s workforce development in Colombia.

Overall, the program has engaged 928 women in Medellín, Cali, Bogotá, Barranquilla, and various subregions of Antioquia. Over a six-month period, participants received support and advisory services in areas such as leadership, finance, and marketing, as well as training in business development, entrepreneurship, and internationalization, among others. On average, participating ventures reported sales growth of 104.2% for urban businesses and 317.9% for rural businesses upon completing the program.