Building bridges for the future

BALLOON LATAM

Chile

BALLOON LATAM

Reducing wealth inequality through training in sustainable entrepreneurialism, business development, generation of commercial networks, and social gatherings that build bonds of trust between the privileged and the less privileged.

-39.428053598496, -88.1804

3rd

Chile is the third most unequal country in the OECD, based on the income difference between the richest 10% and poorest 10% of its citizens.^[1]

37%

of rural Chileans live in multidimensional poverty, which factors in health, education, safe work- and living conditions, income, and empowerment.^[2]

41%

of Chileans reported mistreatment last year because of social status or for being a woman; only 15% of Chileans believe most people can be trusted.^[3]

I feel very grateful to the mentors who helped me through this process. We were able to connect, share knowledge, and they showed us how we could become better entrepreneurs, reach specific markets, and improve our business models. I would encourage others to participate in these programmes, because they’re so enriching.

Oscar Aravena, beekeeper and founder, Esencias de Llaima

Our commitment

Building Bridges for the Future 2.0. by Balloon Latam and the Julius Baer Foundation tackles wealth inequality in rural Chile by:

identifying entrepreneurial communities and key local actors.

generating links and bonds between rural entrepreneurs and business people, higher education students and representatives from local organisations.
equipping rural entrepreneurs with skills and tools that drive innovation.
promoting commercial links and access to local, regional, and national networks.

Founded in Santiago, Chile, in 2011, Balloon is a social enterprise and Certified B Corporation (B Corp) that seeks to:

reduce wealth and opportunity gaps in rural Chile and
improve the wellbeing of its project participants.

Balloon’s keys to success include:

teaching entrepreneurial skills and
generating a shared vision of regional development through active programming.

In partnership with the Julius Baer Foundation, Balloon Latam has launched Building Bridges for the Future 2.0. In this extension of the original programme, participants from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds build solidarity, creativity, and skills together in intensive training and social bonding programmes.

Key milestones to be mentioned are:

Balloon Compact: linking businesspeople, university students, and other participants with rural entrepreneurs to promote training in innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Impact Accelerators: connecting mentors with entrepreneurs as they develop their businesses.
The Business Roundtables: providing opportunities for rural entrepreneurs pursuing ESG projects to connect with major corporations.
ENVIS: offering an annual chance for privileged and less privileged people to bond through open dialogue.