Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda has outlined a strengthened economic strategy designed to support local entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on women, residents over 50, and small businesses seeking to scale. The initiative expands access to financing, specialized training, and mentorship programs across Baja California.
The announcement follows a year in which more than 1,500 local projects received state support. Ávila Olmeda has directed the Secretariat of Economy and Innovation to prioritize efforts that reinforce the regional economy and create tangible opportunities for groups that have historically faced higher barriers to entry.
According to the administration, the goal is to prioritize projects with social impact, sustainable growth, and clear pathways for residents looking to launch or solidify business ventures. The governor noted that long-term economic progress depends on ensuring entrepreneurs have the tools to develop and stabilize their enterprises.
“Every loan, every training session, and every mentorship program we provide enables a woman or an entrepreneur to transform their environment, strengthen family income, and consolidate a project that contributes to the well-being of their community,” she stated.
State data shows that 1,571 productive projects were supported last year through financial aid, seed capital, or specialized guidance. Women led 58 percent of those initiatives.
Several key programs drove this effort:
- “50 y Más” supported 769 projects led by residents over 50.
- “Reactívate” assisted 409 entrepreneurs in launching or expanding businesses.
- “Despega” and “Capital Semilla” provided seed capital to 180 new ventures.
The Estrategia Corazones program provided an additional 6.74 million pesos to 518 small businesses in marginalized neighborhoods, prioritizing women and underserved entrepreneurs. Of those supported ventures, 352 were women-led and 166 were led by men.
In coordination with financial institutions, the state also facilitated 82 loans totaling 199.65 million pesos through programs such as PROEM, a national financing initiative aimed at helping mid-sized companies grow, modernize, or expand their operational capacity.
The strategy includes a significant educational component as well. Training in administration, digitalization, and finance reached 4,134 residents, nearly 60 percent of them women.
Kurt Honold Morales, Baja California’s Minister of Economy and Innovation, said the state plans to expand these efforts through new partnerships with academic institutions, innovation centers, and private-sector organizations to strengthen Baja California’s business support ecosystem.
