Entrepreneurship is going from idea to action, from creating a handmade piece to developing digital platforms, because an entrepreneur transforms his ideas through his abilities and abilities into a profitable business. If you are ready to take that first step or you are a small business, or you want to expand your business, we invite you to learn about all the programs and services available that you could request, depending on your business stage.
¿Emprender o no emprender? Somos emprendedores por naturaleza. Todo proyecto personal o de negocio tiene el mismo origen: convertir en una realidad esa idea o deseo. Queremos escucharte y orientarte sobre las ayudas que ofrecemos, para que encamines tu idea o proyecto empresarial.
Establecer una nueva empresa o microempresa se está convirtiendo cada vez más en una opción real y alcanzable para toda persona con espíritu emprendedor.
Bajo los parámetros del DDEC, una empresa de nueva creación es aquella con tres (3) años o menos de operación, que genera un volumen de ventas promedio de tres millones de dólares ($3,000,000) o menos durante los tres (3) años contributivos anteriores al año contributivo corriente, y emplean a veinticinco (25) personas o menos a tiempo completo, o su equivalente.
Con las ayudas e incentivos que ofrece el DDEC, una empresa de nueva creación puede convertirse en una operación de negocios exitosa, con potencial de crecimiento.
The CUS is a “one-stop-shop” customer service area where both entrepreneurs and individuals interested in setting up a business can receive individualized guidance on DDEC services. Among the services are:
At CUS we have specialized personnel in various areas of business development, trade and export, young entrepreneurs, permits and incentives.
The purpose of this Purchase Reservation Program is to strengthen the local economy and create jobs, while providing an opportunity for small and medium-sized businesses to have a more active participation in the government's purchasing market. Interested companies must be certified by the Puerto Rico Trade and Export Program of the DDEC as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and must be part of the Single Registry of Bidders (RUL) of the General Services Administration.
The Entrepreneurship Center is a collaborative space that integrates spaces of coworking, meeting room and private offices in order to promote the recovery and growth of companies.
The Entrepreneurship Centers and their activities are subsidized by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and are free of cost.
These Centers offer an accessible and cost-effective alternative to entrepreneurs who want to make connections with their employees, meet with their clients or continue their operations in the event of an emergency.
For information from the Entrepreneurship Center, write to kayla.barrios@ddec.pr.gov.
El Puerto Rico Federal Contracting Center (FeCC), an APEX accelerator of the United States Department of Defense, is a division of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) focused on assisting local businesses to sell their products and services to the federal government.
The FeCC is part of a national network of APEX Accelerator, a program funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) through collaborative agreements, to assist businesses in the United States to sell their products or services to the federal government. The services offered by the FeCC are free of charge for any business in Puerto Rico interested in selling their products and services to the federal government.
The Puerto Rico Federal Contracting Center (FeCC) is funded in part, through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense (DoD). The content of written materials or oral communications from the FeCC do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of, or imply endorsement by, the DoD.
Access here to learn more about the services and workshops that the FeCC has for local companies.

If you are interested in working crafts or are already working on them, through the Craft Development Program you can request or renew the bona fide Artisan Certification.
The Program is responsible for identifying the artisanal product, according to the “Craft Development Program Act” Act No. 166 of August 11, 1995, as amended and the Regulations that regulate the process. It certifies the proposer as an artisan and provides a bona fide artisan identification, attached to the Puerto Rico Registry of Artisans, which is administered by the DDEC. This identification is renewed every five (5) years. It includes an orientation talk about the artisanal history of Puerto Rico and Law 166.
Expandir operaciones de un negocio es un próximo paso que como empresario deseas alcanzar. Esta oportunidad puede darse de varias formas, ya sea incorporando nuevos productos o servicios, insertando nuevas tecnologías en la operación, atrayendo nuevos clientes o explorando nuevas alternativas comerciales.
En el DDEC contamos con diversas ayudas e incentivos para que pueda fortalecer exitosamente el crecimiento de su negocio.
La exportación es una de las formas de expansión y de crecimiento más utilizados por las empresas. El DDEC, a través de la División de Promoexport, ofrece una serie de servicios especializados que facilitan la expansión de empresas locales hacia los mercados internacionales. Estos servicios están diseñados para atender las necesidades de nuestras empresas con capacidad de exportación en materias de mercadeo, asistencia técnica y capacitación.
La tecnología ha facilitado más que nunca el lanzamiento de una empresa nueva con potencial de éxito. Gracias a estas nuevas tecnologías e innovaciones, cada día representa una nueva oportunidad para hacer negocios, tanto presencial como de forma digital.
Who are we?
The Business Development area is a division of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC), which is the agency responsible for establishing the vision and public policy of economic development for the Government of Puerto Rico.
What do we do?
The Business Development Department manages the Economic Incentive Fund (FIE), established in Law 60-2019, known as the Puerto Rico Incentive Code (CIPR), and provides incentives to companies and industries based on the economic impact of their projects, job creation and return on investment, among others.
What is the Puerto Rico Incentive Code (CIPR)? - Law 60-2019
The CIPR includes all of Puerto Rico's tax incentives; including that of the DDEC's Entrepreneurship and Business Development area, which seeks to promote economic growth, competitiveness, exports and foreign investment, encouraging the creation of competitive jobs for local talent.
Download:
Regulations on Economic Programs and Incentives in the Department of Economic Development and Trade.