What Does “Soft Landing” Mean?
Literally, soft landing means a smooth arrival. In the business world, it refers to the set of services and actions that help a foreign company enter a new market—minimizing risks, reducing entry costs, and accelerating local integration.
In a country like Colombia—rich in opportunity but marked by specific regulations—soft landing isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.
The Process: From Market Entry to Daily Operations
A well-executed soft landing involves guiding an international investor through every step of market entry: from feasibility studies to full operational setup.
It starts with understanding the local environment—conducting market analysis, identifying demand, studying competitors, and mapping out potential partners or clients.
Thanks to entities like ProColombia and local experts, foreign companies can access reliable data and connections to validate their business model. Before arrival, it's crucial to explore sector-specific regulations (e.g., sanitary registrations for food, data laws for tech), as well as incentives like tax benefits or special economic zones.
Collaborating with local professionals who understand Colombia’s legal framework, cultural diversity, and market dynamics helps avoid costly missteps. As experts often say, surrounding yourself with the right team—from legal and accounting to HR and logistics—can define the success of your landing strategy.
Keys to a Successful Business Landing in Colombia
Once a company decides to expand into Colombia, there are specific steps to follow to build a compliant and stable presence. These are the core pillars of a successful soft landing:
• Legal Incorporation
To operate in Colombia, a local legal entity must be created—whether a corporation, branch office, or joint venture. This includes drafting bylaws, registering with the Chamber of Commerce, and obtaining a Tax ID (NIT).
Expert legal counsel helps choose the most suitable structure (e.g., SAS – Simplified Stock Corporation) and handles registration with tax and foreign exchange authorities.
• Regulatory Compliance and Permits
Depending on the sector, companies must meet different legal requirements: sanitary permits for food/cosmetics, environmental licenses for industry, product certifications, foreign worker visas, etc.
A soft landing service should manage these processes directly. For example, 9A supports trademark and IP registration, and visa applications for foreign executives and investors.
• Local Infrastructure and Administration
Once incorporated, companies must begin operations. That means securing a physical or virtual address, opening bank accounts, and handling local accounting, tax, payroll, and HR.
Firms like 9A offer a legal address for immediate operation and manage treasury, payroll, and compliance tasks—freeing the headquarters from operational burdens.
• Talent Acquisition and Cultural Integration
Operating in a new country means hiring and managing a local team. Colombia has specific labor laws covering contracts, benefits, and social security.
Soft landing services include HR management: compliant employment contracts, social security enrollment, and intercultural training. This ensures legal compliance and a strong local organizational culture aligned with your company’s values.
• Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
Modern companies are expected to contribute positively to society and the environment.
Colombia promotes the BIC (Benefit and Collective Interest Company) model, and offers incentives for green projects. As a certified BIC firm, 9A supports clients in developing sustainability strategies, meeting environmental standards, and obtaining certifications that improve reputation and local acceptance.
Why a Multidisciplinary Local Ally Matters
Establishing in a new country is complex. Trying to do it through separate providers—lawyers, accountants, HR firms—can lead to delays, inconsistencies, and high costs, especially without local knowledge.
That’s why choosing a one-stop-shop soft landing partner is the smartest move.
At 9A Grupo Empresarial, we offer a full suite of services through a coordinated team of experts in corporate law, international trade, accounting, and sustainability. We become your reliable local office, handling the operational and legal details so you can focus on business development and strategy.
This approach brings real benefits:
- Speed (fewer delays)
- Compliance (everything under Colombian law)
- Adaptation (effective localization of your value proposition)
More Than Just Setup – Ongoing Partnership
Soft landing doesn’t end at incorporation. During the first months—and often years—companies face changing regulations and evolving market dynamics.
That’s why we provide ongoing support, helping you adjust operations, stay compliant, and connect with clients, institutions, and ecosystem partners in our network.
At 9A, we believe in growing together—because sustainable success comes from strong partnerships.
Conclusion: Why Colombia, Why Now?
Colombia offers fertile ground for international expansion: a growing economy, global trade access, and an increasingly sophisticated business environment. But entering without support can be risky.
A robust soft landing program is the best way to turn that opportunity into a sustainable success story.
With the help of an integrated local advisory team—like 9A Grupo Empresarial—foreign companies can not only avoid common pitfalls, but accelerate their integration, profitability, and impact.
At the end of the day, international expansion depends not just on market potential, but on how you execute your entry.
With the right guidance, Colombia can become your company’s next home—a place to grow, innovate, and make a difference.
