Evaluation of Business Maturity in Entrepreneurs from Cotopaxi: Study Areas Latacunga, Salcedo, La Maná, Pujilí – A Practical Application of the Nexus 4d Tool

This study analyzes the business maturity of 33 entrepreneurs from Cotopaxi, province of Ecuador, evaluated using the Nexus 4D tool. These entrepreneurs are linked to an Impulsa foundation created under the ministerial agreement MIES-CZ-3-DDL-2019–3588-M, whose mission is to promote sustainable development, strengthen cooperative practices and promote the formalization of businesses in Ecuador. The assessment covered ten key categories, highlighting strengths in resilience, product/service development, legal compliance and social responsibility. However, technology scored the lowest, reflecting limitations in access, skills, and trend adoption. Intermediate areas such as finance, logistics and branding also show challenges related to transportation, marketing strategies and financial management. These results highlight the need for interventions focused on reducing technological gaps and optimizing business management, while taking advantage of existing strengths. This analysis offers a comprehensive vision of the opportunities and challenges faced by entrepreneurs, contributing to the strengthening of the business fabric and sustainable economic growth in the region.