This paper reports the diagnostic and preliminary design phase of “Redbuho”, a digital training platform for women entrepreneurs from the central region of Veracruz, Mexico. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design combined a 47-item self-assessment instrument (Cronbach's alpha 0.89-0.94), applied to 200 women entrepreneurs through non-probability institutional recruitment, with five convenience-selected qualitative cases drawn from respondents after the quantitative results were known. Legal/funding frameworks (M=2.72) and social and solidarity economy (M=2.81) were the lowest-rated competency dimensions, while financial literacy (56.5%) and digital marketing (55.5%) were the most requested topics. A three-band k-means solution was retained for instructional interpretation (silhouette=0.26, bootstrap ARI=0.86), although principal component analysis indicated the bands mainly reflect a general competency-level continuum rather than distinct multidimensional profiles. Access mode showed no significant association with competency band (p=.35), supporting separate decisions about learning pathways and delivery format. Qualitative cases identified informal family and remittance-based financing, structural market barriers, and a decision-execution gap. These findings informed a six-course, 42-unit program prototype with three different formats to reduce access limitations: planned online, offline-USB, and print distribution strategies. Limitations include non-probability sampling, unverifiable, self-reported competencies, and a scheduled end-user usability testing.

Keywords

Women entrepreneurship, social and solidarity economy, training platform, cluster analysis, and mixed methods.