Start-up Chile: go start-ups, go!

Editor’s note: see summary on Netexplo Digital Start-ups 2014.

Nicolas Shea, as founder of Start-up Chile, initiated a peculiar venture: its aim is to welcome startups in Chile, helping them to start their business using Chile as a platform to go global. Beyond mundane money appeal, Nicolas created a terrific game play for start-ups, valuating entrepreneurs’ social activities, resulting in building social equity. Below are a few extracts from Nicolas’ presentation at Netexplo.

Start-up Chile mission

Start-up Chile is a program on behalf of the Chilean Government that seeks to attract early-stage companies to start their business using Chile as a platform to go global. Its mission is to transform Chile into the leading innovation and entrepreneurial hub of LatAm. There are various incentives:

• One year work Visa;
• $40,000 nonequity seed capital;
• soft Landing and hospitality;
• Latin America networking and market access;
• Chilean cultural experience, language learning, and history making opportunity.

The magic social trick

A creative social gaming triggers start-ups networking:

• Start-up Chile asks all hosted start-ups to engage in social impact activities with the community;
• It shows Chileans that ‘it is possible’;
• Dedicated activities are focused on schools, sharing their experience as entrepreneurs;
• Giving specific tools such as business model, lean canvas, and more.

Susbtantial payoff

Start-ups entrepreneurs come from every part of the world:

Capital invested is over $50 m USD, 8 companies were acquired, and 1025 jobs created. Let’s zoom on some succes stories among the yearly selection of 300 start-ups:

1. WeHostels, ‘finding a hotel right from your phone’

2. Pact, collecting fines when you don’t achieve your weekly exercise goals, and pays out real money when you do!

3. SaferTaxi, ‘Book a taxi fast and free, and travel safely’

4. Nubelo, leading marketplace for freelance services

Apply now!

Accelerate your business while transforming a country, and experience a life-changing moment!

Next round is June 2014: Startupchile.org/apply

image credits: Start-up Chile, pulsosocial.com, WeHostels, Pact, SaferTaxi, Nubelo

Wait! Before you go…

Choose how you want the latest innovation content delivered to you:

• Daily — RSS Feed — Email — Twitter — Facebook — Linkedin Today
• Weekly — Email Newsletter — Free Magazine — Linkedin Group

---

Nicolas is a senior VP at Orange Innovation Group. Serial innovator, he set-up creative BU with an international challenge, and a focus on new TV experiences. Forward thinker, he completed a thesis on “Rapid Innovation”, implemented successfully at Orange, and further developed at nbry.wordpress.com. He tweets @nicobry