Chile is becoming one of the best places to build a startup, but most of the early-stage entrepreneurs we speak to aren't aware of the local tech resources that are available to help them.
With applications for the Chile Founder Institute now open, we're excited to release the Chile Startup Resource Guide, which is currently in Draft v3 below! It was developed by the Chile Founder Institute and local leaders: Adrian Jofre (CEO, MITRA), Felix Halcartegaray (Partner and co-founder, Atexa), Pablo Ambram (CEO)
This is just a draft, and while we spent many hours on this research, more input is needed. Please leave your comments on this collaborative Google document to help us complete the list. There are definitely omissions on this current version.
Are you looking to build a startup in Chile? Then apply to the Chile Founder Institute today!
Text version included below, for ease of searching:
Startup Stages
There is no one right way to build a technology company, but for the sake of simplicity we have outlined a basic, common, sequential framework.
1. Idea Stage
This is where new entrepreneurs get inspired, learn best practices, develop skills, validate ideas, and begin to build their team and product.
A. Inspire
- Chile Startup Media: Centralized local information, listings, and news. (i.e. startup blogs/ publications/ lists/ FB groups/ newsletters)
- Inspirational Chile Startup Events: Open, inclusive startup events that often focus on ideation. (i.e. Startup Weekend, idea fairs, and inspirational meetups)
B. Educate
- Best Practices: Beginner knowledge-sharing tech events. (i.e. beginner events that serve to educate more than inspire).
- Training & Feedback: Skill & Idea development events and startup bootcamps for entrepeneurs. (Includes comprehensive training programs, like Founder Institute, General Assembly, Lean Startup Machine, code camps, etc)
C. Validate
- Team Formation: Events for Finding Co-founders in Chile. (i.e. tech networking events or other resources that facilitate early-stage recruitment and cofounder matching
- Needs work
- Build First Product: Hackathons & product events in Chile.
2. Launch Stage
In this stage, entrepreneurs establish and formalize the company, develop the product, get feedback from customers, and prepare for the next step.
A. Start
- Establish: Chile law firms & banks for startups
- Chile Workspaces: Co-working and flexible workspaces for startups in Chile.
B. Develop
- Formalize: Chile accounting, development and HR tools for early-stage startups.
- Chile Incubators: Groups that prepare companies for seed investment and provide advanced mentorship. (i.e. advanced knowledge sharing, later stage events and resources)
- Needs work
C. Launch
- Chile Seed Accelerators: Seed funding mentor programs (Techstars-style programs that provide funding)
- Pitch & Demo Events: Tech events that showcase Chile startups for investment.
3. Growth Stage
Here, a startup proves their utility, receives recognition, and scales up. This usually requires funding, angels, VCs, and ways to connect them to startups.
A. Recognition
- Chile Investor Networking: Events and groups that connect professional investors with founders.
- Major Media: Mainstream local business press that often showcase local startups.
B. Funding
- Chile Angel Investors: Seed-stage investors and micro-vcs.
- Chile Venture Capitalists: Series A and beyond
C. Growth
- Infrastructure: Office space, HR, local business insurance. (i.e. office space/ HR/ insurance providers for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)
- Needs work
- Expansion: Chile Growth accelerators and consultants. (i.e. programs and business consultants for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)
4. Chile Startup Success Stories
Successful homegrown companies that have raised significant institutional funding, employ a large workforce, or have achieved liquidity.
Supporters
To facilitate the steps, every ecosystem needs strong supporters.
1. Chile Startup Leaders
Successful local founders who lead the ecosystem & frequently mentor newbies.
- Alejandra Mustakis
- Alan Farcas
- Allan Jarry
- Antonio Garcia
- Ariel Gringaus
- Carlos Honorato
- Claudio Barahona
- Cristobal Silva
- Cristobal Undurraga
- Daniel Ibarra
- Diego Fleishman
- Diego Garcia
- Felipe Henriquez
- Fernando Fischmann
- Fernanda Vicente
- Francisco Masjuan
- Gabriel Cid
- Gabriel Gurovich
- Horacio Melo
- Horacio Justiniano
- Iván Vera
- Josefa Villarroel
- Jorge Nazer
- Juan Pablo Tapia
- Juan Pablo Swett
- Juan Pablo Larenas
- Julie Macpherson
- Luis Cuezzo
- Marcelo Cicali
- Marcelo Guital
- Max Grekin
- Nathan Lustig
- Nicolás Shea
- Oliver Flögel
- Pablo Ambram
- Pamela Chávez
- Raul Rivera
- Roberto Musso
- Sandra Díaz
- Sebastián Ibañez
- Sebastián O’Ryan
- Stephen Stynes
- Tadashi Takaoka
- Tomás Berkovich
- Vanesa Kolodziej
2. Chile Government Startup Resources
Public organizations that facilitate local economic development
3. Talent
Major local business or tech universities and employers that attract and retain local talent.
- Local Chile Tech Universities (universities with prominent technical or business programs)
- Chile Tech Employers
Learn more about the Startup Ecosystem Canvas here, and leave us your thoughts on the Chile Canvas on this collaborative Google document (This is just a draft, and more input is needed!)
