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Start-Up Chile is OK. Nothing more.

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Re: Start-Up Chile is OK. Nothing more.

#51

Post by rimbo789 »

deepGem wrote: post #8

One red flag- 100 working hours for getting all the paperwork done to get paid Otherwise, I think the program is pretty clear about it's objectives from the get go. It's about bringing techies/entrepreneurs from all over the world to start businesses in Chile. Expecting exposure to US investors is not fair I think. But the program should provide exposure to Latin American investors.

The 100 hours really surprised me. The rules are different for each round, but least for my team in the second round we have not had to spent that much time on it. We probably spent no more than 30 hours and that is generous. However I guess it depends on the type of company and the kind of expenses.

Overall I have found people's perspective on the program depend entirely on assumptions and expectations before they arrive. If you expect a suitcase of cash when you land, if you expect all the processes to be pre-arranged, if you expect to never have to deal with any bureaucracy, you will be in for a surprise. If you expect lots of opportunities to network and get connections, if you expect that the government will throw the odd curve-ball now and then, then SUP will be what you expect.

Re: Start-Up Chile is OK. Nothing more.

#52

Post by rimbo789 »

pawelwentpawel wrote: post #37

Thanks for a nice post. However, I'm still wondering about the networking part of this program. Where were most of the participants from? Was it Latin America? Also, were there any interesting people to connect with from Europe/US?

It depends on the round, but I'd say overall the US sends the most number of people in absolute terms, but they are not the majority by any stretch. There is a good number of Canadians, Europeans and Indians too. In my round there was a strong contingent from Brazil. Also there are a fair number of 'internationals' - people who have spent years living outside of their home country. Its a broad mix of people with all sorts of backgrounds.

Re: Start-Up Chile is OK. Nothing more.

#54

Post by ashray »

ragnarsass wrote: post #39
pawelwentpawel wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because it's not in estonian.

And if this in Chile, it have to be big hassle? Fine, then entrepenuers will simply ignore this country. Simplez.

I think the point was that there would be some obvious differences in systems. That doesn't mean that they aren't improving their system - it just isn't at the same place as Estonia yet. Not so hard to understand - right ?

Re: Start-Up Chile is OK. Nothing more.

#55

Post by IanOzsvald »

rimbo789 wrote: post #51
deepGem wrote: post #8

One red flag- 100 working hours for getting all the paperwork done to get paid Otherwise, I think the program is pretty clear about it's objectives from the get go. It's about bringing techies/entrepreneurs from all over the world to start businesses in Chile. Expecting exposure to US investors is not fair I think. But the program should provide exposure to Latin American investors.

The 100 hours really surprised me. The rules are different for each round, but least for my team in the second round we have not had to spent that much time on it. We probably spent no more than 30 hours and that is generous. However I guess it depends on the type of company and the kind of expenses. Overall I have found people's perspective on the program depend entirely on assumptions and expectations before they a…

Me again (Round 2) - I spent 2 days doing the first reimbursement (following instructions, taking advice from Round 1 people) and then 1 day or less for each subsequent monthly meeting (including having the meeting). Write-up from a few months back: http://ianozsvald.com/2012/03/24/this-week-in-startups-stron...

All in I'd expect 1-2 days per reimbursement meeting (including meeting time), less as you get better at it, less if you reimburse just a few big things (rather than lots of small stuff). Cash payments require less proof (less paperwork) than debit or credit cards (CCs require most). That's about all there is to it.

Re: Start-Up Chile is OK. Nothing more.

#56

Post by ajarmoniuk »

heretohelp wrote: post #33
amix wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had my laptop stolen at the Startup Chile office and the Startup Chile team helped me get it back because of surveillance cameras. I am the only person this has happened to (at least from what I know). I think you can get things stolen in any co-work environment and there is no way Startup Chile can control this (other than doing what they already do). If you are uncomfortable with the security aspect you can get a…

>. I think you can get things stolen in any co-work environment and there is no way Startup Chile can control this (other than doing what they already do). Sorta? My company incubated at StartX and we thought nothing of leaving our stuff on our desks while we left to do other things. The thought of having our things stolen was just unrealistic.

To turn tables round, not having to worry about my stuff left on the desk while working in a shared office is something unthinkable for me, as a Pole. Kinda envious.

Re: Start-Up Chile is OK. Nothing more.

#57

Post by IanOzsvald »

I spent today (Thursday) talking with the Executive Director (Horacio) and a few of the senior staff members. I presented this morning on Lean Startup processes for the newly-arrived.

I'm in Round 2, I've been giving feedback for months to the staff. The feedback I got today about changes they're making during Round 4 (for those just arriving now) is pretty impressive. If they carry it all off then the programme will be improved by a fair margin for subsequent Rounds.

The improvements are still under discussion but ought to address many of the mentorship/fund raising/expectation issues that have been raised (at least - I have cautious optimism that that's the case).

Disclaimer - I don't work for SUP, I'm almost finished here in Round 2, I've had my complaints during the programme but generally they're reacting/improving to the significant issues. Things are improving for every new Round.

Re: Start-Up Chile is OK. Nothing more.

#58

Post by etagwerker »

liispeet wrote: post #6
DanielBMarkham wrote: post #2

I like the idea of Startup Chile. After reading this article, I still like most of it, except for trust issues. I'm not in favor of video surveillance, but if I ran Startup Chile, I'd be adding some cameras all over the place. Maybe go to a badge system for building access and egress. Not being safe enough to leave your gear on the desk while you go to lunch or something is a big red flag that something's wrong. You…

Well there are cameras in the office, but still, the house is open and somehow it still happens, unfortunately too often. There are some new lockers now and people watch each other's stuff, but in general you're hanging around with your bag the whole day. And getting a monitor into the office is just out of the question.

It sounds like a problem that could be solved by proximity cards. Has this been suggested to the CMI personnel? Is it something that they'd implement?

I am starting Startup Chile at the end of July and I am seriously considering a shared office space, due to many reasons (security being one of them)

Re: Start-Up Chile is OK. Nothing more.

#59

Post by nico »

nirvana wrote: post #32
jot wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess it's luck of the draw. I don't envy Start-Up Chile's task of trying to find experienced mentors in Chile with time for 300 startups a year.

I think nico is talking about a CORFO program that I've only barely heard mention as a Startup Chile participant (someone else mentioned getting mentorship thru it, but I've never seen anything from Startup Chile on how we could participate).... while jot is talking about the padrino program. So, two different groups of people.

I was actually talking about the padrino program and the people I know who are padrinos for Startup Chile participants.

Re: Start-Up Chile is OK. Nothing more.

#60

Post by jQueryIsAwesome »

Just as a side-note I would like to mention that the Colombian government will soon start a similar initiative called "Apps.co"[0]; probably is going to be less attractive than Start-Up Chile but it haves to start somewhere. I would also like to mention that I am a Colombian developer willing to create a Start-up in this country; if that is also your case please get in touch (my email is in my profile).

[0]http://www.vivedigital.gov.co/appsco/ (Spanish)

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