Cepaquevino wins the fourth round of Startup Weekend Santiago

Editor’s note: The following is a press release translated from Spanish to English from EmprendeUC.

The wine application “Cepaquevino” competed among a group of 12 startups, and after a weekend of intense work, with more than 100 participants from 10 different countries, it came in first place. “Kriket” and “Yupy” took second and third place, respectively.

After 54 hours of arduous work, “Cepaquevino” won the first place prize of this fourth round of Startup Weekend Santiago, organized by members of EmprendeUC and StartUp Chile, chosen by a jury from among 12 technology-based projects.

Paulina Sosa, global facilitator of Startup Weekend Santiago, noted: “The ideas, innovations, and teams were all very good, and what most caught my attention was that many managed to have a prototype by Sunday afternoon, not all do. Also, they have achieved much validation with clients, which is very positive.” Continue reading

Imagine Business Lab begins its first round of 2014 startup applications

Initiative gives support to ICT entrepreneurs to make Chile an innovation hub

SANTIAGO, CHILE – April 2014: Imagine Business Lab, an accelerator for information and communications technology (ICT) businesses, is opening its first application round for projects that contribute to and optimize the industry of ICT.

“We are looking to promote innovative businesses with high-growth potential that can contribute to the ICT industry and the Chilean market,” comments Pablo Traub, CEO of Imagine Business Lab. “We have created the ideal ecosystem to kick-start the enterprises and guide them in this challenge, thanks to the support of mentors, companies, and ICT specialists.”

The selected entrepreneurs will be granted up to $60,000,000 CLP ($100,000 USD), access to a meeting place for them and other entrepreneurs, numerous Microsoft startup support programs such as “BizSpark,” involvement in investment-generating activities, as well as training and capacity-building projects.

Continue reading

Nubelo closes seed investment round for $1.3M and acquires Prolancer, a Brazilian competitor

Founded in November of 2011, Nubelo is now the leading freelance marketplace in Latin America with operations in 11 countries in the region. It has over 102,600 users, 85,000 active freelancers on their platform and nearly 13,000 freelance jobs published at a value of over 5,000,000 Euros.

After participating in the 5th generation of the Start­Up Chile program, Nubelo has been profiled as one of the program’s most promising participants.

Today Nubelo announces the closing of a new investment round of $1.3M from local investors, lead by Nazca Ventures and supported by La Caixa Capital Risk, Finaves, and South Ventures. Continue reading

Start-Up Chile and Start-Up Brazil combined demo day

Monday, September 28, 2013 kicks-off a friendly match between two South American rival countries, Chile and Brazil, but their global stage won’t be a soccer field, it will be a stage for startups to present to a group of global investors. The respective countries have joined together to bring forth their best startups to showcase some of the best in Latin America’s growing startup and tech ecosystem.

We at AndesBeat recognize many of the Chilean startups presenting and have covered quite of few of them here during their very early stages of launching.

I’m so excited to represent Start-Up Chile and be part of the top 10 best projects of Latam to really show and compete for the entrepreneurial cause.
– Nick Martelanz Founder & CEO at Motion Displays and member of SUP Chile Generation 2

Continue reading

Thank you CHILE!! AndesBeat is going to La Idea semi-finals, New York city!

AndesBeat has been selected to present at La Idea’s semi-finals on November 14-15th in New York city, NY, USA. With heartfelt and tremendous appreciation Carlos Leiva Burotto aka Co-Founder Boy aka mi Chileno favorito and I would like to thank you Chile and the AndesBeat loyal readers and fans for being the inspiration for our work at AndesBeat. We launched on November 30, 2011 with big expectations and the intention to change the way people see and do business in Latin America.

On November 14-15th we will not present an ‘idea’ but our vision validated by your impact, your struggles and your achievements. We will be presenting to key influencers from the public and private sector related to all aspects of entrepreneurship and policy development in Latin America.

Remember when I wrote the (then) controversial post ‘Hecho en Chile’ and clearly told you my expectations of you as a community and a country in making big things happen in and for Chile? Today we see this vision becoming a reality every day in every way and we are deeply moved by the risks you are taking individually and together. Thank you Chile and AndesBeat readers for believing!!!

Continue reading

1,000 entrepreneurs and techies to attend RASU Fest, Chile!

From the first time I heard of these cats (RASU) I have admired their work and vibe they bring to the Chilean entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Now in their 4th year, RASU Fest returns to promote entrepreneurship in Chile with rockstar speakers and message of “If one can, we all can!”

A quick glance at the speaker lineup shows an all-star cast and a lot of familiar names. While I have not had the pleasure to personally meet Roberto Souviron, I can wholeheartedly say all the companies and people behind them, him included, have pioneered and disrupted the Chilean entrepreneurship, startup and tech spaces in their own right.  If you are local, it’s definitely worth hearing what they have to say about what’s next for Chile!

The RASU (Reset and Start Up) Fest returns to give everything they have in the name of Chilean entrepreneurship. Their objective is to democratize value creation from Chile and Latin America and, alongside the speakers who will be presenting, RASU hopes to motivate thousands of young Chileans to select digital entrepreneurship as a professional path and a viable, energizing lifestyle. Continue reading

Junior World Entrepreneurship makes its first appearance in Chile!

It’s the Year of Innovation in Chile and that means programming, activities and events for EVERYONE to participate in, from first time entrepreneurs and young people to retirees and the unemployed workforce who are looking for ways to reinvent themselves.

This week we are thrilled to bring you news that the Junior World Entrepreneurship Forum (JWEF) will be hosted for the first time in Chile. As addressed in this year’s Davos Economic Summit, with young people under the age of 24 making up approximately 40% of the world’s unemployment rate, youth unemployment is now considered both a global crisis and global responsibility  (Source: Global Agenda Council on Youth Unemployment).

This Global Forum on Youth Entrepreneurship will address topics and themes essential for building and nurturing globally competent young leaders throughout Chile. Additionally, the ideas and recommendations generated during these two days will be gathered in a white paper and presented in the 6th Edition of the WEF to be held in Singapore this November.

Continue reading

New BOMBAstars accelerator launches with USD $25,000 investment for startups

The Chilean underground startup ecosystem is finally starting to rise to the surface (meaning little known startups launched by Chileans).

Proving that startups can be successful outside of the popular government sponsored Start-Up Chile program, the team at BOMBAcamp has recently announced they have been successful in raising 100% of their first fund for their new BOMBAstars accelerator.  Geared toward startups in Latin America, the program will award USD $25,000  to up to 20 selected startups a year.

We’re super excited about it at AndesBeat because it’s one of the few models we have seen that is more aligned with accelerators and equity stakes with the states. Less than 3 years ago it was not uncommon to hear of local investors who took up to 40% equity in startups and offered no mentorship, training or access to networks in exchange.

Continue reading

StarTechConf 2013: General ticket sales with 15% discount begins today!

Editor’s note: This announcement comes courtesy of StarTechConf (Chile)

Chile’s StarTechConf inaugural event for the developers community in 2011 was a smashing success.  And this year’s event looks to bring much of the same! More than 1,000 people have pre-registered and confirmed speakers include the Creator of Django among other top global developers (see more speakers below).

The StarTechConf has already received presentation proposals from experts in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Russia, the USA, Chile, and Peru. For those interested in presenting at the event, applications can be sent via this link.

Continue reading

Countdown to Lean Startup Machine, Santiago, Chile

Editors Note: This information and FAQ’s comes courtesy of Lean Startup Machine Santiago. AndesBeat serves as one of the media partners for the event.

In T-4 days Lean Startup Machine is set to make its third visit to Santiago, Chile.

They are coming to help the entrepreneurs and startup founders of the world to help entrepreneurs fail faster, earlier and better so that ultimately they can improve their chances in succeeding.

Sad and harsh reality: 9 out of 10 ventures fail.

“The startups fail not because of lack of products, but for lack of customers. So why not first develop customers, understand their problems and thus know which products to develop? ”

– Steve Blank, creator of Customer Development methodology after launch (successes and failures) for over 35 years in Silicon Valley

Continue reading