South African start-up’s have the opportunity to bag US$40,000 from the Chilean Government and an information evening will be held in Cape Town next week.
The Bandwidth Barn, in Albert Road, Woodstock, will host the event at which Irish entrepreneur James Kennedy will speak about his experiences of the programme and how to apply.
Kennedy was part of the initial Start-Up Chile project as an Irish tech entrepreneur, setting up Mineral Rights World Wide and now managing a team of five. He has hundreds of customers “based everywhere from Silicon Valley to Dubai”.
“Start-Up Chile is hands down one of the best opportunities for seed stage companies out there at the moment,” Kennedy told HumanIPO. “Unfortunately many people don’t know about the program and those that do often rule themselves out in the application process.”
Kennedy said Start-Up Chile is for “tech entrepreneurs at the seed stage of their idea” and further explains entrepreneurs “don’t need to have a prototype, but they do need to demonstrate that they are capable of executing their concept”.
This means that entrepreneurs should have some form of track record “to back up their tech savvy.”
The programme was set up in 2010, and while the Chilean government does not ask for any equity it does require them to spend the full amount within six months and grants a work visa for 12 months.
HumanIPO reported last week the Western Cape Government is “seriously interested” in embarking on a similar project to entice international start-ups to set up shop in South Africa.
The event is on Tuesday, December 11, at the Bandwidth Barn, 66 Albert Street third floor, Woodstock, and starts at 6pm.
Piehole.tv will be providing refreshments. To attend, simply RSVP by clicking here.
