Chile Forum

Hi, i arrived in chile 3 wks ago (from NYC, but also am a Bay Area guy, and born/raised in Minnesota) as one of the many winners of the StartupChile big incubator for startups, which provides substantial funding without demanding equity. My startup's mission is to help couples have stronger happier relationships, especially those unable to afford a therapist. If we succeed well financially, i hope to use my profits to address the more root causes of suffering--income disparity. Anyhow, what i can offer:
> wrote pretty successful book on play and fun and zillions of original games for workaholics (so can do playshots, party icebreakers, etc
> teach fundraising and used to teach filmmaking (made many PBS investigative docs)
> can teach about all the biggest mistakes non programmer ceos make trying to start Internet companies
and am good vegetarian cook.
> know lots about Medellin

NEEDS: to meet courageous vibrant people, make friends and also:
find either 1) long term low cost housing (a room or even a couch in a house with neat roommates) starting ASAP, or
2) a more private short term place for anytime between Dec 7-17 when girlfriend visits. Since no car, i need to be walking distance from metro.
I guess i cannot give my email, right? Lemme know.

Im sure the chilean government has organised people to help you with your endeavour and provided knowledgeable chileans that will guide you and help you find somewhere to live? Who is your "padrino"? or are the "padrinos" more focused on partying?

Sorry for the smart arse remark, the startup chile program is not a popular subject on the forum

Anyway good luck with your project!

CoupleHelper wrote: the more root causes of suffering--income disparity.

Once you get over this silly notion, true enlightenment will be within your grasp.

zer0nz wrote:...

... the startup chile program is not a popular subject on the forum

...

Why not? As someone who knows nothing about it, what's wrong (and right) with it?

Hombre de Maiz wrote:

zer0nz wrote:...

... the startup chile program is not a popular subject on the forum

...

Why not? As someone who knows nothing about it, what's wrong (and right) with it?

In its original form, it excluded expats already living in chile meaning 95% of the people of this forum were not eligible
It was also disappointing to see the rules that were set in the original program were broken, and the Chilean government allowed anyone in....
its disappointing that the program allows the chilean government to spend significant money that at the end of the day is not going to allow a long term investment in chile, most projects pick up and leave once the money runs out....
I volunteered for the "padrino" program, but with-drawled after witnessing the bunch of amateurs the government allowed to assist in the program and the structure of the organisation, or lack of

Its good for you, and like i said good luck with your project, but not everyone agrees with how the chilean government has approached the project

I'm confused. Why would a Chilean couple ever hire a foreigner to provide relationship advice? I can certainly tell you that IF I ever had a marital issue, a foreigner who doesn't understand the cultural dynamics of the people or the country would be the last person I would seek help from. I hope you are more than just a little fluent in spanish, otherwise that would be another huge red X. Being able to communicate and understand the subtleties of the issues is key.

Sorry if I sound harsh, just providing perspective so you know what you may be up against.

waves wrote:I'm confused. Why would a Chilean couple ever hire a foreigner to provide relationship advice? I can certainly tell you that IF I ever had a marital issue, a foreigner who doesn't understand the cultural dynamics of the people or the country would be the last person I would seek help from. I hope you are more than just a little fluent in spanish, otherwise that would be another huge red X. Being able to communicate and understand the subtleties of the issues is key.

Sorry if I sound harsh, just providing perspective so you know what you may be up against.

he is not in chile to offer advice, he is in chile to develop a web product under the government free money for IT stratups,..............
95% of the products in the program are for international markets outside of chile,

the scam allows the people to come to chile for 6 months receive 20m pesos to live while they make there product, then leave.....

the idea of the scam is to establish chile as a Technology hub for the world...

zer0nz wrote:he is not in chile to offer advice, he is in chile to develop a web product under the government free money for IT stratups,..............
95% of the products in the program are for international markets outside of chile,

the scam allows the people to come to chile for 6 months receive 20m pesos to live while they make there product, then leave.....

the idea of the scam is to establish chile as a Technology hub for the world...

Really?! That's nuts. I guess Chile is betting some will stay on and then provide employment for Chilenos? I wonder if there are any stats on how successful that has been?

To the OP...what are your plans for month 7?

Haven't the "university students" gotten wind of this?

yeaaaaaaaa, not a fan. Goverment subsidized vacations for foreigners. Reminds of those competitions to win a vacation package where all you have to do is write an essay saying why you want to go. Best essay wins.

admin wrote:yeaaaaaaaa, not a fan. Goverment subsidized vacations for foreigners. Reminds of those competitions to win a vacation package where all you have to do is write an essay saying why you want to go. Best essay wins.

I take that back. I could actuelly see the economic benfit to Chile if the gov just gave away free vacations and ran some advertising on CNN or something. Perhaps win a free airline ticket to Chile program.