Journalist
Park Sae-jin, Im Yoon-seo
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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INTERVIEW: Start-Up Chile CEO says real startups solve real problems through technology Javiera Araneda, CEO of Start-Up Chile, speaks during an interview with AJP at the Global Startup Center on Apr. 23. AJP Han Jun-gu SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - To Javiera Araneda, CEO of Start-Up Chile, a startup isn't just a trendy business idea or a sleek new app. At its core, she says, a real startup is about purpose—and that purpose starts with solving a problem. “In our view, a startup should be tech-based,” Araneda said in an interview with AJP at a startup pitching and networking event held in southern Seoul on Wednesday, hosted by the Embassy of Chile in the Republic of Korea. “But more than just using technology, the technology needs to sit at the heart of what the company is trying to do. It should be the tool that delivers value, and addresses a problem that actually needs solving.” Araneda was in South Korea leading a delegation from Start-Up Chile, one of the world’s pioneering public accelerator programs. Founded in 2010 by the Chilean government, the Santiago-based initiative was a bold experiment at the time. The initiative offers equity-free public funding, not only to local startups but to founders from around the world. “It was a little crazy,” she said, “but it worked.” Fifteen years on, the program has backed over 3,000 startups and supported more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from 100-plus countries. Its alumni include four unicorns and dozens of companies that have made their mark across Latin America. Today, Start-Up Chile runs three main tracks -- Build, Ignite, and Growth -- designed for early-stage to scaling companies. Selected startups receive non-dilutive grants of up to 80,000 U.S. dollars, along with co-working space, mentorship, and access to a wide network of corporate partners and investors. When asked what separates startups that survive from those that don’t, Araneda didn’t hesitate. “It comes down to the team,” she said. “Ideas are easy. What matters is execution. How the team delivers, how closely they stay connected to their users, and whether they’re solving something that truly matters.” She recalled hearing a successful founder once say, “You want your customer’s hair to be on fire. That’s the kind of urgency your product should address.” Building something polished is fine, she added, but not before confirming that someone actually needs it. As part of her trip to Seoul, Araneda met with South Korean startup founders and government representatives to discuss potential collaborations. South Korean startups, she noted, are already making inroads in the Latin American market through Start-Up Chile. “We’re fully open in terms of industries,” she said. “We’ve seen shifts over the years—fintech and blockchain had a big wave, then edtech and healthtech during COVID. More recently, biotech and climate-focused startups have been on the rise. What matters most is whether there’s a meaningful fit with the Chilean or Latin American market.” Startups don’t need a Chilean office to apply, she added. “You can apply from Korea, no problem. If you’re selected, we just ask that someone from the team comes to Chile for the program. We’ll help you get set up, and yes, we support branch establishment.” The accelerator also runs a dedicated program to support women entrepreneurs. Its “Female Founder Factor” initiative aims to close gender gaps in tech and startup leadership. In the Build program, at least half of the selected teams must be women-led. “We want to highlight these stories and build a strong, global network,” Araneda said. Asked why Chile should matter to South Korean entrepreneurs, she replied, “We’re a small country, but we’re open, connected, and very startup-friendly. We’re a great place to pilot, scale, and expand into Latin America. Our programs are in English, and the community is incredibly diverse. You don’t need to speak Spanish to start.” Start-Up Chile’s latest global call for applications is open through May 9. “If you’re a Korean founder thinking globally, this could be the opportunity you’re looking for,” Araneda said. 2025-04-24 14:33:29 -
World-OKTA to hold Andong expo as planned, hoping to spark recovery after wildfires SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Despite recent wildfire damage in North Gyeongsang Province, the World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations (World-OKTA) has decided to move forward with its annual global convention and business expo in Andong later this month. The 26th World-OKTA Leaders Convention and 2025 Korea Business Expo Andong (2025 KBEA) will run from Apr. 28 to May 1, drawing over 2,000 participants from Korea and abroad. The decision to proceed was made after careful deliberation in light of the region’s losses, with organizers emphasizing the role of the event in supporting local recovery. “We are committed to creating a wave of healing,” World-OKTA said in a statement, describing the gathering as a step toward rebuilding rather than a moment of pause. Last month’s wildfires hit several areas in North Gyeongsang Province, including Andong, Yecheon, Yeongju, Bonghwa, and Uljin. According to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute, visitor numbers to key sites in these five cities dropped by 18 percent year-on-year in March alone. Local governments have since launched emergency campaigns such as “Hope Travel Promotion” and “Hope for Andong,” aiming to bring back tourists and revive the economy. Public-private cooperation is being encouraged, and World-OKTA’s decision to stick with Andong as the host city is seen as a welcome boost. The group hopes the expo can serve three goals at once: helping with wildfire recovery, supporting the overseas expansion of small and medium-sized Korean companies, and driving economic activity in the region. With thousands of guests expected, organizers anticipate a ripple effect across lodging, dining, transport, and tourism sectors. This year’s expo will feature more than 240 domestic companies and roughly 1,000 overseas Korean entrepreneurs and buyers. Export consultations and product showcases are expected to help local firms connect with new markets abroad. To ensure the benefits reach the local economy directly, World-OKTA is changing how it runs the event. Instead of a single official dinner, guests will dine at restaurants across the city, including in Andong’s historic Hahoe Village. All attendees will also receive local vouchers to encourage spending in neighborhood businesses. A fundraising campaign for wildfire victims is also underway. Donations collected from World-OKTA members around the world will be delivered during a special ceremony at the event. There are also plans for a tree-planting event, dubbed the “Hope Tree Planting,” to help restore the forests lost in the fire. The saplings donated during the event will be planted in consultation with Andong City, and the reforested area is expected to be named “OKTA Forest.” Organizers hope the space will stand as a living symbol of resilience, community, and a shared future for the global Korean business network. 2025-04-24 11:03:04 -
Start-Up Chile CEO promotes collaboration with S. Korean startups at Seoul event SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Start-Up Chile CEO Javiera Araneda called for deeper cooperation between Chile and South Korea in building a global startup ecosystem on Wednesday during a pitching and networking event held in the southern Seoul district of Gangnam. The event, hosted by the Embassy of Chile in the Republic of Korea at the Global Startup Center, brought together about 60 participants, including startup founders and entrepreneurs from South Korea and other countries. The session was part of Araneda’s four-day visit to South Korea aimed at fostering cross-border innovation partnerships. “Latin America is a huge market. With over 650 million people across 20 countries, it’s a region full of problems looking for solutions, and you are the solution makers,” Araneda said during her keynote presentation. She introduced Start-Up Chile as “the first public acceleration program in the world,” founded by the Chilean government in 2010 to support tech-based startups, both domestic and international. Araneda described the program as “an experiment that really paid off,” citing recognition such as being named the top accelerator in Latin America and ranking in the global top 10 in 2018. “We attract and accelerate startups so they can have high impact. We want to help you get from point A to point B as fast as possible,” she said. Start-Up Chile currently offers three programs -- Build, Ignite, and Growth -- tailored to startups at various stages of development. These include equity-free public grants ranging from 16,000 to 80,000 U.S. dollars, as well as co-working spaces, expert mentorship, and corporate connections. Araneda highlighted Chile’s strategic advantages for South Korean startups looking to expand globally. “Chile is a small but highly connected country. It’s a perfect pilot market and a bridge to the rest of Latin America,” she said. “We have strong government support, great digital infrastructure, and multiple global trade agreements. It’s easy to do business there.” She also pointed out the growing presence of South Korean startups in the program’s portfolio, stating, “Chile is the most represented nationality, of course, but it’s followed directly by Korean startups. So, we are beginning to connect with the South Korean market in earnest.” The CEO also presented Start-Up Chile’s “Female Founder Factor” initiative, which promotes gender equity in tech entrepreneurship. “We want to create role models and success stories. At least 50 percent of selected startups in our Build program must be female-founded,” she said. Participants also heard from Ms. Maricruz Larrea, CEO of Farmtastica, a Chilean smart farming startup currently expanding its business in Asia. Both leaders encouraged Korean founders to apply to Start-Up Chile’s open call, which runs until May 9. “Start-Up Chile is for entrepreneurs who think globally,” Araneda emphasized. “We don’t care where you come from. Only where you’re going.” 2025-04-24 09:51:32