Santiago Zavala is a Mexican entrepreneur turned investor who now runs 500 Startups in Mexico City. He has a very cool story and sheds light into the Mexican startup scene.
Outline of This Episode
[0:09] Introduction to today’s guest Santiago Zavala.
[1:22] The track companies have to follow to get help from Santiago’s company.
[3:15] Santiago’s background, growing up on the front end of tech in Mexico.
[5:20] The first online venture: a guitar oriented forum and community.
[12:04] Becoming known for rescuing floundering projects - as a high schooler.
[21:30] Leaving university and connecting with a new startup in Silicon Valley.
[26:49] How Santiago got into the investment side of startups.
[30:21] The first companies the VC came alongside - all from Santiago’s apartment.
[34:17] Lessons-learned in working with failing and successful startups.
[35:40] How Santiago connected with 500 Startups.
[38:02] Opening the application process to all of Spanish speaking Latin America.
[41:22] The changes Santiago has seen in the startup process in Latin America.
[45:08] Surprising things about a 500 startups demo day.
[49:03] Advice to Latin American founders trying to raise money.
[54:15] Santiago’s advice to governments and investors for supporting startups.
[58:22] What’s on the horizon for 500 Startups and Santiago?
