Startup Chile just opened the 9th round of applications this week and will stay open from now until October 1st with the winners being announced December 9th. In the round eight application process 1500+  startups from more than 60 countries applied for the right to come to Chile for $20m Chilean pesos (US$40,000). Chile invited 100 of the 1500+ companies who applied and they will begin to arrive in the next months.

Startup Chile has become more competitive as the number of applications has grown. Round eight saw applications grow and more than 1700 companies will likely apply to Round 9. More than 1000 companies have already gone through the program since the pilot round in 2010.

It’s a great program, especially for entrepreneurs who are bootstrapping or already have developed a product but need more time to figure out the correct business model for their business. It’s a perfect fit if you’re looking to target the South American market.

My company, Entrustet, was part of the pilot phase of Start-Up Chile and I’ve been in Chile since November 2010. I blogged extensively about my experiences in the program and in Chile, along with advice on how to get selected for Start-Up Chile. I tracked down the stats from the pilot round companies a year later, which was published on The Next Web. I also wrote Startup Chile 101, the book that will tell you everything you need to know about living, working and doing business in Chile and Chile: The Expat’s Guide

Since the third round, I’ve helped startups review their applications and prepare them to get accepted into Startup Chile. Overall I’ve now reviewed, 35 applications for prospective Startup Chile teams and 20 have been accepted.

Round 3 – 6/9 66%
Round 4 – 3/4 75%
Round 5 – 3/6 50%
Round 6 – 3/6 50%
Round 7 – 5/10 50%
Round 8 – 3/5 60%

Overall: 23/40 58%

In rounds five through eight, 6.2% of applicants were accepted into the program and 52% of the applications I’ve reviewed have made it. Many companies that have applied as many as three times previously were accepted after we worked together.

I can help you craft an application that emphasizes the criteria that the judges are looking for, correct your grammar into perfect English and give you the tips you need to have the best chance at getting selected.

If you need help with your application, please contact me. Editing, writing, review, advice. I charge a small flat fee to review and edit your application, plus a larger success fee if you are selected for the program after I’ve helped you.

Want help? Got questions? Want a quote? Email me: nate at nathanlustig dot com or fill out my contact form.

Note: I WILL NOT write paid letters of recommendation.