Inside the U.S. Expansion Journey of Startup Biobío’s Founders: Elpis Labs Joins the International Tour

Startup Biobío and Endeavor Chile brought a sharp, curious group of founders to New York and Miami — not for photo ops, but to understand how the U.S. market actually works from the inside. Elpis Labs joined them along the way, offering market-entry context and the kind of practical guidance founders usually only hear behind closed doors.

What unfolded was more than an international tour. It was real exposure — to expectations, to decision-makers, and to the realities that shape whether a startup can scale in the U.S.

Where Elpis Labs Contributed

As the delegation met investors, accelerators, and operators across both cities, our team stepped in to provide context founders rarely hear directly.

We discussed how U.S. stakeholders evaluate new companies, what signals they prioritize, and why traction from LATAM markets often needs reframing before it resonates in the U.S. We also worked with the founders on how to present their value in a way that matches U.S. buying cycles, customer incentives, and partnership dynamics.

For many teams, this became an important reference point — helping them connect the dots between their strengths and what U.S. commercialization actually requires.

Inside the New York Experience

In New York, the delegation visited IndieBio, Newlab, NYCEDC, VC offices, legal advisors, and several networking events. Founders tested their pitches, compared notes with U.S. operators, and received candid feedback on how American investors think about risk, differentiation, and timing.

Our interaction came during the KSC Deeptech Demo Day and the surrounding discussions, where Startup Biobío founders met global deeptech teams and engaged with investors and innovation agencies active across the U.S. and Asia.

The exposure was practical rather than theoretical — the kind that reveals how U.S. innovation ecosystems actually operate.

Photo by Startup Biobío

Inside the Miami Track

Miami offered a different but equally important perspective: soft-landing infrastructure, incentives, retail entry, and LATAM–U.S. cross-border networks. Meetings with SelectFlorida, NSU’s innovation center, Co-Work LatAm, PAG Law, Bci Miami, and Miami DDA gave founders a clear view of how companies establish early operations in the U.S.

With ManaTech and ProChile sessions rounding out the week, the founders left Miami with a much sharper sense of where opportunities exist — and what groundwork still needs to be done.

What Stood Out About the Founders

Across both cities, the group’s approach was consistent: they asked precise questions, pressure-tested their assumptions, and stayed focused on how to translate their product into U.S. terms.

From our perspective, this mindset — curious, analytical, and open to recalibration — is what gives founders the best chance of building internationally.

A Step Forward for Chile’s Global Ambition

Chile has long produced technically strong founders, but this tour underscored something more: many of them are ready for global markets, not just regional ones.

Engagements like this are crucial. They give founders access to decision-makers, frameworks, and market context that can’t be replicated remotely. We were glad to contribute to that process.

Photos by Startup Biobío

Participating Startups

The following startups from Startup Biobío’s Generation 4 took part in the New York and Miami tour:

Chef al Vacío, Califix Compliance, Twax Organic Waves, MODUTEX, Evofinan, DentRead, Trineo, Skid®, SmartPellet, VITECH by Fukai Data, Gonat.cl, Irracional Drinks

A diverse group spanning foodtech, compliance, biotech, consumer products, manufacturing, analytics, and sustainability — each with global ambition and regional roots.

Acknowledgments

Our thanks to Startup Biobío, Endeavor Chile, IncubaUdeC, CASA W, CORFO, Banco Bci, ProChile, and everyone who helped shape this international tour.

And to the founders — you represented Chile’s ecosystem with clarity and ambition. It was a privilege to support your journey.

Next Steps

Elpis Labs partners with international founders, government programs, and innovation agencies building pathways into the U.S. market.

If your organization is planning global expansion initiatives or preparing founders for U.S. entry, we’re here to collaborate.

Get in touch to explore how Elpis Labs can support your next phase.