A Google News Initiative program with support from SembraMedia
Pre-Launch Startups Lab Chile
GNI Startups Lab Chile is a 10-week virtual training program designed by Google News Initiative, in collaboration with SembraMedia, to promote the creation of innovative media in Chile with a focus on local and hyperlocal communities.
Journalists and entrepreneurs residing throughout the country who seek to combat disinformation by creating new media outlets are eligible to apply. Up to 10 people will be selected.
The call for applications will be open from July 25 to August 28, 2024.
About
GNI Startups Lab is a program designed by Google News Initiative that has been carried out in various regions of the world. This new edition in Chile is complemented by SembraMedia's training experiences.
The incubator includes training, mentoring, and exchanges with specialists to deepen knowledge on quality content, audience development, business models, and other fundamental topics for the sustainability of a media outlet, in addition to fulfilling the journalistic mission within a framework of ethical responsibility.
At the end of the program, participants will have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) ready to be launched.
Since the first edition of the program, more than 50 new media outlets or journalistic startups have emerged. Their founders come from different fields: they are professional journalists, citizens with social commitment, or entrepreneurs, and since completing the training, they have begun to change the narrative of reality in their countries.
Content
- Idea, mission and journalistic ethics
- Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
- Branding
- Audience
- Finance
- Leadership
- Sales pitch
Testimonials
“I am very happy to have gone through this program. I had wanted to start my own journalistic project for a long time but I never found the time or the moment to be able to dedicate myself to it. Therefore, when I was selected I felt that it was the right moment to focus all my energies on moving this idea forward. It was great to have the support of teachers and mentoring, to build a solid foundation for the project. Thank you for everything!”
Andrea Bonnet, PrismaTIC Director (Argentina)
“It was my first time with an MVP and what better way to be one! Learning the process from scratch, having guidance and support has minimized errors. Knowing the step by step, seeing the gradual progress and systematically applying each piece of knowledge has allowed me to recognize strengths and weaknesses, and work on them. I even feel like I can help others and I love that.”
Carla Carrera Ortiz, Valle Bambú Director (Venezuela)
Selection Criteria
- Application is free and open to anyone in Chile willing to create a new journalistic project.
- The submitted projects must focus on current Chilean news, events and topics that have a significant impact on the life of the country and its citizens: politics, economy, society, investigative journalism, etc.
- In order to apply, it is not necessary to have previous experience as a journalist.
- A jury of specialists appointed by the program management will analyze the applications.
- Applicants may be invited to discuss their ideas in more depth in personalized interviews.
- Emerging projects that have not yet been publicly launched or have been launched less than 6 months ago will be evaluated.
FAQ
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The selection process will be carried out by a team of representatives from Google and SembraMedia. All applications will be reviewed with the aim of consolidating a group that can work and learn collectively to achieve the program's objectives.
SembraMedia and/or Google may request additional information regarding the applications by email. Shortlisted applicants may be called for personal interviews to add information about their project.
All applicants will be notified of the selection decisions by email and those selected must sign a participation agreement with SembraMedia and Google.
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You will have until Wednesday, August 28 at 11:59 p.m., Chile time, to apply by completing this form. There you must provide relevant information about your idea or project and accept Google's privacy policy. Completing the form could take 20 to 30 minutes.
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- Projects focused on hard or breaking news that have a significant impact in the country.
- Projects focused on a single topic not limited geographically.
- Projects that have not yet been launched or have been published for less than six months.
- Content projects in podcast format, newsletter, series of events, application, videos or a website.
- Projects whose main users are journalists, traditional publications that seek to make the transition to digital or applications that are based on existing content will not be accepted.
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Journalists and entrepreneurs from all over the country can apply. This is a program that seeks to implement a federal approach, so the jury will prioritize regions outside of large cities.
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A minimum viable product (MVP) is a version of a product that will only have the features necessary to receive feedback that will guide its future development. An MVP serves to substantiate the value of the product to users or help refocus its concept, if necessary.
At the end of the program, you will have an MVP to test with a real audience.
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Please write to us at gnistartupslab@sembramedia.org if you have any questions or would like more information on whether this program is right for you.
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Google will process any personal data you provide in connection with this application in accordance with its privacy policy. Applicants may request that it be updated, deleted, or receive a copy of their responses by contacting gnidigitalgrowth@google.com
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You will receive an email from the program management within eight weeks of the application deadline.
About this initiative
This is a collaboration between:
The Google News Initiative provides tools for digital news to thrive. The GNI collaborates with editors and journalists to fight misinformation, share resources, and build a diverse and innovative information ecosystem.
Learn more at https://newsinitiative.withgoogle.com/es-mx/
SembraMedia is a non-profit organization that seeks to promote the success of digital media entrepreneurs so that they can sustain their independence, journalistic quality, and positive impact on their communities. Formed by a team of journalists, entrepreneurs, professors, and consultants from Latin America, Spain, the United States, and Canada, it represents a community of nearly 1,000 digital media entrepreneurs.
Learn more at https://www.sembramedia.org