Female Founder Factor: Meet Priscila Silva from Gundo

Amid the launch of BIG 8, the next generation of our acceleration program, we took the opportunity to talk with an entrepreneur that went through Start-Up Chile in Build 4: Priscila Silva.

As the Team Leader of Gundo, the current Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of the nutritional app was able to participate in every instance offered by our acceleration program. In fact, during our interview, Priscila highlighted that she was able to collaborate closely with other entrepreneurs from the program and they even formed a group called “The Dynamites”.

Those kind friendships and connections are fond memories of her time in Chile as a Peruvian entrepreneur who is currently based in Spain. “Going to Chile was an incredible experience,” she told us.

What has been your biggest challenge as a startup founder?

My biggest challenge has been balancing long-term vision with the need for quick adaptation. Recently, the biggest challenge has been the pivot from a  B2C to a B2B model, which involved restructuring our product strategy and market focus.

What is something you wish you had known before starting this journey?

I wish I had a better understanding of the importance of the emotional well being and personal resilience in entrepreneurship. Mental health is as critical as a business strategy.

What do you believe are the main challenges that women in the current ecosystem are facing?

Women still face significant barriers such as limited access to investment networks that are predominantly male and unconscious bias in funding decisions, which can limit the growth and visibility of their projects. I also believe that some women still suffer from “imposter syndrome” and realize this as their projects make progress.

What advice would you give to someone looking to found a startup?

My advice would be to validate your idea with potential customers as soon as possible and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. Also, surround yourself with a team that shares your vision and complements your skills. Adaptation and iteration are crucial, as well as building a diverse team that can challenge and enrich your perspective.

What was your favorite part of the Start-Up Chile program?

Meeting other entrepreneurs and sharing everyday experiences with them! I feel that with the group that we formed, “The Dynamites,” we really empowered each other daily.

From the program itself, my favorite parts were the Pitch Day and Demo Day presentations because you could see the progress of all the startups in the generation and you presented all the work that you did in a very short time. Additionally, at Demo Day, I was awarded as “The Most Investable Startup” and it was a beautiful moment.

What was it like for you to come to Chile for the program?

Coming to Chile from Spain was an incredible experience. I was there for 4 months and made the most of it by making many connections and getting to know the city of Santiago. I made very good friends, with whom I still talk constantly. I did not expect the level of dynamism in the Chilean entrepreneurial ecosystem, I even found an angel investor at an event I attended.

For the startup it was a turning point, as we launched our mobile app and obtained our first real market validation, which was essential for our pivot to B2B.

Priscila’s “Special Things”

In life, not everything is business, and of course Priscila has a side that is not seen in Gundo’s corporate presentations. For example, she told us that she went with her family to support Peru in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. On a seemingly less football-related trip, she was bitten by a lion. Yes, a lion.

“When I went on a safari in South Africa, a 2-month-old lion bit me, but it wasn’t serious, and the moment was sealed in my mind”, says Priscila.

Well, that’s certainly something we won’t forget either.