The Startup Builders
The Startup Builders is a Santiago-based venture studio founded in 2022 by four ex-Talana operators that systematically builds and operates HR-focused startups across Chile, Peru, and Colombia using a shared team and pre-seed funding model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersSantiago, Chile
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Startup Builders does
The Startup Builders is a venture studio founded in 2022 in Santiago, Chile, that systematically creates and operates HR-focused startups. It is led by four co-founders — Pablo de la Barra, Rodrigo León, José Antonio Akel, and Héctor Gómez — all of whom previously built and exited Talana, an HR-tech company acquired in 2021. The studio operates a shared-services model: a single six-person core team provides infrastructure, operations, and pre-seed capital, while each portfolio company runs as an independent entity targeting a distinct HR problem.
The Startup Builders firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Startup Builders
- Legal name
- The Startup Builders
- Website
- https://thestartup.builders
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Startup Builders is a Santiago-based venture studio founded in 2022 by four ex-Talana operators that systematically builds and operates HR-focused startups across Chile, Peru, and Colombia using a shared team and pre-seed funding model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Startup Builders industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Studio (HR Technology)
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design Services (541512)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Venture Studios / Company Builders (FSANAAAH)
Keywords
Where The Startup Builders is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santiago
- HQ country
- Chile
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Startup Builders business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Venture Studio / Startup Equity: The company creates and accelerates startups by providing core team, pre-seed capital, and strategic direction. Revenue is generated through equity ownership in the startups created, with successful exits (such as Talana in 2021) providing returns on investment.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
The Startup Builders product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Startup Builders is a venture studio that creates and accelerates HR-focused startups in parallel by providing a shared core team, infrastructure, and pre-seed capital. It applies a curated methodology to evaluate business ideas and, when approved, recruits entrepreneurial founders to operate each startup. The active portfolio spans an AI-powered compliance tool (Chapi), conflict-of-interest management software (Emplo), an HR services marketplace (Trego), digital outplacement services, and recruitment/executive search firms (Mandomedio, Insigni).
Product overview
The Startup Builders is a venture studio that creates and accelerates HR-focused startups using a shared team, infrastructure, and funding model. Their portfolio consists of multiple distinct products operating across the HR technology ecosystem: Compliance Tool (Chapi) provides AI-powered compliance automation; Conflict Check Software (Emplo) manages conflicts of interest; HR Services Marketplace (Trego) serves as an e-commerce platform for HR services; and Digital Outplacement (Emplo) handles employee offboarding. The portfolio also includes two portfolio companies—Mandomedio (recruitment services) and Insigni (executive search)—both operating in Chile, Peru, and Colombia. One failed startup involved customized B2B health insurance with HCM SaaS integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Compliance Tool (Chapi) AI-powered compliance automation tool that automates compliance processes, helps prevent corporate crime, and protects businesses for HR, compliance, and legal teams in organizations.
- Conflict of Interest Management Software (Emplo) Software that helps organizations identify and manage conflicts of interest, intended for HR, compliance, and legal teams.
- HR Services Marketplace (Trego) Online marketplace where HR teams can find and purchase all services required for daily operations and employee management.
- Digital Outplacement Service Service that helps HR teams and ex-employees handle the offboarding process in a structured manner.
- Mandomedio Recruitment Services Recruitment firm focused on professionals, technicians, and junior managers operating in Chile, Peru, and Colombia.
- Insigni Executive Search Headhunting firm specialized in middle-management executive search in Chile, Peru, and Colombia.
Quantifiable outcome
- 91% success rate for venture studio startups vs 90% general startup failure rate
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Startup Builders
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
The Startup Builders technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability2 records
Feature2 records
The Startup Builders partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MandomediocoreMandomedio is a recruitment firm in the portfolio, focused on professionals, technicians and junior managers in Chile, Peru and Colombia. It operates as a portfolio company under The Startup Builders venture studio.
- InsignicoreInsigni is an executive search/headhunting firm specialized in middle management in Chile, Peru and Colombia. It operates as a portfolio company under The Startup Builders venture studio.
- ChapicoreChapi is a compliance tool startup that automates compliance, prevents corporate crime, and protects businesses with AI. It operates as a portfolio company under The Startup Builders venture studio.
- EmplocoreEmplo is a conflict check software startup that helps organizations identify and manage conflicts of interest. It operates as a portfolio company under The Startup Builders venture studio.
- TregocoreTrego is an HR services marketplace where HR teams can find and purchase all services required for daily operations and employees. It operates as a portfolio company under The Startup Builders venture studio.
- TalanaminorTalana is a former portfolio company that achieved a successful exit in 2021. The founders of The Startup Builders previously served as CEO & Co-Founder (Pablo de la Barra) and CTO & Co-Founder (José Antonio Akel) at Talana.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Startup Builders competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Startup Builders social profiles
Digital presenceThe Startup Builders financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Startup Builders leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
The Startup Builders subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
The Startup Builders funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Startup Builders M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Startup Builders
What does The Startup Builders do?
The Startup Builders is a venture studio that creates and accelerates HR-focused startups in parallel by providing a shared core team, infrastructure, and pre-seed capital. It applies a curated methodology to evaluate business ideas and, when approved, recruits entrepreneurial founders to operate each startup. The active portfolio spans an AI-powered compliance tool (Chapi), conflict-of-interest management software (Emplo), an HR services marketplace (Trego), digital outplacement services, and recruitment/executive search firms (Mandomedio, Insigni).
Is The Startup Builders a public or private company?
The Startup Builders is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Startup Builders founded?
The Startup Builders was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Startup Builders based?
The Startup Builders is headquartered in Santiago, Chile, in the Latin America region.
How does The Startup Builders make money?
One revenue line is on record: venture Studio / Startup Equity.
Does The Startup Builders have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Startup Builders.
What industry is The Startup Builders in?
The Startup Builders's product category is Venture Studio (HR Technology). Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAH, Venture Studios / Company Builders. Its NAICS code is 541512 and its SIC code is 7372.