Start-Up Chile - Application Questionnaire
Note: this document is for your preparation purposes only. You must submit your application using the online form. No printed applications will be accepted.
Answers to questions have a maximum number of words.
1. Startup Information
ARCorp will be based on a recently-identified geological concept, which can be used for worldwide exploration of
valuable mineral substances. The company will define prospective ground, explore it, and benefit from mineral
discoveries. The strategy could lead to find some of the world´s largest ore deposits, producing significant new
wealth.
• Service: discover valuable new mineral deposits
Startup URL I must produce a suitable webpage, which can be a daughter page of LOGEMIN
That can be composed by my 2-page CV, a PDF presentation, this overview document, and a link to the video.
En página web, incluir la carta de recomendación que me hizo Raúl Madrid. Indicar que él fue un geólogo que
me conoció bien, y que conocía de mi valía como geólogo de exploración.
Online video pitch, please put URL here (Pitch us in 3 min or less. Please answer 3 questions:
• Why are you the perfect team to lead this startup?
• What problem are you solving?
• How will you socially impact Chile?
Provide the YouTube or Vimeo link and NO password protection please. The video should be in English
and please present the founding team in person on the video. REQUIRED.)
Text of the video
Contemporary society consumes a range of mineral raw materials which must be replenished. They are
indispensable for modern life. ARCorp will locate new sources for the necessary mineral-based raw materials,
required for the future and continual development of humanity.
Hello, my name is Alberto Lobo-Guerrero. I’m a mineral exploration geologist and entrepreneur. I seek for
multiple types of deposits in the Earth’s main mining regions. Studies at four internationally recognized centers of
excellence and working at my family consulting firm in applied geology taught me many skills. As a seasoned
geologist, I understand ore deposits profoundly. I’ve planned and executed exploration programs in many
geological environments, have a sound understanding of the international mining industry, and bring along a 20years’ network of contacts within the world mining and geological scene.
I now want to build a company based on a novel geological concept, discovered while working in Africa. The
concept helps to identify prospective terrains for some of the world’s richest ore deposits. A range of mineral raw
materials to manufacture fiber-glass, batteries, fertilizers, homes, all sorts of machines and even nuclear power
may be discovered there.
Most of ARCorp’s initial activities will be executed by 9 mineral exploration geologists and support staff to be
contracted. The team will have the necessary skills to explore and market discoveries. Each member must be
fluent in English and at least one other language such as Arabic, French, Russian, Mandarin or Portuguese.
That will enable us to operate effectively in most parts of the world.
When asked how I can impact Chile, I answer the following: My wife is a Chilean pre-primary school teacher. We
met in Viña during 2000, and married in 2002. I have friends, colleagues and relatives in the country. My family
and I would be delighted to live in Chile.
I offer 34 technical talks and five short courses to the Chilean community. These may be given in Spanish or
English, and cover many different topics. Some are useful for society at large, others are for a specialized
audience of geologists. By means of my talks, I could make a significant contribution to the country and its
people.
In addition, I can create awareness among Chilean entrepreneurs of the possibilities of setting up new miningrelated business in fields other than copper. That may help diversify the country’s mining industry, which is the
foundation of its economy. Apart from that, my company may eventually end up exploring in Chile, and may
contract a portion of its geologists locally. Finally, Chilean industries and investors may be interested in
becoming ARCorp’s investors or clients.
Our logo is based on a Tartar bow. That single piece of technology enabled a Central Asian nomad group to
conquer the two most powerful empires of its time: Rome and China.
Refer to webpage for further information.
End with the contact information screen.
This has to be included somewhere in the documents for Startup Chile
I must explain that a matrix of prospective terrains will be produced, and it will be sorted in order of
priority after multiple parameters have been evaluated. These include social, technical, legal, political
and logistical aspects. And are shown on page 53 of the Presentation.
What phase of development is your startup in? (does not apply completely)
• Concept
• Working prototype in Development
• Functional Product with Users
• Scaling Sales
2. Executive Summary
What is the problem you are solving?
Our XXI-century society consumes a range of mineral raw materials which need to be replenished. They are
indispensable for modern life. Among others, everyday-use mineral-based products include electric engines;
mobile-phones; color screens; speakers, microphones; microscopes; electronic components; batteries; satellites;
optic fiber and glass; maglev trains, ships, airplanes and automobiles; metallic wires, bars, plates and pipes;
flooring, walling and roofing materials; nuclear fuels; and fertilizers. Shortage of mineral substances leads to high
cost of life, and eventually to war. ARCorp will locate new sources for the necessary mineral-based raw
materials which are required for the future and continual development of humanity.
What is your product or service?
ARCorp will discover new metallic and industrial mineral deposits. Our revolutionary geological concept and
exploration techniques will be used to locate favorable exploration areas. The specific geological environment,
made by large bodies of rock with particular chemical, geometrical and timing features, constitutes one of the
most fertile mineral provinces of the Earth. It is a primary source for major economic mineralization. The
proprietary concepts and methods, which cannot be patented, will be transferred to ARCorp’s staff for
implementation.
ARCorp’s investors will benefit because the company will create new wealth from the ground, based on the
discovery of ore deposits. In exchange for a percentage of ownership, discoveries will be transferred to new
joint- ventures with existing mining companies specialized in specific mineral substances. The new entities will
complete exploration and engineering studies, to eventually transform the deposits into producing mines.
ARCorp shareholders’ value will increase in the process. Discoveries may also be sold.
Once located, and defined with a degree of certainty in legally-held ground, a deposit of a demanded mineral
substance has an immense value. Capital invested in finding it may be significantly less than what it is worth.
That’s why concept-based exploration in highly-prospective ground is good business.
How far are you from having an MVP (minimum viable product)? Define what this would be in my case
• MVP is Done
• 1 month
• 3 months
• 6 months
• 1 year
• 2 years
[The concept of minimum viable product does not apply directly in the case of this mineral exploration startup.
Given the research and exploration activities required to locate new mineral deposits, and chance events (luck)
involved in the process, sellable or marketable products may not be available during the first five years of
ARCorp’s activity. This is typical of large-scale mineral exploration ventures, which involve a calculated search
for substances present in nature.]
Who are you selling your product/service to?
The products of ARCorp will be spun-off to new mineral exploration joint-ventures, or sold to existing mining
companies or industries that want to control their own mineral raw materials. New ventures will be made with
mining companies specialized in exploration and development of specific mineral deposits. Some industries
consume large amounts of particular mineral raw materials and are willing to integrate vertically to source them
directly. Such is the case of certain large construction conglomerates; battery, electronic component and
automobile manufacturers; groups of jewelers; metal refineries and smelters, to name a few.
Canada, Australia and other nations to a lesser extent, have established stock exchanges and mining
corporations. Such corporations vary widely in size: from few multinational, multi-commodity “majors” with
dozens of producing mines, which tend not to explore for themselves but purchase somewhat developed
projects from others; to many smaller “juniors” with a single mine, or no producing deposits but mining
experience.
Over the past quinquenium, investment in mineral exploration decreased significantly, and junior mining
company number shrunk 95%. During the first term of 2015, approximately 150 to 200 such companies are still
active in the world; 10,000 industries may be interested in securing their own mineral raw products.
Who are your competitors and how are you different?
ARCorp’s key geological concepts are not in the public domain today. Most exploration mining companies focus
on specific substances and on a particular terrain. Our strategy is to explore throughout the globe in highlyprospective ground – in the very best ground – for a wide range of mineral substances which have a market. Our
“eyes will be open” for any suitable mineral concentrations which are identified during fieldwork and other
exploration activities. We will be able to profit from any mineral discovery. Such exploration scheme is
uncommon today; funds from the stock exchanges for exploration activities are difficult to obtain; very few
companies are seriously looking for new deposits; grassroots conceptual exploration around the world is rare to
non-existent.
For these reasons, we consider there is no significant competition in world-wide exploration for multiple mineral
substances, based on new concepts. In order to continue having that competitive advantage, ARCorp’s new
geological concepts must be kept confidential. Exploration activities of the company must be carried out under a
low profile. Once the concepts are openly known, it will be much harder to identify suitable areas of the world in
which to explore without competition, and profitability of the entire operation will decrease.
How does or will your startup make money? How would your revenue model scale?
ARCorp will profit by selling off its discoveries or by spinning them off to operating mining companies, in
exchange for a percentage of ownership. Revenue will grow as exploration in the prospective terrains advances.
Company value may increase between one and two orders of magnitude, at the end of the first six years of
operation. Capital required for that period is US$ 7 million. The budget has been broken down into main items on
page 59 of Presentation. Future re-investment or capitalization will enable ARCorp to explore the terrains of
subsequent priority, or directly build mines in suitable discoveries.
Why are you and your team members the perfect team to lead this startup?
As a seasoned mineral exploration geologist, I understand ore deposits profoundly. I developed the geological
concepts which support the new company. I’ve planned and executed exploration programs in many geological
environments, have a sound understanding of the international mining industry, and bring along a 20-years’
network of contacts within the world mining and geological scene.
Most of ARCorp’s initial activities will be executed by 8 polyglot mineral exploration geologists and support staff
to be contracted. Details of the team are included on page 140 of Presentation. The team will have the
necessary skills to explore and market mineral discoveries,
Do you have any mentors, advisory board members or consultants? (Yes, No)
If so, who are they? (Who is supporting your team? You can provide the LinkedIn profile.)
Include their short CV on webpage or presentation
ARCorp will have a board of advisors and a few consultants in key aspects of the business. We have been
carring out multiple projects together for a number of years. Pages 116 to 129 of the Presentation contain their
overview resumes. Page 132 lists their contact information, and the following table lists their main details.
Members* of advisory board and consultants supporting ARCorp
Name
Jaime Martínez Polo**
Alberto Lobo-Guerrero
Uscátegui
Werner Zitzman Riedler
Profession
Mining & Metallurgical
Engineer
Geologist
Industrial Economist
Julio Galofre
Balcázar**
David Lobo-Guerrero
Alonso**
Juan Carlos Galofre
Balcázar
Andrés Roberto Macías
Leal
Finance and
International Relations
Business Manager
Carlos José Ordóñez
Lega
Diego Acero
Mechanical Engineer
Jorge Enrique Estrada
Villegas
Finance and
International Relations
Camilo Rueda Martínez
Lawyer, businessman,
translator
Jason Heyward
Peter Ringdahl
Mining businessman
Geologist
Lawyer
Electrical Engineer
Electronic Engineer
Capacity
Technical advisor
Email address
martijaimee@gmail.com
LinkedIn profile
None
Advisor on mineral exploration
and logistics
Finance and business advisor
algu@logemin.com
None
wzitzman@cable.net.co
Finance and management
advisor
Mineral marketing, finance and
logistics advisor
Main legal advisor
julio.galofre@preceptor.com.co
co.linkedin.com/pub/wernerzitzmann/23/882/b27
co.linkedin.com/in/juliogalofre/es
Advisor on electronics,
geophysical equipment, airborne
robots and air photography
Advisor on flying robots and air
photography
Advisor on geophysical
equipment development and
maintenance
Finance and negotiation advisor
Advisor on motorcycles, as well
as on legal and negotiating
issues.
Mining business advisor
Industrial minerals advisor
david.loboguerrero@gmail.com
uk.linkedin.com/pub/david-loboguerrero/18/a95/b72/es
juan.galofre@galofreyasociados.com
co.linkedin.com/pub/juan-carloshttp://galofreyasociados.com/asociados.html galofre-balcazar/17/1a/502/es
amacias2005@gmail.com
None
cjordonez@cable.net.co
co.linkedin.com/in/camaradelaire
diego.acero@gmail.com
None
jorge_estrada71@yahoo.com
co.linkedin.com/pub/jorgeenrique-estradavillegas/41/126/530
co.linkedin.com/pub/david-camiloruedawilliamsonmartínez/68/836/2a4
None
None
strongtower.colombia@gmail.com
N.A.
N.A.
*An overview of their CV has been included on pages 119-129 of the Presentation.
**Individuals who will act as Recommenders.
What are the main uncertainties associated with your startup?
Finding suitable investors for ARCorp and selecting prospective terrains in which to carry out exploration are the
major hurdles to overcome. Mineral exploration always involves risk, for many factors enter into play. Even in the
most favorable ground, the minerals sought may not be present in economic concentrations, may be covered or
eroded, or perhaps never formed. These alternatives can only be defined after careful work and investment.
Such uncertainties can be conquered and risk reduced, by completing preliminary investigations, carrying out
the exploration in successive stages where increasing amounts of capital are invested, after gradually obtaining
encouraging results.
LinkedIn URL (Please provide the link to your public profile. Optional)
co.linkedin.com/pub/alberto-lobo-guerrero-sanz/34/759/4a3
and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/alberto.loboguerrerosanz
Tell us about your experience to date and how it is relevant to this startup?
On multiple occasions, I pursued startups with varying degrees of success, learning much in the process. Most
were carried out with my own capital, derived from professional activities. On some occasions, significant capital
acquired from friend investors had to be partially paid back, when the ventures were unsuccessful at early
stages and companies got liquidated.
I’ve gained experience dealing with governments, contracting, negotiating joint-venture and confidentiality
agreements. Also, studying mineral project-related markets, land valuation, social aspects, budgeting
exploration-to-development activities, and necessary marketing infrastructure sometimes needed. Difficulties
funding mineral-related ventures taught me what whets investor’s appetite and how to approach them.
What is your most significant accomplishment? How did you achieve this?
After completing my Ph.D. research in Southern Africa, I established LOGEMIN SA, a family consulting and
mining company. It operated successfully one decade, provided specialized consulting activities around the
world, explored a range of mineral substances under contract for clients, and evaluated a number of mineral
deposits for its own interest with its own capital. That includes complete conception and promotion of a 12 US$
million startup to explore for multiple commodities as base for new industries in Huila department, Colombia.
Partnering with electronic engineers, LOGEMIN built several geophysical exploration tools, differential GPS and
UAV for digital air photography.
Tell us about a time that you hacked a system (computer or non) or a time that you defied conventional
rules to do something great and why you are proud of this?
While exploring in Namibia, I discovered what could be the largest, richest, non-Chinese, heavy rare earths
deposit. I came across intriguing carbonatitic dikes and plugs scattered over a large extension. The stronglymagnetic dikes span tens of kilometers. Chemical analysis from samples collected revealed highly anomalous
values of rare earth metals. The idea was eventually sold to a Nova Scotia mining company; I negotiated a net
2% before-tax and before-expense royalty on any minerals produced. The deposit has been further explored, its
metallurgy tested, pilot-scale tests carried out. Construction of mine and processing plant is scheduled to begin
during 2015 (http://www.namibiarareearths.com/lofdal.asp).
How will you wow the Start-Up Chile community?
(Please describe how your personal networks will benefit the Chilean Entrepreneurial environment?
Start-Up Chile community may benefit from ideas about mining business fundamentals and industrial mineralsrelated business.
Chilean mining industry centers on copper. Other minerals present have not been developed as thoroughly,
including a number of industrial minerals, coal and metals. Chileans may build new companies to explore their
country and others. I can create awareness of these possibilities among potential entrepreneurs; that could help
diversify the mining industry, Chilean GDP main contributor. ARCorp will employ exploration geologists; a portion
of which may eventually be nationals. In addition, local industries and investors may be interested in becoming
ARCorp’s investors or clients.
Twenty-eight different technical talks are offered to the Chilean geological community
(http://www.logemin.com/eng/e1.htm). Six other talks and five 1- or 2-day short courses may be given (page
130-133 of Presentation). These contributions could be well received by members of Chilean universities, the
Geological and Mining Engineering Societies, and established mining industries.
How many startups have you worked on (either as an employee or the founder)? 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5+
Note: please include your current startup in the count
Of the startups that you worked on, how many were you a founder of? 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5+
Note: please include your current startup in the count
In how many different industries have you worked at? 1,2,3,4,5+
5. Recommenders
Julio Galofre? julio.galofre@preceptor.com.co, juliogalofre@hotmail.com
David Lobo-Guerrero? david.loboguerrero@gmail.com
Jaime Martínez Polo? Llamarlo martijaimee@gmail.com
Two of the geologists apart from my own family company who knew me well as an exploration geologist have
died over the past ten years. These were Raul Madrid, from Napa, California; and Luis Salazar Suero, from
Lima, Peru. Dr. Madrid wrote a brilliant recommendation for my Ph.D. research at the University of the
Witwatersrand.