Earthquakes, Hurricanes, & Cockroaches - The Puerto Rico Series (Part 3 of 3) | Sebastian Vidal on Defying Expectations, Overseas Exploration, and Founding Parallel 18
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Episode Description
Today, we sit down with Sebastian Vidal, founder of Parallel 18, a start-up accelerator that provides mentors and resources for aspiring Puerto Rican and international entrepreneurs. At Parallel 18, Sebastian has served as a judge and participant for many start-up focused events, including SXSW, Stanford Ignite, and the MIT Innovation Awards Español. Recently, Sebastian was invited to be the standing Chief Innovation Officer at the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust.
Born and raised in Chile, Sebastian has always been immersed in numerous cultures. From studying at a predominantly French-populated school in his hometown, to traveling through the Asia-Pacific, Middle Eastern, and European regions in early adulthood, to working in global wine export, and now, heading a Puerto Rican start-up accelerator, it’s no surprise that Sebastian possesses a well-rounded aptitude for cultural understanding and global curiosity.
An innovator by heart with a knack for tackling challenges, Sebastian is passionate about building community and lending help to those who take the road less traveled, because that’s exactly how he got his start. So with this in mind, let’s press play and learn how going against the grain led Sebastian to founding Parallel 18 in a part of the world people least expected: Puerto Rico.
Show Notes
Growing up Chilean: Sebastian takes us through his childhood in Chile and the upbringing that instilled diligence, discipline, and out-of-the-box thinking early on.
Pushing barriers: Sebastian discusses his early struggles with ADHD, and how in spite of the affliction, he continued to pursue a myriad of interests that defied the expectations of those who perceived him as incapable.
Multicultural mission: Motivated by a passion for discovery and multicultural exploration, Sebastian discusses his overseas experiences, from spending time with Aboriginals in New Zealand to trekking through Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Wine and dine: Sebastian talks about how his appreciation for all things multicultural landed him a job in global wine export.
Salesman, salaryman: Sales never started out as part of Sebastian’s career agenda, but as true as defying expectations is to the story of Sebastian’s life, it eventually became a venture he thoroughly enjoyed and cherishes even today.
Earth-shattering revelation: The 2010 Chile earthquake sowed immeasurable destruction within his community. Yet, from those broken pieces forged a new calling for Sebastian, one that set him on the path towards entrepreneurship.
Start-Up Chile: Sebastian reveals how an unexpected blast from the past propelled him towards Start-Up Chile, a Chilean-based global accelerator program for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Parallel 18: Start-Up Chile had fostered a global aspiration to build “start-up countries,” but Puerto Rico was a wild card that many had already given up on. Yet, always one to defy expectations, Sebastian sought to instill the same opportunities for Puerto Rico as he had for countless other nations. And the result of his gracious endeavor? Parallel 18.
Facing the storm: Sebastian describes the role of Parallel 18 in delivering efficient, productive solutions and support in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
COVID-19: Sebastian describes how Parallel 18 continues its accelerator mission amidst the pandemic.
Parting thoughts
Relevant Links
Dictatorship Historical Background (Article by Peter Read, 9/10/2018): https://theconversation.com/world-politics-explainer-pinochets-chile-100659
Start-Up Chile LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/start-up-chile/about/
Parallel 18 Interim Site: https://www.parallel18.com/
Parallel 18 Social Media Pages:
Chile Earthquake of 2010 - John P. Rafferty: https://www.britannica.com/event/Chile-earthquake-of-2010
Structural Damage from the Great Chile Earthquake of 2010 - University of California Television (UCTV): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSfdldHVwdc
Puerto Rico Battered by Hurricane Maria - The Guardian, 9/21/2017: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/21/puerto-rico-hurricane-maria-storm-floods
Entrepreneurs in Puerto Rico Are Solving Problems in Hurricane Maria’s Aftermath (Focus: Sebastian Vidal - Parallel 18) - Lydia Belanger, 7/14/2018: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/315099
In Puerto Rico, Building a Disaster-Proof Business is Part of Recovery - Molly Schwartz, 4/9/2019 (Focus: Parallel 18): https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/09/business/puerto-rico-parallel18-hurricane-economy.html
Parallel 18 Provides Funding for 39 Start-Ups Impacted by COVID-19: https://sociable.co/business/parallel18-puerto-ricos-government-backed-accelerator-provides-funding-for-39-startups-impacted-by-covid-19/
