Top Image Caption: Karina Sotnik (left), Founder and CEO of WorldUpstart, and Francisco Jara Montecinos (right), a YLAI fellow, biotechnology engineer, and entrepreneur on location at BioLabs—a WorldUpstart partner that provides shared laboratory and co-working spaces.
World Affairs: Professional Programs
In the second feature story of Global Exchange Profiles, World Affairs spotlights another fellow-host partnership, highlighting how international exchange can spark innovation and collaboration across borders.
YLAI fellow Francisco Jara Montecinos, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of the biotech company Bionaute in Santiago, Chile, spent four weeks in Philadelphia taking part in a global exchange experience made possible through Young Leaders of the Americas (YLAI).
Francisco was among 10 entrepreneurial fellows from nine countries across the Caribbean, Central America, and South America welcomed to the city by World Affairs in May 2026.
Through its partnership with WorldUpstart, World Affairs connected Francisco with Karina Sotnik, Founder and CEO of the Philadelphia-based global accelerator, setting his exchange journey in motion.
To capture the spirit of these partnerships, World Affairs sat down with Francisco and Karina to have a conversation about the experience.
They discussed their thoughts on the fellowship and host experience; community impact; cross-cultural exchange; the City of Philadelphia; and closing reflections.
Ultimately, these partnerships aim to connect YLAI fellows—who are also emerging global leaders—with experts, thought leaders, and nonprofits driving impactful work across Philadelphia’s innovation ecosystem. Through these collaborations, fellows gain opportunities for meaningful professional exchange while advancing their entrepreneurial and professional growth.
Below are highlighted excerpts from our conversation:
World Affairs: What interested you most about participating in the YLAI fellowship program?
Francisco Jara Montecinos:
“…[the YLAI fellowship program] gives you the opportunity to actually live in a new ecosystem and reach out to different people about your business, and I think that’s a valuable experience…just being thrown into a real ecosystem that is outside your country.”
World Affairs: How has this experience influenced the way you think about innovation or entrepreneurship?
Francisco Jara Montecinos:
“I think innovation is everywhere. The thing is, how do you experience it? How do you grow it? [It’s] a very different [experience] depending on where your resources are and where you [live].
I come from a country that actually has a lot of innovation…But something that’s very different [in Philadelphia compared to Chile] are the resources that you have to actually scale your business.
Coming here to Philadelphia and [gaining] the experience of how to grow a business in a very rich ecosystem—I’m not only talking about money—but about connections, about people, and about collaborations, has opened my eyes about how you can scale science with the correct partners.”
World Affairs: What was your first impression of Philadelphia, and has that changed since arriving here? And what have you enjoyed most about the culture or people in Philadelphia?
Francisco Jara Montecinos:
“When I first got placed here, I thought, ‘Why Philadelphia? Why not New York or Boston, a few hours away? Why Philadelphia for biotech?’ Now…I don’t want to leave. And actually, I’m coming back.
When I got here [to Philadelphia],…the first thing that I saw was the beautiful city…and what I like is the connection between the modern and very old buildings, [which are] very well preserved.
…then I [thought], ‘Oh, very good luck.’ I was invited to a networking event by Karina and started talking to people. It’s like Karina said, [this ecosystem] is more collaborative, which is really reassuring.
I think people here want to help you. They are very warm. It’s different from other cities. But they are also very direct. So, sometimes it’s a cultural shock…but then you understand that everybody here is like that [direct and honest]. They’re helping you actually.”
World Affairs: What will you remember most from your time here as a fellow?
Francisco Jara Montecinos:
“Something that I really like—it’s not about business and not about networking—it’s about how beautiful this city is when you’re riding a bike.
And actually, Andrew Hesbacher [a World Affairs staffer] told me about it. [He said], ‘You should grab a bike.’ And I got a subscription for the Indego bikes. And now I go everywhere by bike. If I want to go…to the pier, I go by bike. And everything is 10 to 15 minutes away from where we are [located].
So, something that I’m really going to miss is just stopping work and going on a ride—all around the city.”
During his placement, Francisco worked closely with WorldUpstart’s Founder and CEO, Karina Sotnik; along with Managing Director Stephanie Vogel; and Communications and Program Lead Brianna Amato; as well as the rest of the team.
To date, WorldUpstart has supported nearly 100 companies through its accelerator program, but none have come from Chile. As part of the exchange, Francisco helped WorldUpstart better understand Chile’s market and innovation hubs to help support new outreach with Chilean startups.
In return, Francisco gained access to WorldUpstart’s accelerator resources, which participating companies pay to receive. He learned about the FDA approval process; establishing a legal presence in the United States; and other key considerations for entering the U.S. market. The experience created mutual value, expanding WorldUpstart’s global reach while equipping Francisco with practical tools to support Bionaute’s strategic growth.
World Affairs: Why is it valuable for WorldUpstart to participate in international exchange programs like YLAI?
Karina Sotnik:
“We think innovation is international…science is international. I don’t think there are any borders in that, and so if we can assist innovation to be cross-border, this is what we’re here to do, basically.”
World Affairs: What goals did you hope Francisco would gain from this four-week experience?
Karina Sotnik:
“We wanted Francisco to experience Philadelphia’s ecosystem. It’s a very rich ecosystem for companies like his…It’s a very collaborative environment. Everyone here works together really well. [Our goals are] to immerse Francisco in that [ecosystem]. We also want his company to find the right connections and possibly strategies to grow…to see themselves in the United States.”
World Affairs: What qualities or strengths has Francisco brought to the fellowship experience?
Karina Sotnik:
“I was really impressed with Francisco. After the first day, he talked to everyone, he engaged with everyone, and he followed up with a lot of people. [Francisco] really took advantage of this [experience], which is really impressive. I love it.
We were able to secure him space here at Biolabs, which is fantastic, so that he can be surrounded by other startups in the field and feel what it’s like to be in one of those hubs.
Francisco is focused, very accomplished, and doesn’t leave any stones unturned when it comes to the strategy for his business, which really impresses me.”
World Affairs: Have there been moments when Francisco offered a unique international or entrepreneurial perspective to your team?
Karina Sotnik:
“Well yes, you know, we don’t fully understand the Chilean ecosystem…and just how to approach where the clusters are. And, I have to say, that Francisco has been illuminating this [ecosystem] for us, which is very helpful.”
World Affairs: How do programs like YLAI strengthen international collaboration and understanding?
Karina Sotnik:
“Well, I think this [global exchange] worked really well. It’s not just done for the checkbox. It’s real work that’s being done by real people. It’s real engagement that leads to impact and an outcome.
And that’s what I like about the [YLAI] program. It’s not just…doing something for the sake of it. It’s actually impactful.”
World Affairs: What makes Philadelphia a strong environment for innovation and entrepreneurship?
Karina Sotnik:
“Philadelphia is so rich in innovation…a lot of start-up hubs. What makes Philadelphia, I feel, unique is the collaborative environment. People don’t work in silos here.
Sometimes companies, coming from outside of the U.S., only know Boston, New York, and San Francisco. And I feel like they’re missing out…Their money and their investors’ money will go so much further in places like Philadelphia.
And Philadelphia, I think, is an excellent case of perfect entry point for international companies to expand to the U.S. And then from Philadelphia, expand to other people.”
World Affairs: What lasting impact do you hope this experience will have for Francisco?
Karina Sotnik:
“We gained an amazing team member. We’re a very small team…and by having another member, we’ve basically tripled in size. Francisco also fits in really well with the team and he works very closely with my colleagues.
And now we have a friend in Chile.”
About WorldUpstart
Driving U.S. Growth for Life Sciences and MedTech Innovators. The U.S. healthcare market is the largest in the world—and also one of the most complex. For international companies, the path to expansion is filled with hidden risks—regulatory hurdles, complex reimbursement systems, and investors who demand U.S. traction before they commit. To gain fast traction and reliable growth in the U.S., companies need exceptional strategy and execution.
WorldUpstart helps shortcut that journey. With a proven track record of accelerating international Life Science and MedTech companies, we provide a clear U.S. expansion roadmap, connecting companies with decision-makers who matter, and preparing them to secure funding and partnerships faster.
About Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI)
Launched in 2015, the U.S. Department of State’s Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) empowers emerging business and social entrepreneurs from across Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States, to realize the full economic potential of the region’s citizens. Combining an annual fellowship, an active online network, and continuing activities organized by U.S. Embassies and Consulates, YLAI fosters prosperity, inclusive development, and democratic values.
About World Affairs
The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia is where continents, cultures, and ideas connect. As the region’s largest and longest-running international nonprofit, World Affairs opens doors between Philadelphia and the world through powerful speaker events, international exchanges, youth education, professional development, and curated travel programs. Since 1949, global leaders, Philly students, entrepreneurs, teachers, and citizen diplomats have come together at World Affairs to share stories, exchange ideas, and expand perspectives. Today, the invitation is open to all: to learn and discuss, to explore and host, and to experience Philadelphia—and the world—in new ways.
If you are interested in learning more or becoming a Phildelphia-based host organization, please contact Kyle Henry, Senior Manager of Programs, at khenry@wacphila.org.
Media inquiries, interview requests, and story-related questions may be directed to the Director of Communications at hknopf@wacphila.org or 267-802-1241.