For decades it’s been the dream of many young people across the globe to pursue careers in tech with the dream of one day landing a job in Silicon Valley. The world is a big place, however, and believe it or not Silicon Valley is not the wellspring of all things technological.
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But the ever-swinging political pendulum in the United States has resulted in a great deal of uncertainty about whether Uncle Sam is as welcoming to immigrants from the developing world as it once was.
Consequently many budding tech entrepreneurs, software engineers and programmers are seeking their fortunes in other tech hubs around the world.
Imagine being part of a tech startup, working in a vibrant community of young, ambitious, smart programmers, engineers and hackers–er, problem solvers.
The planet is peppered with tech hubs where young people from all over the world are launching their tech careers. For today I’m going to focus on Latin America. If there’s a region you’d like us to explore, just let me know by replying to this email.
Every time a young software engineer crosses a border to work, he or she is planting a flag, either intentionally or unintentionally. As their careers flourish they find themselves picking up a residency in Country A, a second citizenship in Country B, opening up bank accounts in Countries C and D.
Before they know it, they’ve got three, four, even five flags planted, without ever even hearing of flag theory! This is what I love about young people!
For starters we’re going to look at a very recent graphic showing the Top 50 Science and Tech Hubs as ranked by the Global Innovation Index. We’re not going to take these folks very seriously, though. You’ll see from the graphic below that there’s no representation in the Global South.
Note the complete absence of Latin America. (I’d advise against taking these people too seriously. This index is put out by the World Intellectual Property Organization; they measure hotspots of patent applications, thereby ignoring all advancement in open-source and the public domain. They assume those who go crying to the state seeking protection and restriction of their ideas somehow have a monopoly on innovation. But that’s a topic for another issue.)
Here are 17 Latin American tech hubs with bright futures. They’re in no particular order. (Keep reading to the bottom and we’ll see what ChatGPT has to say on the matter.)
Mexico City, Mexico This highly concentrated market is becoming home to a new wave of entrepreneurs looking for opportunities outside the costly, competitive confines of Silicon Valley.
Sao Paolo, Brazil São Paulo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is valued at US$108 billion.
Medellin, Colombia While this lively metropolis was once associated with a tumultuous past, it has emerged as a beacon of innovation, drawing tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs worldwide to its dynamic ecosystem.
Santiago, Chile The city's well-developed infrastructure, stable economy, and strong commitment to innovation make it an ideal tech hub.
Buenos Aires, Argentina Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina…boasts a vibrant startup ecosystem that fosters innovation and growth through various initiatives such as accelerators and incubators.
Recife, Brazil The combination of practical support and the sense of collaboration within the local tech ecosystem has helped bring in major companies, including automaker Stellantis, the cybersecurity firm Tempest…Neurotech…[and] consulting firm Accenture.
San Jose, Costa Rica more than 350 multinational corporations, including renowned names like HP, IBM, and Intel have established their presence in Costa Rica
Guadalajara, Mexico Since the mid-1990s, companies like IBM, General Electric, Hewlett-Packard, Oracle, and Motorola settled down in Guadalajara.
Curitiba, Brazil “The creation of the hub in Curitiba symbolizes the great movement that Siemens is making in search of an automated and decarbonized world.”
Florianópolis, Brazil has been the birthplace of successful ventures…such as RD Station…Neoway…[and is] home to global giants like Mercado Livre, Zoho, and Zucchetti.
Monterrey, Mexico is considered to be Mexico’s industrial capital, as large industrial corporations like Coca-Cola, FEMSA, and Cemex have their operational centers in this city.
Guanacaste, Costa Rica has very specific and favorable conditions as an attractive zone for companies in a new business and scientific sector that is known today as “New Space.”
Bogota, Colombia Colombia’s capital is home to at least 800 venture-funded startups, and 74% of Colombian startups that have raised capital are located in the ecosystem.
Santiago de Cali, Colombia The local talent market in Cali is known for having strong DevOps hires, and Cali’s globally ranked Universidad del Valle, Cali is fueling the talent pool.
Concepcion, Chile Talent pool estimate: According to recent data, there are around 75,000 IT professionals in Chile. Additionally, there are over 2,500 technology companies in the country.
Montevideo, Uruguay Numerous multinational corporations, such as Netflix, IBM, and Microsoft, have all set offices all around this land of approximately 3.4 million people.
Cordoba, Argentina Through tax breaks, training and an open innovation model, Argentina's Córdoba city seeks to become a knowledge economy service exporter.
Now, let’s ask ChatGPT “What are 10 benefits of pursuing employment in a non-US technology hub?” Here’s ChatGPT’s verbatim answer:
(Begin AI content) “Sure, here are 10 potential benefits of pursuing employment in a non-US technology hub:
Cost of Living: Non-US technology hubs often have a lower cost of living compared to major US cities like San Francisco or New York City, allowing for a higher standard of living with potentially lower expenses.
Diverse Cultural Experience: Working in a non-US technology hub provides exposure to different cultures, languages, and perspectives, enriching both personal and professional experiences.
Networking Opportunities: Non-US technology hubs offer unique networking opportunities with professionals from various backgrounds and industries, fostering connections that can lead to collaborations and career advancements.
Work-Life Balance: Many non-US countries prioritize work-life balance, offering more flexible working hours, generous vacation time, and policies that promote employee well-being.
Language Skills Development: Working in a non-English speaking country can provide the opportunity to improve language skills, which can be valuable for personal growth and professional advancement in an increasingly globalized world.
Access to Emerging Markets: Non-US technology hubs often serve as gateways to emerging markets, providing opportunities to work on innovative projects and gain valuable experience in rapidly growing industries.
Government Incentives: Some non-US countries offer government incentives, such as tax breaks or grants, to attract foreign investment and talent, making it financially advantageous for both employers and employees.
Quality of Life: Non-US technology hubs often offer a high quality of life, with access to affordable healthcare, efficient public transportation, and vibrant cultural scenes, contributing to overall well-being and satisfaction.
Career Growth: Non-US technology hubs can provide unique opportunities for career growth and advancement, with less competition compared to saturated markets like Silicon Valley, allowing talented individuals to stand out and progress more quickly.
Global Perspective: Working in a non-US technology hub fosters a global perspective, exposing individuals to different business practices, market dynamics, and regulatory environments, which can be valuable for navigating international business challenges and opportunities.
These benefits may vary depending on the specific location and individual circumstances, but they highlight some of the advantages of pursuing employment in non-US technology hubs.” (end AI content)
Thanks for reading.
Sincerely,
Gene Basler