FROM MANUFACTURING TO MIND-FACTURING: GUADALAJARA IS MORE THAN TEQUILA!
I recently had some downtime to decompress, so I took the opportunity to read a couple of Gartner reports (yes, I find reading them relaxing) and there is one that got me excited about what we are doing at VEscape Labs.
The report is called “Emerging Talent Hubs for IT Functions” and you can download it by just adding your email.
One of the key findings of this report is that six of the top 15 emerging IT hubs are in Latin America and two of them are in Mexico, specifically Mexico City and Guadalajara.
This finding validates the bet I made in Monterrey back in 2012 when I started the setup of a Technical Center there, and reinforces our current strategy at VEscape Labs to set up our operations in Guadalajara.
Mexico has quickly become a hub for emerging IT talent due to its growing economy and large population, and its proximity to the US makes it an ideal location for companies looking to tap into the country’s technological expertise.
These are some cities that offer a thriving tech scene and a large pool of IT professionals:
Guadalajara: Guadalajara is one of Mexico's leading tech hubs, often referred to as the Silicon Valley of Mexico. The city has a large pool of software developers, engineers, and other IT professionals. It is home to many of Mexico's most successful tech startups and has a thriving tech scene.
Mexico City: As the capital of Mexico, Mexico City is a hub for all kinds of industries, including tech. The city has many universities and research institutions, which means there is a steady stream of talent coming into the IT industry.
Monterrey: Monterrey is another emerging IT talent hub in Mexico. The city is home to several tech startups and has a growing community of IT professionals. It is also home to some of the country's top universities and research centers.
These developments make me extremely happy as Mexico is now being seen as a source of diverse professional talent beyond our well-known manufacturing capabilities.
THE BENEFITS OF LEVERAGING IT TALENT FROM MEXICO
Leveraging IT talent from Mexico offers many benefits, including:
High-quality talent: Mexico has a strong educational system, with many colleges, universities and technical schools that focus on technology and engineering. This means that there is a large pool of highly skilled IT talent available in the country.
Cultural similarities: Mexico has a rich cultural heritage and shares many cultural similarities with the United States. This can make it easier for companies to work with IT talent from Mexico, as there is often a shared understanding of business practices and cultural norms.
Cost-effectiveness: IT talent from Mexico is often more cost-effective than talent from other countries. The cost of living in Mexico is generally lower than in many other countries, which means that salaries for IT professionals are also lower. This can help companies save money on staffing costs while still getting access to high-quality talent.
Proximity to the United States: Mexico is located just south of the United States, which means that it is easy for companies in the US to work with IT talent in Mexico. This proximity makes it easier to collaborate on projects, hold meetings, and communicate in real time.
Bilingual skills: Many IT professionals in Mexico are bilingual, with fluency in both Spanish and English. This makes them well-suited to working with companies in the US and other English-speaking countries, as there is no language barrier to overcome.
The key reasons why we chose Guadalajara as our center of operations are:
Skilled workforce: The city has a large pool of talented and highly educated professionals, with several colleges, such as ITESM and ITESO, offering very good computer science and engineering programs. Many of these graduates choose to stay in Guadalajara, making it a hub of IT talent.
Infrastructure: Guadalajara has modern infrastructure and reliable internet connectivity, making it easy for IT companies to set up operations.
Supportive government policies: The Mexican government has implemented policies that encourage the growth of the IT industry in Guadalajara, including tax incentives for businesses that invest in the region.
Quality of life: A vibrant culture, excellent food, and a warm climate make it an attractive location for tech talent, ensuring a constant supply of skilled professionals for tech companies.
THE BOTTOM LINE
At VEscape Labs, we develop top people from unconventional sources. We seek out underrepresented areas across Mexico and Latin America to create economic opportunities and drive growth in underdeveloped regions.
Our commitment to investing in individual growth and economic opportunity fuels our culture and drives us to excel for our clients.
Guadalajara has all the elements necessary to make it the best IT hub in Mexico, I love having conversations with people considering tapping into this wonderful culture and talent pool for IT talent.
If you want to talk about how you can benefit from all these advantages, or about all the things that make Mexico - and specifically Guadalajara - an unbeatable location for IT businesses, please do not hesitate to contact me.
