Uruguayan software shown in TechCrunch Disrupt – The Observer

More than ten Uruguayan companies participated in the fair of technology TechCrunch Disrupt held in San Francisco, about America, last week.

The renowned event, in which Uruguayan companies participated for the first time, brought together software developers around the world count on pavilions from Japan, Brazil, Arabia, Taiwan, among others, but mostly represented exhibitors companies from Silicon Valley and San Francisco area. The Uruguayan flag was supported by the Chamber of Information Technology (Cuti) and Uruguay XII.

“Silicon Valley is a major technological pole and Uruguay tries to position itself as a leader in software development for the US and especially for start-ups,” said the president of Cuti, Carlos Caetano. The representative of the local software industry said that 40% of Uruguayan exports in that category is destined for the US market.

Juan Manuel Moreno, Integradoc and Flokzu, one of the local representatives, said the experience was “very positive” because it allowed the exchange to investors and entrepreneurs attended the event. “Often it is not the degree of specialization of the Uruguayan technicians and quality software is developed in our country is known, and it is gratifying to see when the faces of the audience went from surprise to recognition when were in our pavilion solutions thereof level than those produced in the US, “he added.

In this line, Caetano said Uruguayan software companies do things “similar” to the international.

“Working and putting focus are competitive. We need venture capital and more people working in the area,” said Cuti president.

The local software industry expected to reach US $ 1,000 billion in exports since 2020.

Currently sold to 52 countries worth US $ 250 million.

The market for start-ups

With startups like Uber, Facebook or Twitter Silicon Valley became the mecca of entrepreneurship in the United States and the world. Caetano is clear to see the opportunity, “the technology company with headquarters in California and major capitals of the world are there.”

For the president of the Cuti, local industry, although produced for large companies, it is more comfortable providing services to start ups. This is because between 40% and 50% of companies Uruguayan software have about 20 employees.

“When you say that you have 20 to 40 employees (Americans) look at you with suspicion, because companies 300 or 500 people in Uruguay are few, but in America would be just one more SMEs, “Caetano said.

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