As the global tech workforce becomes increasingly diverse, distributed and flexible, more companies are searching beyond their own borders for the best talent possible. This is especially true when it comes to software developers, not least given the shortage of programmers compared to development needs.
It might not spring to mind as a first choice for offshore developers, but Argentina should be at the top of every company’s list. Not only does the country offer a reputable market of programming experts, but it also boasts a high level of English proficiency, along with cultural similarities and a close time zone to North America.
Here’s why Argentina should be a top choice for any business seeking to outsource for development.
Argentina is a LatAm tech leader. With such a high proportion of its population graduating with a university degree, Argentina is not unfamiliar with world-class tech talent. It’s also produced some of LatAm’s biggest tech unicorns, including ecommerce platform MercadoLibre, valued at over $30 billion in 2019, and fintech Prisma Medios de Pago, which is worth almost $2 billion.
The startup ecosystem in Argentina is thriving and is supported by a network of accelerators and venture players including NXTP Labs, Kaszek Ventures, and Quasar Ventures. And it’s not just local attention they receive, either: Argentine startups have been recognized by international accelerators. Slik, a platform that measures workplace climate and commitment, and transcription service Atexto have both been part of 500 Startups’ portfolio (in 2019 and 2017 respectively). This just goes to show the importance given to tech amongst the country’s workforce, and the innovative power of its young professionals.
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Cultural similarities to North America and Europe. Collaborating with remote teams in different countries isn’t always plain sailing, but it can certainly be made easier when the work culture is closer to home. Argentina was heavily influenced by waves of immigration from Europe – namely Italy and Spain – over the past couple of centuries, resulting in many similar cultural aspects to Europe and North America.
Similarly to people from those continents, Argentine developers are more assertive – they won’t hesitate to speak up if they don’t agree with a change, and will proactively offer alternatives if they feel quality is being compromised. In turn, this drives the strength and progress of projects.
Argentina shares languages and time zones with North America. Another key benefit to outsourcing to Argentina is its proficiency in English, which is the highest in all of Latin America. Developers often have a good command of the language, making communication smoother. In addition, as the US now has more Spanish speakers than Spain, fluency in this language doesn’t hurt either.
And lastly, Argentina’s time zone eliminates the need for out-of-hours meetings and reduces the likelihood of delays in responses. Buenos Aires is just one hour ahead of the US East Coast. With such close time zones, companies can collaborate with their developer teams in an agile way and foster better communication.
There are many things that go into a successful outsourced project. It’s not just about price or engineering skills: businesses must also consider aspects such as cultural fit, language, and time zone. In this sense, Argentina comes out top for North American companies seeking high-quality, innovative, and collaborative developers.
