On May 21, 2024, Google Cloud, the cloud computing division of Alphabet Inc., opened its doors in Medellín, marking a significant milestone for the city’s burgeoning tech ecosystem. The new offices are located in the WeWork building in El Poblado (CI. 7D #43A-40), a prime area known for its vibrant business community. This development underscores Medellín’s growing importance as a center for technological innovation and collaboration in Colombia. Read the full article on EL COLOMBIANO here.
Why Medellín?
Medellín has solidified its reputation as a national leader in technological innovation. According to Corporación Ruta N, the city is home to over 1,200 tech-based companies, with 19 new companies established in 2023 alone. This rapid growth reflects the city’s dynamic environment for talent development and business creation. The arrival of Google Cloud is a testament to Medellín’s strategic importance.
Juan Pablo Consuegra, Country Manager of Google Cloud Colombia, highlighted three key reasons for choosing Medellín:
- Economic Significance: Medellín contributes more than 20% of Colombia’s GDP and hosts major corporations like Sura, Línea Directa, Coordinadora, and Grupo Nutresa. The city’s economic relevance in both Colombia and Latin America makes it an attractive location for Google Cloud.
- Innovation Ecosystem: The city’s ecosystem of innovation, driven by initiatives from the local government and projects like Ruta N, provides fertile ground for technological advancement. The thriving fashion industry in Medellín also offers significant opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Customer Engagement: Google Cloud has seen substantial interest from clients in Medellín who are eager to leverage technology to enhance their operations and growth. Establishing a local presence allows Google to support these clients more effectively in their digital transformation journeys.
Eduardo López, President of Google Cloud Latin America, added that the proximity to academic institutions like the University of Antioquia, EAFIT, and the University of Medellín is crucial. Google Cloud plans to offer training programs and free licenses to students, professors, and researchers, fostering local expertise in cloud computing.
Impact on Medellín’s Tech Landscape
Google Cloud aims to become a close partner for businesses in Medellín, supporting innovation and transformation processes with cutting-edge technology. The company also seeks to collaborate with the local government and universities to be a catalyst for technological advancement among citizens. This includes organizing job fairs to connect certified individuals with employment opportunities.
Juan Pablo Consuegra emphasized that Google Cloud’s presence will help Medellín’s tech community see the company as a valuable ally in their innovation efforts. The goal is to offer the best technology and support to drive positive outcomes for local businesses.
Eduardo López outlined three major trends Google Cloud aims to drive in Colombia from its Medellín hub: modernization of the tech infrastructure, data utilization for competitive advantages, and the adoption of artificial intelligence. Workshops on innovation culture and Google’s work methodologies will be provided to help companies continuously improve through technology.
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