Over the past decade, Latin America has quietly evolved into one of the most dynamic and promising regions for global tech talent. Once overlooked, it’s now gaining international attention as a powerful engine for innovation and digital transformation. The rise of venture-backed startups, the expansion of international investments, and the presence of strong university ecosystems have all contributed to a thriving tech scene. But perhaps most compelling is the region’s deep pool of highly skilled, affordable developers who are eager to work with global teams.
At Techunting, we’ve witnessed this transformation firsthand. To stay ahead of the curve, we’ve built a strong presence in the top tech hubs in Latin America not only to tap into exceptional talent but also to contribute to the growth of the local ecosystems. Our approach to staff augmentation in Latin America is rooted in long-term partnerships and a deep understanding of the cultural and technical strengths each hub brings to the table.
In this blog, we’ll take you on a journey through five of the most influential tech hubs in the region. You’ll learn what makes each one unique, why they attract top-tier talent, and how your company can benefit from hiring developers in these fast-growing markets. Whether you’re scaling your engineering team or launching a new digital product, Latin America may hold the key to your next big success.
1. São Paulo, Brazil
As Brazil’s largest city and the beating heart of its tech ecosystem, São Paulo stands tall as the most important innovation hub in the country. It’s home to over 1.5 million IT professionals, supported by leading institutions like the University of São Paulo (USP), one of the most prestigious in Latin America.
According to GitHub, Brazil is home to over 5.4 million developers, with a remarkable 27% year-over-year growth rate, a clear sign of its rising global influence. São Paulo itself hosts nearly 340,000 tech firms and has nurtured 20 unicorns, including Nubank, iFood, and Wildlife Studios. In 2021 alone, the city attracted over US$6.8 billion in venture capital funding.
This booming ecosystem brings together a vibrant startup culture and the presence of tech giants like Google and Microsoft, making São Paulo a prime destination for staff augmentation in Latin America. Increasing English proficiency, especially among developers, further positions the city as an ideal location for nearshore collaborations with U.S. and European teams.
2. Buenos Aires, Argentina
A long-time cradle of creativity and resilience, Buenos Aires continues to be one of the top tech hubs in Latin America. With around 158,000 IT professionals, the city blends high English proficiency with a rich academic heritage from institutions like the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) and the National Technological University. Argentina also ranks third in Latin America for English proficiency, based on TOEFL scores, making it an attractive destination for international collaboration.
Argentina has produced some of the region’s most iconic unicorns, including Mercado Libre, Globant, Ualá, and Ripio. The country is a regional leader in software and IT exports, reaching US$2.7 billion with 12.5% annual growth, driven largely by Buenos Aires’ talent pipeline.
Despite economic volatility, Buenos Aires maintains a thriving tech scene. The city’s strong engineering culture, affordable developer rates, and government-backed support programs make it a smart choice for companies looking to expand through staff augmentation in Latin America. Argentina also counts over 694,000 developers, with a solid 41% increase.
3. Bogotá, Colombia
Emerging as one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the region, Bogotá has become a magnet for startups, investors, and global companies alike. The city’s IT workforce is estimated between 84,000 and 165,000 professionals, supported by strong academic institutions like the National University of Colombia and the renowned University of the Andes, alma mater to many leaders in Colombia’s tech ecosystem.
Colombia’s flagship unicorn, Rappi, operates as a “super app” offering delivery services in nine Latin American countries and boasts a market valuation of US$5.4 billion as of February 2025. The broader tech ecosystem in Bogotá saw over US$1.3 billion in investment in 2021, a testament to its growth and global interest.
Bogotá’s combination of tech-savvy graduates, growing infrastructure, and favorable business climate make it a strategic option for staff augmentation in Latin America, particularly for companies seeking scalable, bilingual talent in similar time zones.
4. Lima, Peru
Though still emerging, Lima is gaining momentum as a rising tech hub with significant potential. The city is home to about 50,000 IT professionals, and its tech sector has grown by more than 10% in recent years.
According to market forecasts, Peru’s ICT sector, valued at US$9.90 billion in 2023, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.12%, reaching US$16.77 billion by 2028. Institutions such as the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP) and the University of Lima are playing a vital role in developing homegrown tech talent through expanded technology programs and industry-focused training.
For businesses looking to invest in staff augmentation in Latin America, Lima offers a compelling mix: cost-effective junior talent with high learning capacity, and a steadily increasing pool of experienced professionals. The city’s affordability, commitment to innovation, and growing infrastructure make it a strong contender in the regional tech landscape.
5. San José, Costa Rica
With over 45,000 IT specialists, San José has carved out a reputation as one of the most stable and scalable tech hubs in Latin America. The city benefits from the highest English proficiency in the region, ranking #1 in Latin America based on TOEFL scores, which makes collaboration with U.S. and European teams especially seamless.
Global tech companies have had a long-standing presence in Costa Rica, including industry giants like Intel, HP, and IBM. These firms have helped shape a well-developed infrastructure and a tech-savvy workforce that is highly attractive for companies seeking nearshore staff augmentation.
San José’s additional strengths, such as political stability, strong IP laws, and robust internet connectivity, further solidify its status as a top destination for building distributed teams and scaling software development operations efficiently.
Tech Hubs in Latin America Are Booming, and Sending Talent Across the Globe
The Latin American tech landscape is thriving, with its top hubs emerging as global engines of innovation, collaboration, and talent. From São Paulo’s scale and infrastructure to Buenos Aires’ deep engineering culture, Bogotá’s startup momentum, Lima’s rising potential, and San José’s global integration, each tech hub in Latin America offers distinct advantages for companies seeking to build agile, high-performing development teams.
What unites these cities is a powerful mix of skilled developers, strong educational foundations, English fluency, and cost-efficiency, all of which make the region a prime destination for staff augmentation. By leveraging LATAM’s proximity to the U.S. and its growing base of bilingual professionals, companies can scale faster, reduce hiring friction, and stay competitive in today’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
At Techunting, we’ve intentionally established a presence across several of these key hubs, not just because of the numbers, but because we believe in the long-term value of investing in emerging talent and supporting local ecosystems. Our mission is to connect global companies with the best tech talent in Latin America, through a flexible and proven staff augmentation model that works.
Ready to build your dream team with LATAM talent? Contact us today to explore how we can help you hire top-tier developers and scale smarter.
