Building a globally recognized technology community in South Florida
"Software Industry in South Florida and opportunities for Latin American companies“
Chip Casanave
President – South Florida Technology Alliance
President & CEO – Data Access Worldwide
Agenda
• Introduction to Data Access Worldwide
• Overview of Florida Technology Industry
• Definition of the South Florida Market
• Introduction to the “SFTA”
• How can Argentine companies win business in Florida and South Florida?
About Data Access..
We deliver advanced products and services to help customers build great
business solutions and derive maximum business value from their data.
Open solutions for a changing world
About Data Access…
• Headquarters: Miami, Florida • Since 1976
• Develop and market software products worldwide
• www.DataAccess.com
Data Access Worldwide
NorthAmerica
Europe
Brazil…LatinAmerica
AsiaPacific
Data Access Products
• Visual DataFlex Application Development
• Dynamic AI Business Intelligence*
• Electos Content Management*
* Available in Spanish & Portuguese
Florida – good for business!
Florida – good for business!
• Forbes “Best States for Business” 7/31/08 #1 in “Economic Climate”
– job, income and gross state product growth as well as unemployment and presence of big companies.
#5 in “Growth Prospects”– projected job, income and gross state product growth,
business openings/closings & venture capital investments
#5 in “Labor”– Educational attainment, net migration and projected
population growth
Florida – good for business
• CNBC – Top States for Business Survey #1 in the U.S. for Workforce #9 in the U.S. for Technology & Innovation #9 in the U.S. Access to Capital
Florida – National Ranking
• #4 in population (18 M)
• #4 is gross state product ($734.5B) California, New York and Texas are 1,2,3
• #4 in total employment (8.8 M)
• #3 in high tech exports ($13.3 B)
• #3 in # of high tech companies
Florida’s IT Industry
• Software & Computer Systems Design & Integration
• 9,599 Companies
Florida’s IT Industry
• Digital Media
• 4,479 Companies
Florida’s IT Industry
• All IT Sectors Statewide
• 19,884 Companies
South Florida
South Florida Regional Market
Miami-
Dade
Broward
PalmBeach
S. Florida Business Growth
• Three significant tech company moves Research in Motion (RIMM) – Blackberry Mfr.
• R&D Center – target: 500 employees
FoxConn – Large scale contract manufacturer• Smartphone R&D - 200 employees
General Dynamics C4 Systems• U.S. Defense Contractor - Target: 100 Employees
Why South Florida?
Besides its skilled workers, South Florida's "excellent quality of life and proximity to outstanding colleges and universities" made it an ideal location.
General Dynamics President Chris Marzilli
Building a globally recognized technology community in South Florida
South FloridaTechnology Alliance
About….
Mission Statement
The SFTA promotes the growth, success and awareness of the regional technology community.
Through events, networking, programs and education, we provide south Florida's technology-related companies, academic institutions, entrepreneurs, governments and related organizations with an active forum to grow the business of technology in our region.
SFTA Profile
• A business organization for tech companies
• Business development focus• Regular networking opportunities • Entrepreneurship education
• Monthly programs & workshops• Economic outlook, CIO and CEO panels, industry
direction, raising capital and exit strategies
• Collaboration with partners & universities
Our Alliance Partners
• Center for Entrepreneurial Development• Enterprise Development Corp of S. Florida • Gold Coast Venture Capital Assoc • IT Women • Internet Coast• TiE – The Indus Entrepreneurs• The CIO Council of S. Florida
Partnership activities
• Event co-marketing & co-sponsorship
• Exchange of membership privileges
• Results… Creates more resources in the region Enriches networking opportunities Creates a culture of collaboration
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Winning Business in the U.S.
• Competition
• Act Locally…
• Impact of the U.S. Economy
• Strategy
Competition
• Florida’s rich IT industry is your competition
• Assess your value proposition and determine competitiveness among established Florida providers
• Identify your company’s unique strengths
• Can you market them successfully here? And still make a profit…
Think globally; act locally
• Markets are different Product or service may be the same How you market and sell will not be the same
• Become a local competitor Conform to the expectations and practices of
U.S. prospects and clients Positioning: “A Florida supplier with capacity,
resources & references in Argentina”
Recognize cultural variations
• U.S. – seek fast deals
• Sweden – “get back to you in 3 months” is good news
• South America – get acquainted personally first; might do business with you
• U.S. – do business first; might get acquainted personally later
Impact of the U.S. Economy
• Lower IT budgets
• Fewer opportunities / projects available
• Established U.S. I.T. companies…. Fight harder for business Offer lower prices
Advantages Argentina….
• Close time zone (vs. India or China)
• South Florida is very multi-cultural• Over 50% Miami-Dade residents born outside of
the U.S.• We are accustomed to working with other
nationalities every day
• Many South Florida businesses have Spanish-speaking staff & management
Strategy
• If everything looks good….. Options: Open a U.S. sales/marketing office Seek strategic U.S. partner / collaborator Accelerate market entry by acquiring U.S.
company Be acquired by a U.S. company Create multi-national group ….or???
Good luck!
• There is always room in the market for competitive providers of high quality goods and services
Building a globally recognized technology community in South Florida
Thank you!
www.SouthFloridaTech.org
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