The Mendoza ICT Hub, a key player in the tech ecosystem: more partners, organized management, and international reach

"The greatest learning experience was seeing that the ICT Hub thrives when its internal structure is strengthened and at the same time opportunities for members are multiplied," summarizes Emilce Vega Espinoza, President of the ICT Hub. "The greatest learning experience was seeing that the ICT Hub thrives when its internal structure is strengthened and at the same time opportunities for members are multiplied," summarizes Emilce Vega Espinoza, President of the ICT Hub.

This year, the institution implemented a comprehensive membership management system, added legal counsel, and achieved 45% community growth compared to the previous year. It also expanded its diversity with new verticals such as video games and digital health, and strengthened the leadership of women-led companies.

One of the key contributions in this first stage was the donation of the membership management system by Wispro Inc. Its CEO, Sebastián Sagei, an active member and member of the Hub's Board of Directors, told us:

"The system helped the Hub maintain a more organized administration. Knowing what's available allows us to plan, generate events, build community, and, above all, keep the house in order so that processes can continue." "The system helped the Hub maintain a more organized administration. Knowing what's available allows us to plan, generate events, build community, and, above all, keep the house in order so that processes can continue."

This internal order allowed the ICT Hub to enter the public arena with force. It joined the Logistics Roundtable to contribute its technological perspective to productive development, promoted the Academic Roundtable with universities and companies to align training with the sector's demands, and joined the X-Road Node project, key to Mendoza's digital infrastructure.

Within this framework, coordination with the academic system was also strengthened. For Gastón Jarén, Academic Vice President of the Center, the participation of universities is key to bridging the gap between training and the needs of the sector :

"Universities need market feedback to adapt content, and companies need professionals with a shorter learning curve. The connection between both spaces allows research to be transformed into concrete products or services and generates synergies that position Mendoza as a reliable hub," he emphasizes. "Universities need market feedback to adapt content, and companies need professionals with a shorter learning curve. The connection between both spaces allows research to be transformed into concrete products or services and generates synergies that position Mendoza as a reliable hub," he emphasizes.

At the international level, the Hub has signed agreements with APESOFT-Peru and the Cluj IT Cluster of Romania, and is making progress on agreements with Uruguay and Chile. "Thanks to these types of agreements, the Mendoza ICT Hub continues to strengthen the internationalization and regional positioning of our knowledge ecosystem. It's no longer just about exporting services, but about building strategic links that open doors for Mendoza companies and innovation," explains Alberto Aguiló, Vice President for the Private Sector.

In this context, alliances were also a tool for regional positioning.

"These ties strengthen our ability to connect with the private sector nationwide and position Mendoza as a strategic location within the country's technological ecosystem. They allow us to design joint programs, share best practices, and project our companies into broader arenas," emphasizes María José Rubio, a partner and active member of the Hub's Board of Directors. "These ties strengthen our ability to connect with the private sector nationwide and position Mendoza as a strategic location within the country's technological ecosystem. They allow us to design joint programs, share best practices, and project our companies into broader arenas," emphasizes María José Rubio, a partner and active member of the Hub's Board of Directors.

Along the same lines, Maria Yeniem, the Polo's representative at CESSI, reinforces:

"The agreement with CESSI amplifies the impact of local initiatives, opens doors to training, employability, and innovation projects, and translates into real opportunities for the Polo community."

Throughout the year, the ICT Hub consolidated monthly networking spaces, with breakfasts and after-parties where concrete synergies are generated between companies and entrepreneurs. “There are many concrete examples of business synergies that occur at these meetings, to name a few: G-Power with Electrónica or Cerebro Curioso with UNCUYO. These are achievements that define us as a hub that not only disseminates information but also provides structure, legal support, and sector connections with significant benefits,” emphasizes the Hub's President.

Events also became key spaces: Summit X 2025, Maker Day with the provincial government, UnderCode Day and PILARES TECH 2025 with Diario Los Andes are meetings that brought together national and international leaders with the local community, promoting the culture of innovation in Mendoza.

With an eye to the medium term, the Mendoza ICT Hub is moving forward with the consolidation of its 2024–2026 strategic plan, focusing on three priority areas: supporting the internationalization of its members, driving the digital transformation of the provincial economy, and establishing itself as a regional benchmark in innovation.

"Among the planned actions are the organization of reverse missions to connect local SMEs with global opportunities, the expansion of the X-Road Node into strategic sectors such as clean energy, and the institutionalization of the Polo TIC Awards as a symbol of Mendoza's talent and creativity," highlights Emilce Vega Espinoza.

Furthermore, Alberto Aguiló tells us, "The Hub seeks to expand its network of agreements with international ecosystems, integrate decision-making spaces such as the Production Roundtable, and promote recognition of the knowledge economy as a key pillar for Mendoza's future. We aspire to be the natural meeting point for talent, innovation, and ideas that build a more competitive and globally connected province."

For Vega Espinoza, each achievement reinforces the certainty that Mendoza has an increasingly relevant role on the global innovation map:

“The community has grown by 45%, is now more diverse, and each step forward reinforces my conviction that we are building a strong, sustainable, and equitable ecosystem. Mendoza is increasingly gaining ground on the global innovation landscape, and we have demonstrated this through the collaborative work of the Hub team, its partners, and those who are committed to this space.” “The community has grown by 45%, is now more diverse, and each step forward reinforces my conviction that we are building a strong, sustainable, and equitable ecosystem. Mendoza is increasingly gaining ground on the global innovation landscape, and we have demonstrated this through the collaborative work of the Hub team, its partners, and those who are committed to this space.”

“As I always say, you learn to love the Polo, and that love creates these spaces that contribute so much to the academic, business, and public spheres,” he concludes.

With these firm steps, the Mendoza ICT Hub is not only positioning itself as a strategic cog in the knowledge economy, but also as a catalyst for transformations aimed at diversifying and strengthening the province's productive future.