Uruguay – Canada: a strategic alliance built on trust

A digital bridge between Uruguay and Canada is being strengthened through concrete experiences, shared values, and a common goal: to promote innovation on both sides of the continent. This was made clear at Uruguay–Canada Tech Connect, an event held at Cubo Itaú and organized by the Canadian Embassy in Uruguay, Uruguay XXI, and CUTI, which reaffirmed the value of public-private collaboration and the complementarity between two innovative ecosystems.

The meeting brought together leaders from the ICT industry, diplomatic authorities, and institutional representatives with a clear message: Canada is an opportunity for Uruguay, and Uruguay is an opportunity for Canada.

The deputy executive director of Uruguay XXI, Martín Mercado, underscored the strategic importance of the meeting. “We have been working with Canada since 2019, when we participated for the first time in Collision. Since then, public-private efforts have represented and empowered us. Today, this event is part of that journey,“ he said.

In his speech, he highlighted that ”Uruguay exports about 1% of its ICT services to Canada, but we believe this can grow significantly. There is a commitment, together with the ambassador, to generate more activities towards this market,” he said.

Uruguay XXI has led an active policy of internationalizing the technological ecosystem, which in 2025 reached one of its milestones with the participation of a delegation of 15 Uruguayan companies in the first edition of Web Summit Vancouver. This presence—coordinated with CUTI, the Canadian Embassy, and strategic actors—positioned Uruguay as a reliable partner for innovation and investment.

For his part, CUTI President Amílcar Perea welcomed the event and Canada’s support for the sector. “Our industry is our people and the markets we conquer. Canada has been a permanent ally that accompanies our missions and recognizes the talent we have. Investments by Canadian companies in Uruguay show what we can offer,” he summarized.

The Canadian ambassador to Uruguay, Carmen Sorger, reviewed the pillars of this alliance: “This year we celebrate 77 years of friendship between our countries. We share values such as democracy, inclusion, and sustainability, and that also guides our vision of a more just and prosperous digital future. Canada is a leader in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and IoT technologies. We want to continue growing in collaboration with Uruguay,“ she said. She also highlighted that ”technology not only connects devices, but also people, ideas, and values,” while praising the collaboration with Uruguay XXI in key international events.

From the Canadian perspective, Uruguay stands out as a reliable regional strategic partner, recognized for its stability, talent, and shared values. This international perception reinforces Uruguay’s position as the hub for business and innovation #1 in Latin America.

Inspiring stories

The panel of Uruguayan companies with a presence or commercial ties in Canada illustrated the variety of possible paths. Ana Inés Echevarren, CEO of InfoCorp and secretary general of CUTI, recounted the acquisition of her company by the Canadian group Constellation in 2020. “It was the first company they bought in Latin America. They chose Uruguay for its talent, good products, and stability. Since then, we have grown not only in revenue. They made us better,” she said.

From another perspective, José Gazzano, CEO and co-founder of Seta Workshop, shared a more organic process. “We weren’t looking to sell in Canada, but opportunities arose through recommendations within binational teams,” he said, adding that what they sell is trust.

“Interpersonal relationships, transparency, and flexibility are key. We get in the trenches with our customers,” he added.

Along the same lines, Diego Castiglioni, CEO and co-founder of Sunshift, recounted how the trip to Collision in Toronto was a turning point. “Our first Canadian client came to us through a referral, which coincided with our trip to Collision. That opened many doors for us. Since then, we’ve returned to Web Summit in Vancouver. The side events allowed us to meet people and build valuable relationships.“ In his opinion, the key is to’ prepare very well, have meetings scheduled, but also go with an open mind for the unexpected.“

Product, talent, and culture

When asked what Canadian investors are looking for in Uruguay, Echevarren was clear: ”They are looking for products, not just services. At CUTI, we are promoting the transformation of the productive matrix.“ Gazzano added: ”At first, no one looks to Canada; everyone thinks of the United States, but when you work with Canadians and everything works, you focus on them."

Experience has shown that cultural proximity, complementary values, and the quality of talent are all differentiating factors.