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