Carlos Andrés Jaramillo Botero (left in the photo) is currently the Country Manager of Kanini, yet his career has seen him shift between entrepreneur and employee. With 25 years in the city’s and country’s IT sector, he now faces the challenge of consolidating Kanini in Colombia and creating high-quality employment for Medellín’s digital talent.
The opportunity at Kanini came in June 2023. Babu Krishnasamy, the company’s CEO, traveled to Medellín for the Archery World Championship. From the moment he arrived, he couldn’t shake the idea of establishing his business here.
The name that convinced him was Carlos Andrés Jaramillo Botero, a systems engineer with a master’s degree in Administration from EAFIT University. With over two decades in the industry, Jaramillo believes Ruta N’s role as the country’s science, technology, and innovation hub was instrumental in Kanini’s successful arrival.
More Companies Setting Up in Medellín
Like Kanini, 18 other companies (17 international and one Colombian) established themselves in Medellín in 2023, aiming to expand their operations not only within Colombia but throughout North and South America. This list includes Deloitte, Hexacta, Connaxis, Progi, N-iX, Planet Solar, Prom, Vates, Loop, Sondeos, Rush Street Interactive, Cyber Fidelity, Una Vida Technologies, IQor, IONIX, Square 1, Cuesta Partners, and Rheoli from countries like Argentina, Chile, Canada, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine.
This development reflects Medellín’s growing potential as a hub for innovation and technology. The city offers a robust and expanding ST&I ecosystem, a wealth of qualified talent, first-class infrastructure, and an exceptional quality of life. These attributes have helped companies settle here with confidence, knowing they can grow without complications. Additionally, these 19 companies are expected to generate approximately 370 direct IT jobs in their first year alone.
Kanini is in the consolidation phase but is poised for rapid growth. In 2024, the company aims to have a team of at least 30 people, with a two-year target of 100 employees.
Carlos Andrés knows exactly how he plans to find this talent, drawing on his own experience. Rather than poaching talent from other companies, he will train young people in technology and then hire them for well-paid, quality jobs.
“My plan is to collaborate with universities and Ruta N to develop training processes so we can cultivate digital talent from the ground up. Bringing the company to Medellín means not only growing here but also supporting the training and development of local talent,” says Carlos.
Carlos combines two essential ingredients to further boost Medellín’s ST&I ecosystem: attracting international companies that stimulate the city’s economy and the ecosystem, and training local talent in technology, connecting them to companies offering high-quality, well-paying jobs that improve their quality of life and that of their communities.
By: Mateo Yepes Serna.
