What happens when a small but mighty team of developers steps onto the global stage to talk about the future of technology in Argentina? For The Blue Box, a boutique software company with a passion for transforming ideas into innovative products, this was more than just another panel discussion—it was a chance to spotlight the incredible potential of Argentina’s app economy.
The Blue Box’s CEO, Damián Tochetto, recently joined a panel hosted by the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) and the Argentine Chamber of the Software Industry (CESSI) in Buenos Aires. The event brought together thought leaders, developers, and industry experts to explore how AI and app development can drive growth, create high-quality jobs, and fuel economic resilience in emerging markets. Damián shared The Blue Box’s mission: to empower small businesses and developers in Argentina’s evolving tech ecosystem. As we sat down with Damián for a Q&A, he offered a deeper look at his journey, The Blue Box’s unique approach to supporting small businesses, and the panel’s inspiring insights into the future of Argentina’s digital landscape.
Q&A with Damián
Q1: Can you share your journey into software development and what led you to establish The Blue Box?
My journey into software development was somewhat unconventional. I’m a biomedical engineer specializing in signal processing and artificial intelligence. Initially, I worked on programming embedded systems for medical devices, which gave me my first exposure to Android and iOS systems. This sparked a growing interest in mobile app development.
Then, after many years working in large companies developing mobile apps for major clients, I felt inspired to create my own business. I wanted to continue solving complex problems but with a more personalized approach that truly cares for both the product and the client.
This vision led to the creation of The Blue Box, where we prioritize quality, innovation, and client relationships. By focusing on understanding each client’s unique needs, we ensure that every product we build is not only technically sound but also aligned with their goals. This drives us to deliver exceptional results while fostering long-term partnerships.
Q2: What motivated The Blue Box to participate in the PPI and CESSI event focused on Argentina’s app economy?
We are invested in the growth and innovation of Argentina’s tech ecosystem, which made participating in PPI and CESSI’s event on Argentina’s app economy a natural decision.
In the last two years, we’ve seen a significant increase in demand for mobile and web applications that integrate AI into their functionalities. Customers are increasingly looking for innovative solutions, such as automating data entry in supply chain systems or automating onboarding processes for organizations. By combining AI with mobile and web technologies, we enable our customers to streamline operations, improve user experiences, and unlock new growth opportunities.
Based on our expertise, we understand the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in the mobile era and the emerging AI revolution, and we want to be a reference player. Participating in the event was a key step in aligning with this vision.
Q3: How do you see Argentina’s app economy evolving with the integration of AI, especially for small businesses?
Argentina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is incredibly flexible, and we believe it can fully realize the potential of AI to add value to software development. We see this flexibility as a foundation for fostering the creativity and resilience of small businesses, enabling them to effectively integrate AI technologies into their operations and products. In doing so, they can increase their competitiveness, improve efficiency, and unlock new opportunities in local and global markets.
Q4: Could you highlight specific projects or goals The Blue Box has for supporting Argentina’s app economy and small businesses?
We are actively working on innovative projects that integrate AI into mobile and web applications to address real-world small business challenges. For example:
- Automating supply chain processes: Using AI to streamline data entry and logistics processes, helping businesses reduce costs and improve efficiency.
- Onboarding solution optimization: Developing apps with AI-driven features to simplify and enhance user onboarding for businesses, improving engagement and retention.
- AI Sentiment Analysis Agent: Create an AI-powered agent capable of analyzing user sentiment to deliver personalized experiences based on their mood. This project aims to improve user interaction and satisfaction by dynamically adapting app behavior to their emotional state.
These projects demonstrate our commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and delivering solutions that add tangible value to our customers’ businesses.
We are also committed to investing in talent development and innovation. Our company continues to dedicate resources to internal labs dedicated to researching and developing proof-of-concept projects, all focused on emerging technologies related to AI. This investment not only fosters a culture of continuous learning within our team, but also ensures that we remain at the forefront of technological advancements. By staying ahead of the curve, we can deliver cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients and drive meaningful innovation in the technology ecosystem.
Q5: What were the most memorable moments of the event for The Blue Box, particularly concerning small business innovation?
The event brought to light some fascinating initiatives by CESSI, particularly the idea of creating an AI hub in Argentina. One standout feature of this concept is the development of infrastructure to generate, train, and store AI models locally.
This initiative could be transformative for companies like The Blue Box. By providing the tools and resources needed to build our own AI models, it would enable businesses to scale their solutions globally without relying on “as-a-service” offerings from major players. Owning the models outright not only reduces dependency but also allows for greater customization, control, and competitive advantage.
Such an initiative aligns perfectly with our vision of empowering businesses through innovation. The prospect of leveraging a local hub to train and deploy AI solutions reinforces Argentina’s potential to become a global leader in technology while giving small and medium-sized companies the means to compete effectively on a worldwide scale.
These discussions at the event were both inspiring and practical, encouraging us to think bigger about how we can contribute to and benefit from Argentina’s growing tech ecosystem.
Q6: What advice would you give to developers in Argentina or emerging markets who are looking to grow within the app economy?
We believe the key is to combine technical expertise with a proactive approach to innovation, collaboration, and global awareness. Here are some steps that help us and could help you succeed:
- Focus on mastering emerging technologies and staying abreast of global trends.
- Sharing knowledge and learning from others will help you broaden your skills and build connections that can lead to exciting opportunities.
- Try to understand the pain points of businesses and users. Success in the app economy is often about solving real-world problems.
While local markets offer valuable opportunities, don’t limit yourself geographically. Think global from the start. At The Blue Box, we’ve seen firsthand the value of combining technical skills with strategic thinking and community engagement. By remaining curious, adaptable, and collaborative, developers can create innovative solutions, solve real-world problems, and thrive in the ever-evolving app economy.