ACI Medellin received an outstanding delegation of German university rectors, convened by the German Consulate in Medellin and the German Embassy in Colombia, on a day that strengthens the city’s position as an international educational center. This strategic meeting strengthens academic relations between Colombia and Germany, enhancing opportunities for scientific and academic cooperation.

Academic and scientific cooperation: priority on the bilateral agenda

The agenda developed during the visit focused on strengthening academic and scientific cooperation relations between German and Medellin institutions. The German rectors, members of the prestigious German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), held meetings with representatives of local universities, governmental entities and actors of the innovation ecosystem of the city.

During the meetings strategic issues were addressed such as:

• Academic mobility for students and teachers
• Joint research programs
• Scientific diplomacy
• Strengthening of the business-university-state triad
• Knowledge and technology transfer

Medellin as an international educational destination

This visit reinforces the positioning of Medellín as an educational destination of international relevance. “Receiving the rectors of German universities represents an invaluable opportunity to strengthen our academic and scientific capacities,” highlighted Miguel Betancur, director of cooperation at ICA Medellín. “We are convinced that these exchanges will generate new opportunities for our students, teachers and researchers.”

The presence of the German delegation in the city also evidences the international interest in Medellín’s educational and innovation model, which has been recognized globally for its focus on social transformation through knowledge.

Key actors united for education

The success of this event was possible thanks to the articulation of key actors of the education and innovation ecosystem. The German Embassy in Colombia highlighted in its official X account (formerly Twitter) the importance of these meetings:

#Medellín. Movilidad académica, diplomacia científica y triada empresa-universidad-Estado: temas de cooperación 🇨🇴🇩🇪 en reuniones de Conferencia de Rectores Alemanes @HRK_aktuell con actores del sector. #G8 @acimedellin @Ruta_N @cta_co @CIB_medellin @ascunoficial @metrodemedellin pic.twitter.com/bN3R0mC3iV

— Alemania en Colombia (@EmbAlemaniaCOL) March 19, 2025

The participation of entities such as Ruta N, SIU (Sede de Investigación Universitaria) CTA (Centro de Ciencia y Tecnología de Antioquia), CIB (Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas), ASCUN (Asociación Colombiana de Universidades) and Metro de Medellín demonstrates the inter-institutional commitment to strengthening higher education and research in the city.

Next steps: From visit to action.

As a result of this meeting, it is expected that academic and scientific cooperation agreements that will benefit both territories will be formalized.

ACI Medellin will continue to work as a key articulator in these processes, facilitating the connection between German institutions and local initiatives.

The Sparkassenstiftung für internationale Kooperation Colombia Foundation, and the Medellín Mayor’s Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen women’s financial and business education, with a special focus on Medellín’s rural population.

Gerd Weissbach, Director of the Latin America and Caribbean Department at the German Sparkassenstiftung.

This agreement, managed through the Agency for Cooperation and Investment of Medellín and the Metropolitan Area – ACI Medellín, aims to promote financial education by providing advisory services to women entrepreneurs, micro-business owners, or those in vulnerable situations. It seeks to enhance their access to financial services and strengthen their participation in the city’s productive development.

This agreement reinforces the scope of the Decididas project, led by the Secretariat for Women, which will train 2,700 women, supporting them either in completing their high school education or accessing economic opportunities that ensure their autonomy through employment or entrepreneurship. This initiative is also part of the District Bank’s commitment to education and financial inclusion.

Through this strategy, 10,000 women will be impacted over the four-year period. Of these, 5,000 will receive training in rights, decision-making, personal finance, and digital skills, while the other 5,000 will benefit from affirmative measures to complete their secondary education and receive job training.

Valeria Molina, Secretary for Women.

This agreement represents a key step in establishing Medellín as a city of opportunities for women, ensuring effective tools for their economic independence and promoting their active participation in the social and productive growth of the region.

The Mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez Zuluaga, met this Friday with the United States Ambassador to Colombia, John McNamara, who ratified their willingness to strengthen relations between the North American country and the capital of Antioquia. During the meeting, the main interest was focused on the progress made in the fight against sexual and commercial exploitation of children and adolescents in the city.

“We received in Medellín our friend John McNamara, ambassador of the United States, to continue working together against the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents, and to open more doors for investment and development between Colombia and that country. We have made great progress and the best is definitely yet to come,” said Mayor Gutiérrez Zuluaga.

The conversation highlighted the investigations and actions that have led to significant arrests against this crime, in conjunction with the National Police, the Prosecutor’s Office and the District Administration, through the Secretariat of Security and Coexistence, thanks to the support of the U.S. agency HSI (Homeland Security Investigations).

In this sense, it was highlighted that in 2024, a total of 12 foreigners were captured for sexual exploitation of minors, that is 1,100 % more than in 2023, when there was only one case; and that 23 additional captures of foreigners for sexual crimes have been registered, which is equivalent to 283 % more than in 2023.

Additionally, the Mayor of Medellín and the U.S. Ambassador highlighted, in terms of immigration controls at José María Córdova Airport, five inadmissions of U.S. citizens in February of this year thanks to the Angel Watch System and Migración Colombia.

With the United States, through the Guardians-Me Protejo strategy, a campaign will be carried out in three priority educational institutions against child sexual exploitation, scheduled for March 26 and 27, with the support of HSI.

Currently, investigations are progressing on the aforementioned problem with the HSI special agent in Medellín, in coordination with the Security Secretariat; the Amber Alert is being implemented, with the support of the FBI, to search for missing minors; and “High Level Meetings” were held with U.S. investigative agencies, held in Medellín and the U.S. Embassy in 2024.

In the area of international cooperation, both parties noted their interest in the Parceros and Parceras programs; the protection of human rights; and the prevention of crime and the consumption of psychoactive substances.

In addition to joint advances in security, the local president and the U.S. ambassador discussed economic opportunities for U.S. businessmen in Medellín. The sectors highlighted in this regard were software development, AI, cybersecurity, as well as e-commerce; outsourcing of services; medical equipment, telemedicine, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics; as well as manufacturing and auto parts.

Finally, Mayor Gutiérrez Zuluaga and Ambassador McNamara discussed the current state of the country’s economy and the development challenges it faces in the coming years.

Since 2008, ICA Medellín has managed just over US$710 million in foreign direct investment from 103 projects. The United States is the main source of investment in the city.

Máquinas Mestizas was born two years ago with the need to record sounds of nature for different uses. After its first experience with a hydrophone called Magma, this enterprise, which combines science, technology and art, advances in the manufacture of new instruments to connect with the elements of nature, as well as artistic experiences, laboratories, curatorships and festivals. Máquinas Mestizas is one of the enterprises from Medellín that will be part of the mission that will travel to France to participate in training, mentoring, connections and meetings with international leaders in the creative sector.

This incentive is part of the CreaColombia program, a binational initiative that seeks to strengthen the cultural and creative industries through training, the development of sustainable business models and strategic connections between Colombian entrepreneurs and key players in France.

Out of 500 proposals, 20 were selected throughout Colombia, who underwent an intensive training process. Of these, 10 finalists were chosen and will travel to France between March and April of this year. The three initiatives from Medellin are Macradecor, Selva y Flora and Máquinas Mestizas.

During the presentation of the certificates, the effort and creativity of the entrepreneurs was highlighted, who will have the opportunity to strengthen their projects with a view to international markets. The selected entrepreneurs are part of sectors such as design, handicrafts, video games and digital creation.

This initiative of the French Institute of Colombia is in line with the District’s strategy to consolidate Medellin as a creative capital, articulating and strengthening the ecosystem to promote creative industries as a key driver for cultural, social and economic development. Medellin has 5,928 formal companies in this sector, which manage assets of $ 3.3 billion and annual revenues of $ 4.4 billion.

The delivery of certificates is part of the visit of the French ambassador, Sylvain Itté, to Medellín, where he is strengthening the bilateral relationship, consolidating cooperation ties and advancing strategic projects in economic, cultural and social areas.

The mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, received the French ambassador to Colombia, Sylvain Itté, who took office in August 2024 as representative of the French diplomatic corps in the country. During the meeting, the importance of strengthening the bilateral relationship between Medellín and France was highlighted, consolidating cooperation ties and advancing strategic projects in economic, cultural and social areas.

In the economic sphere, the role of French companies was highlighted, especially in the automotive sector, and their positive impact on projects such as Puerto Antioquia. The ambassador also expressed France’s interest in the “Medellín Te Quiere” Development Plan, identifying opportunities in infrastructure, with projects such as the River Train and airport developments; waste management; and sustainable transportation, including metrocable systems with a focus on tourism. The French Development Agency (AFD) also reiterated its commitment to the region, highlighting current and future financing, such as the loan granted to the Universidad de Antioquia.

In the area of culture and cooperation, the situation of the Alliance Française in Medellín, a key institution in the promotion of intercultural dialogue and the teaching of French, was discussed. In addition, opportunities were explored to strengthen university cooperation, student mobility and the implementation of co-financed scholarships. The ambassador also presented cultural initiatives, such as the CREA Colombia project, the International Biennial of Antioquia and a conference on tourism scheduled for 2025 in collaboration with Compás Urbano.

The French Ambassador to Colombia, Sylvain Itté, emphasized that “The relationship between France and Antioquia is solid and dynamic and we want to strengthen these ties of cooperation that unite us in various sectors such as: higher education, research, innovation, culture, economic development, mobility, sustainability and Francophonie. Medellin is for us a key partner and we are convinced that together we can build new alliances that will generate great opportunities for the region.”

The ambassador also highlighted Medellín as one of the first cities on his official agenda, underlining France’s interest in continuing the commitments established during the administration of his predecessor, Frédéric Doré. Since 2008, non-reimbursable cooperation from France to Medellín has reached USD 2.62 million, focusing mainly on sustainability and economic development, while foreign direct investment from France has exceeded USD 496 million, consolidating in sectors such as manufacturing, trade and technology.

This meeting reaffirms the strong relationship between Medellín and France, projecting new opportunities for joint development in sustainability, culture and innovation.

In a meeting that marks the beginning of a new international cooperation agreement, the Mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, and the Mayor of Córdoba, Daniel Alejandro Passerini, signed a framework collaboration agreement that will strengthen the development of both Latin American cities. This agreement, managed by ICA Medellín, represents a significant step in the internationalization strategy of Medellín’s Science and Innovation District.

The alliance, which covers five strategic areas of cooperation, seeks to enhance the exchange of knowledge and best practices between the two cities. “This agreement not only represents an important step in our international relations, but also opens up new opportunities for sustainable development and innovation in both cities,” Mayor Gutiérrez emphasized during the meeting.

The agreement contemplates collaboration in crucial areas such as metropolitan governance, sustainable transportation, environmental management and urban solid waste, modernization and innovation, as well as citizen participation and international relations. At the same time, a complementary agreement was established with the Metropolitan Area of the Aburrá Valley, thus strengthening the scope and impact of this international cooperation.

It is important to highlight that Córdoba, recognized as a preferred destination for the formation of startups and for its successful articulation with the academic sector, will share its experience in innovative programs such as the Smart City Fund and Digital Nomads. These initiatives are particularly relevant for Medellin’s innovation ecosystem, especially for Ruta N.

“This alliance represents a milestone in our international cooperation strategy,” said Cristina Zambrano, director of ICA Medellín. “By joining forces with Córdoba, we are not only building bridges between cities, but also creating concrete opportunities for the economic, environmental and social development of both communities.”

The agreement provides for technical exchanges and visits by experts and officials, facilitating the transfer of knowledge and experience in the priority issues identified. This bilateral collaboration strengthens Medellín’s position as a reference in international cooperation and reaffirms its commitment to sustainable development and urban innovation.

For ICA Medellín, this agreement represents yet another example of its ability to weave strategic relationships that directly benefit citizens, consolidating Medellín as a city that learns and shares knowledge with its international peers.

Until August 23, a delegation from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank will be in the capital of Antioquia to establish a collaboration framework to define investment and advisory alternatives for infrastructure proposals, as well as to establish the basis for promoting sustainable development. The work agenda will be headed by the IFC representative in Colombia, Carolina Cárdenas, who will meet with members of the Strategic Projects Management and the Secretariats of Environment, Education, Infrastructure and Finance. Finally, there will be a meeting with Mayor Federico Gutiérrez Zuluaga.

The International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, promotes economic growth and improves the quality of life by encouraging the private sector in developing countries. Over the years it has implemented best practices that can be replicated in infrastructure projects in Medellín. The environmental and social impact assessment, which, by adopting these standards, can ensure that the initiatives are sustainable and respectful of the environment and local communities.

Colombia and Uruguay, through their Ministries of Foreign Affairs and their cooperation agencies – the Presidential Agency for International Cooperation (APC Colombia) and the Uruguayan Agency for International Cooperation (AUCI) – are developing the Joint Commission for Technical, Scientific, Cultural, Educational and Sports Cooperation between Colombia and Uruguay 2024-2026. This effort aims to develop and implement knowledge exchange projects that will contribute to the progress of both nations.

In the framework of the celebration of the VIII Meeting of the Joint Commission for the period 2024-2026, the District of Medellín will participate through the Metropolitan Area of the Aburrá Valley and EPM in the project “Technical strengthening for the management of water quality”. Designed as a two-way exchange initiative to improve the operational practices of the entities involved, including the Ministry of Environment of Uruguay (Dirección Nacional de Calidad y Evaluación Ambiental – DINACEA) and the Environmental Quality Division, Department of Integrated Environmental Assessment of Uruguay.

The Agency for Cooperation and Investment of Medellín and the Metropolitan Area – ACI Medellín has played a crucial role in articulating efforts and positioning Medellín as a city that reaffirms its commitment to sustainable development and strengthens its ties with Uruguay, promoting the exchange of knowledge and experiences in water quality management and environmental protection. Phase one is expected to start soon and complete the implementation of the project in the next 18 months.

The purpose is to strengthen the firefighting and rescue response systems in Medellín, Valle de Aburrá, and other municipalities in Antioquia that are participating in the training.

A total of 28 members from official and volunteer firefighting and rescue groups from Valle de Aburrá and other municipalities in Antioquia are taking part in the training session with the most prominent Spanish-speaking expert in canine search and rescue. This expert is Álvaro Martínez Arroyo, who has 27 years of experience in the field and is currently in the city thanks to an international technical cooperation project by the Regional Government of Castilla y León in Spain, DAGRD, and ACI Medellín.

The recent case of the dog Wilson in Guaviare, which allowed for the successful location and rescue of four minors, reaffirms the importance of canines in these operations. “The dog, nowadays, is the best tool to locate and rescue people; there is no other tool capable of surpassing a search and rescue dog in terms of abilities and reliability,” expressed Álvaro Martínez, the Spanish expert.

This training is based on a different approach to canine training, employing a much more holistic methodology. The guide is provided with principles and scientific studies on canine training, which allows for a broader perspective and improvement in the training of search and rescue dogs. “Technical support and strengthening, both in operational and academic aspects, enable the partnerships in our metropolitan area to grow stronger. DAGRD and the Official Fire Department of Medellín have made this space available for co-creation, jointly strengthening the search and locating capabilities with canines,” said Laura Duarte, director of DAGRD.

The training provided to emergency response and firefighting organizations, including Medellín’s Fire Department, consists of 450 hours. Soon, the guides will further reinforce their learning in this first part through a virtual course with the University of Burgos, Spain. In October, the expert will return to Medellín, and next year, those who complete the entire process will travel to Spain to conclude their training and receive certification.

Among the participants are members of DAGRD, Medellín’s firefighters, Bello, Sabaneta, Envigado, San Jerónimo, the National Fire Department, and rescue organizations such as the Red Cross, Garsa Group, Aeronautical Search and Rescue, Carabineros, Police Rescue, and support groups.

Medellin is among the 15 cities in Latin America, Africa and Asia that will receive support from the United Kingdom and C40 Cities to implement programs to mitigate Greenhouse Gases in the District, through projects of the 2020-2023 Development Plan that are focused on reducing the carbon footprint in the city.

Technical assistance for energy efficiency will be focused on the solar panel projects under line K of the metrocable and the Urban Air Protected Zone – ZUAP in the downtown.

The solar panel project under the K line of the Metrocable and the Urban Air Protected Zone (ZUAP) will receive technical assistance from the UKAID-CAI Program, with an investment of close to US$1 million. The assistance will run through December 2025.

“Thanks to the entire C40 group that allows this to have a giant impact on millions of citizens who live in this Medellín, which is obviously impacted by climate change. This will allow us to breathe better air, especially in the downtown city; that several areas of the city, especially the K line near the commune 13, have solar energy that will reduce the climate impact that we are generating on the planet; and especially in EPM will allow it to be at the forefront, to advance in the purpose of producing green hydrogen that will serve to grow EPM, but also to improve the conditions of the planet to address climate change, “said the mayor of Medellin, Daniel Quintero Calle.

The ZUAP project, promoted by the district administration, seeks to reduce CO2 emissions generated in the city center, one of the areas most affected by air quality, through actions such as pedestrianization of some roads, charging electric bicycles and charging for vehicle congestion, among other measures.

C40 Cities and the British Embassy in Colombia support with this new milestone the strategy of turning Medellín into an Ecocity.

The solar panels under the Metrocable K line will be installed on the roofs of homes and public buildings located in the neighbors down the Metrocable, which generates an economic benefit to families by generating their own energy, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This pilot project means democratizing and making clean energy inclusive, bringing it to areas of the city that have been marginalized for decades, and this type of project is a vehicle for building bridges of peace and reconciliation.

The program’s budget for city support is approximately $1 million.

“Today we are launching a new partnership with Medellín in terms of our common action on climate change, which consists of a program of measures to improve air quality and reduce the production of greenhouse gases. From the British Government’s point of view, Medellín is a strategic city, it has shown leadership in this fight and is sharing its experience with other cities, not only in the region but around the world,” said George Hodgson, Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Colombia,

This international cooperation action will also facilitate British companies to share their experience with EPM to develop projects for the production of green hydrogen and reduce Greenhouse Gases.

“The support will be for two programs here in Medellin: first is to promote the ZUAP, which is a very innovative project in Colombia and in this region, and to bring clean energy to an area that has had its period of violence in the past, but now has a very attractive future. We are very grateful for the support of the British government and are happy to be able to collaborate with the city of Medellin on these innovative programs,” explained Andrea Fernandez, C40’s Director of Climate Planning, Finance and Partnerships.

The United Kingdom is committed to the implementation of climate actions through the drastic reduction of greenhouse gases, this is reflected in the funding of programs that are being advanced in the city, such as the UKAID-CAI program, for the implementation phase of the Medellin 2020-2050 Climate Action Plan and technical assistance for green hydrogen with Empresas Publica de Medellin.

In order to create alliances with the world to achieve sustainable development and build a better place for the people of Medellin, the ACI Medellin began accompanying seven civil social organizations in the city: the Christian Youth Association ACJ-YMCA Medellin, the Juan Felipe Gomez Escobar Foundation, the SACIAR Foundation – Food Bank, the Salva Terra Foundation, the Antioquia Presente Corporation, the Seed of Hope Corporation, and the Dreams and Footprints of Tomorrow Corporation, to strengthen their capacities in international cooperation management.

About 20 social organizations of the civil society of the city applied for the call, seven of which were selected to be guided and accompanied by the ACI Medellín. Among the selection criteria, the impact, experience in international cooperation and the public-private articulation of the organizations were evaluated.

The organizations were selected based on their track record in international cooperation processes through a call for proposals that evaluated their impact, experience in international cooperation and public-private articulation with other organizations.

David Villegas García, executive director of the Salva Terra Foundation, said that through this process they seek to “strengthen relations through cooperation and investment in rural development and food security for the municipality of Medellín and the department of Antioquia”.

The pilot project, which will run through the second half of 2022, includes activities such as the identification and socialization of international cooperation calls and advice on the formulation and application process, a cycle of training in cooperation that will work on topics such as scenarios for seeking opportunities, information management and contexts for applications, cooperation language, project formulation and budgetary considerations, successful experiences, among others.

Organizations not selected in this cycle of accompaniment will be able to be trained in the free virtual course “Introduction to International Cooperation for the non-profit sector”.

“In the ACI Medellin, we are proud to begin the work of accompanying social organizations, with which we hope not only to increase the flow of cooperation resources entering the territory, but also to strengthen the social ecosystem of the city,” said Juan Manuel Muñoz, Project Management director of the Agency.

The ACI Medellin invites social organizations not selected in this process to strengthen their capacities in cooperation through the free virtual course “Introduction to International Cooperation for the non-profit sector” with an intensity of 16 hours that will be open from August 15 to October 30, 2022. More information at https://virtual.acimedellin.org/

With the purpose of exploring possibilities of cooperation with Medellin, we received the visit of the Danish Embassy in Colombia, led by its ambassador Erik Høeg, and accompanied by the city counselor Mikkel Hall. After the visit they announced that the city-city cooperation program of the Mayor of Copenhagen has decided to start a new cooperation in Latin America, and Medellin is one of the priority cities.

We organized a full work agenda with the Danish delegation, which included a meeting with the general manager of EPM, Jorge Andrés Carrillo Cardoso; the vice president (e) of Strategy and Planning, Luisa María Pérez Fernández; the director of the EPM Foundation, Vivian Puerta, and a group of officials of the Company. At the meeting, the general manager of EPM highlighted the importance of cooperation for the achievement of EPM’s strategy and acknowledged the experience of the Danish country in clean energy issues and in the implementation of circular economy programs, which can contribute to the fulfillment of the company’s goals.

“The first phase is to grow closer, to understand where we can do things, where the city has needs, while also coming to learn a lot from Medellín. We recognize EPM as an engine for the transformation of the city and that is why we are here to know where we can develop concrete projects or initiatives with city impact.” said the Danish Ambassador.

The director of the EPM Foundation, Vivian Puerta, highlighted Denmark’s Embassy ‘s cooperation in the strategy “My Sustainable Future”, an initiative aimed at children between 7 and 14 years old that is being organized jointly by this embassy, the District of Medellin, the ACI Medellín and the EPM Foundation and that will be presented next September.

The delegation lived the silletero experience

Since we were in the midst the city’s Feria de las Flores, we took advantage of the opportunity to tour the silletero farms with Ambassador Erik Høeg in the township of Santa Elena. The ambassador lived an experience full of tradition, flowers, plays and stories.

Sigo conociendo las tradiciones únicas de las regiones en Colombia. Aproveché mi visita a Medellín para conocer, junto a ilustres silleteros de Santa Elena, la famosa #FeriaDeLasFlores. Vi mucho talento, esfuerzo y amor por esta tradición que ha pasado por muchas generaciones💐🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/5zALinlH3C

— Erik Høeg (@DKAmbColombia) August 9, 2022

___

En mi visita a Santa Elena también tuve el gusto de conversar con Iván, famoso silletero. Los dos asistimos a la posesión del presidente electo – Yo como diplomático, él como invitado de honor. Me expresó su orgullo por haber estado en la Plaza de Bolivar en ese día histórico. 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/OFcinYpVJL

— Erik Høeg (@DKAmbColombia) August 9, 2022

As an enriching experience for strategy exchange and an opportunity to recognize the positive changes in Medellin, the members of a commission from Military House of the Governor’s Office of State of São Paulo described the visit to the city, that during this week toured the facilities of the Secretariat of Security and Coexistence on the occasion of a binational exchange ordered from the Brazilian government.

The delegation acknowledged advances in technology, prevention and response of the Integrated Emergency and Security System.

It is of great importance that the efforts made in Medellín in terms of infrastructure, intelligence and coordination for security are internationally recognized. It’s often that people abroad believe that the city is still as it was in the 90’s and when they look closely at what we’ve achieved, they are surprised and wish to learn” said the Secretary of Security and Coexistence, José Gerardo Acevedo Ossa. 

The Secretariat of Security and Coexistence and the ACI Medellín served as hosts of the commission, which fulfills the visit ordered by the Governor of the State of São Paulo. This is one of the many international visits that we attend constantly to share knowledge and formalize partnerships.

The delegation from the State of Sao Paulo’s Military Police’s Command Plan consisted of Lieutenant Colonel Anísio Araújo Dos Santos (director of the Administrative Department), Captain Rodrigo Fiorentini (director of the Humanitarian Logistics Center), Ricardo Cledson Leito Dos Passos (Planning Division), Hugo Valentín Kroll Miranda (Captain of the Military Police of Sao Paulo) and Rafael de Vitro Salvador (Heritage Centre).

“Medellin is a very nice and orderly city, the Secretariat of Security is very technologically advanced, like what we have in Sao Paulo. We were really impressed. We came here to learn about transformation and integration”, said Captain Miranda.

Among the data presented to the neighboring country’s commission, we highlight the progressive reduction of homicides in Medellin in recent years, today by -4% compared to the previous year, which makes it the most peaceful of the last four decades, and the technological capacity that includes 2,890 cameras integrated into SIESM and the Carbyne and ICAD subsystems, which operate similarly in the city of São Paulo.

Medellín’s reputation for innovation and its potential in digital technology; were some of the reasons that motivated Genius Sports to choose the cityas its first venue in Latin America. The main goal that led to this decision was to be able to offer a 24/7 service and increase the corporate presence in the region.

This company, whose main clients are the main betting houses around the world and the national football federations, provides various types of services: from technological support for live broadcasting, to data monitoring and sport bets training.

Additionally, they are also in charge of building new solutions for fan participation and the development of technological tolos, all done from Medellín.

The results that its presence in the region has brought along is a reciprocal benefit, as this has not only brought more employment and trade to the region, but has also allowed the company to generate long-term alliances with many of the leagues and the largest sports federations around the continent -400 worldwide-. Among these are the AFA (Argentine Football Association), the Dimayor (Colombian Football Major Division) and the MX League (Mexican League), among others for volleyball and basketball.

Genius Sport’s mission with the sports industry goes beyond providing technological support for betting.

“Our solutions range from live streaming and OTT platforms – audio, video and content transmission, over the internet without the involvement of traditional operators -, to data collection and competition management software, as well as a wide variety of tools for sports -and their federations- to attract and monetize their fans”, said Karlo Kivi, General Manager for Genius Sports in Medellín.

Regarding its association with Dimayor, the british company provides its services to help preserve Colombian soccer from the threats of match-fixing and corruption in relation to betting. Additionally, the Major Division of Colombian Soccer also granted the exclusive rights to capture, distribute and commercialize the official data and live video transmissions with the global network of sports betting partners.

“The growth on Genius Sports in Colombia vote of confidence from the multinational to the country, its recent asociation with Dimayor will contribute to the visibility and positioning of our sports, it is also a reflection of the growth in british investment in our country and its diversification” assured Flavia Santoro, president of ProColombia.

For Eleonora Betancur, executive director of the ACI Medellín “Our region continues to be projected as an epicenter for technological development thanks to companies such as Genius Sports that trust in the talent and quality of life that we offer to foreign investment. The articulation between the public, private and academic sectors guarantee that the established companies can have great growth and projection in the short and medium term, generating quality of life and development at all levels of our society.”.

With over 500 employees, Medellin represents Genius Sports’ largest team outside of the UK.

On top of all this, and thanks to its recent listing on the New York Stock Market, the Company has plans to expande ven more in all places where they’re currently operating. “Currently, we have dozens of roles open in Medellín, the goa lis to keep on growing and therefore open many more” added Kivi.