Find here all the information about our advantages as a country in software and digital contents solutions Colombia.

1. Libertad y Orden
COLOMBIA
BringIT on
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FOR A WORLD FULL OF DEMANDING CHALLENGES,
WE OFFER A COUNTRY FULL OF IT SOLUTIONS.

2. Colombia is close to major global economic
hubs, and has one of the most thriving and
competitive economies among developing
countries. Also, Colombia has one of the
best connectivity infrastructures in the
hemisphere, and has implemented
award-winning programs, like Vive Digital.
The human talent in the country is growing
in terms of both quality and quantity, and
the information technologies (IT) sector
enjoys legal certainty and incentives.
Therefore, Colombia is steadily becoming a
world-class IT vendor.
As a result, Colombia is the perfect
destination for international investors and
buyers in search of technological products
and services.
Learn why Colombia is an up-and-coming
IT global player!
Why
Colombia
?

3. Progress and planning regarding the GDP, inflation, and unemployment.
2.5
7.0
6.5
3.9
5.5
5.3
4.7
4.9 4.5
6.7 6.9
5.7 3.5
7.7
2.0
4.0
6.6
3.7
2.4
4.0 4.3
1.9
3.0
4.4 4.6
3.4 3.6
4.5 4.3
3.5 3.3
4.5
1.7
15.6
14.1
13.7
11.8 12.0
11.2 11.3
12.0 11.8
10.8
10.4
8.5 8.8
8.1
7.4 7.1 6.8
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 20132014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Unemployment Rate
GDP
Inflation
Key factors like a sound
economy, a privileged
geographical location, and
high connectivity make
Colombia one of the most
attractive countries in the
world to invest in and to buy
IT products and solutions.
Competitive
factors
4.3%
This was the GDP growth in
2013, a much higher figure than
Latin America’s average (3.2%).
8.5%
The unemployment rate in 2013
was the lowest in 15 years.
1.94%
This inflation rate is the lowest in
15 years and the lowest in Latin
America, and it is among the
lowest in the world.
Sound,
growing
economy

4. Top 6 in growth
The Economist magazine
highlights Colombia as one
of the six countries with the
largest share in global
economic growth, above
globalized leaders like Brazil,
Russia, Mexico, United States,
and Japan.
23
Colombia has climbed 23 spots
in the World Bank’s Doing
Business ranking between
2008 and 2014 in terms of the
ease of doing business, and it is
the third in Latin America.
A favorable and
balanced outlook
Major international agencies like
Standard & Poor’s and Fitch
Ratings are assessing Colombia
favorablyafteritsmacroeconomic
improvements.
Privilegedgeographicallocation
GMT-5
Colombia is in the midst of five
time zones, located in the same
one as important business centers
like New York, Toronto, and Miami.
878
These are the total international
direct air frequencies available,
which make business travel easier
to and from the rest of the world.
4,900
These are the total domestic
frequencies available through
more than 20 airlines.
Highconnectivity
Internet
connection
for over 8.8
million
Exceeding all
expectations, this figure
was achieved last year,
representing 4 times the
total in 2010. This shows
that Colombia is one of
the countries with the
largest number of
Internet connections and
users in Latin America.
Fiber optics
available
in 1,078
municipalities
The National Fiber
Optics Plan was
scheduled to deploy a
network across 753
municipalities by 2014.
However, this goal was
achieved in 2013, and
by the end of this year,
almost all municipalities
in the country will have
direct access to fiber
optics, providing better
connectivity for
citizens, entrepreneurs,
and the Government.
3 more under
development
3 additional submarine
cables will begin
operations in the short
term: 2 are joining the
6 currently installed in
the Atlantic coastline,
and the other will be
the first to connect
Colombia directly with
60 countries across
the Pacific.
9 submarine
cables
Colombia is one of the
countries with the best
submarine cable
connectivity in the
Americas, providing
excellent international
connection, faster data
transmission, and
connection stability.

5. Vive
DigitalPlan
50% +
homes
connected
Over half of
Colombian
homes, even the
underprivileged
households, now
have access to
Internet services.
60% of
MSMEs
have gone
digital
The proportion of
micro, small, and
medium
enterprises
(MSME) with
Internet access
increased from 7%
to 60%, with
growing demand
for software and IT
services and
solutions to
compete in the
domestic and
global arenas.
66% of
Colombians
are now
connected
This figure places
Colombia as one of
the countries with
the most
widespread
Internet access in
Latin America
above Brazil,
Mexico, Argentina,
and Peru.
The Best
IT&C Policy
of the
World
In 2012, the Vive
Digital Plan
earned Colombia
an award during
the Mobile World
Congress in
Barcelona, and it
has become a role
model abroad.
What is it?
The Ministry of
Information
Technologies and
Communications
(MinTIC) created
this program in
2010 to support
technological and IT
development in the
country by bringing
the Internet to the
public and by
driving digital
platforms and their
four basic
components:
Infrastructure, IT
services, software,
and users.
Government
PlanColombia is becoming a
global IT leader. This
was not achieved by
chance, but thanks to
the Government
programs and
initiatives that focused
on increasing
connectivity, improving
professional training,
fostering bilingualism,
and developing the
outsourcing industry,
among others.

6. DigitalTalent
What is it?
This is an initiative to provide Colombians with training through technical
and technological, graduate and post-graduate programs in order to meet
the increasing domestic and global demand for IT services and solutions.
56,005 + certificates
This is the total number of people who have
taken the exams and are certified in basic,
intermediate and advanced English levels since
2009. The figure for 2013 alone was 25,000.
130 +
This is the number of domestic
and international organizations
with access to the database.
What is it?
This is a program implemented by the Ministry
of Trade, Industry and Tourism and the
Productive Transformation Program to evaluate
and certify the English language skills of
Colombian residents.
The program provides domestic and international
organizations with a database of Colombians
with certified English skills following the
Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages (CEFR).
iSpeak
899 Vive Digital
Locations
These public Internet centers,
located in cities and municipal
capitals, provide access to
people with low income.
4,660+
During its first five open calls,
Digital Talent has provided 1,277
forgivable loans to help Colombian
students who wish to pursue an
IT&C-related career.
USD $19 billion
This is the total budget available
for Digital Talent until the end of
2014.
7,621 Vive Digital
Kiosks
By the end of 2014,
Colombia will have this
number of public access
points to bring Internet
and IT&C tools to remote
locations and jurisdictions
with a population of over
100 persons.
All municipalities
have Internet access
A total of 1,078 municipalities
have Internet access thanks to
the National Fiber Optics
Network, a milestone achieved
nowhere else in the continent.
Fiber optics cannot be deployed
into the remaining 45
municipalities due to
geographical reasons, but
connection via microwaves or
4G LTE technology is available.

7. 60,000 +
This is the total number of entrepreneurs who have
created or renewed projects or companies with a focus
on software and IT&C.
2,000
This is the total number of apps, particularly mobile
applications, to be developed thanks to this initiative by
the end of 2014.
What is it?
An initiative within Vive Digital to promote and support
IT&C-based businesses, focusing on software
development (particularly mobile apps), and digital
contents.
Apps.co
What is it?
A program created by a public-private partnership in
order to support the outsourcing industry (i.e., KPO,
BPO, ITO) with scholarships granted to industry
workers worth up to COP $5 million, particularly in
fields like software and IT services.
USD $12 million
This is the total budget for Finishing Schools, provided
by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
FinishingSchools

8. What is it?
The new office in charge of creating purchase policies for the public sector, as well as promoting innovation and standards
according to the world’s best practices and technology. It provides information about government procurement, making
government deals transparent and thus more attractive and cost-effective for both the relevant offices and domestic and
international providers, including small and medium enterprises.
ColombiaProcuresEfficiently
(Colombia Compra Eficiente)
Secop
This is the Government
Procurement Electronic System
(Sistema Electronico para la
Contratación Publica, Secop),
which is changing the way the
government purchases and
contracts goods and services.
2,139
This is the total number of
public tenders finalized in
2014, according to data by
Efficient Procurement
Colombia.
15% of the GDP
This is the total share of the
government procurement
system in Colombia (more than
COP $100 trillion a year).
Colombia has made
every effort to enter into
Free Trade Agreements
and provide investors
with legal certainty.
Regulationsand
incentives

9. Double
TaxationAgreements(DTA)
International
InvestmentAgreements(IIA’s)
What are they?
The purpose of DTAs is to eliminate or reduce double taxation, promote
cooperation between states to combat tax evasion and to promote trade
between countries. The DTAs are limited to the tax on income and on
capital; indirect taxes such as sales tax ("VAT") are not covered by these
instruments, nor territorial taxes such as industry and commerce ("ICA")
are included.
More than 9
countries
Colombia has entered into
DTAs with countries like
Mexico, Chile, Canada,
Spain, Switzerland, India,
Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia.
What are they?
These are agreements created under a transparent regulatory framework
with a clear set of rules to reduce non-commercial risks for investors. These
are international Investment Agreements that provide security to foreign
investments in the country with which the agreement has been signed.
11
This is the total number of
current APPRIs with
countries like Chile, China,
Spain, India, and Peru.
FreeTradeAgreements
1,600
This is the total number
of companies that
exported their products
to the U.S.A. for the first
time during the first 2
years of the FTA with the
United States. These
include software and IT
services firms.
13 agreements
in force
The 13 trade agreements
entered into with over 50
countries include the
FTAs with the United
States, the European
Union, the Southern
Cone Common Market
(Mercado Comun del Sur,
Mercosur), Mexico, Chile,
and the Andean Nations
Community (Comunidad
Andina de Naciones,
CAN).
5 agreements
signed
With South Korea, Costa
Rica, Israel, Panama, and
the Pacific Alliance
pending Congress
approval to become
effective. Likewise,
Norway and Iceland are
pending confirmation of
their FTAs with
Colombia.
2 new
FTAs
Colombia is currently
negotiating agreements
with Turkey and Japan.

10. ValueAddedTax
exemptionfor
exportsservices
What is it?
A decree signed in 2013 that grants value added
tax (VAT) exemption for all services rendered
from within Colombia for exclusive foreign use or
consumption.
HabeasDataLaw
What is it?
In terms of legislating Personal Data Protection,
Colombia is current with international standards
on the protection of personal data.
LaborIncentive:
TaxDiscounts
In order to promote the hiring of people under 28
years of age and women older than 40 years of
age, as well as displaced, reintegrated and
disabled people, employers enjoy discounts in
income tax and in complementary parafiscal and
payroll contribution taxes for up to 3 years.
Supportforcompanies’
scientificandtechnological
development
Income tax deduction equivalent to 175% of the
amount invested in technological research and
development projects which does not exceed 40%
of the net income.
Full income tax exemption for 5 years for new
software developed with a high amount of scientific
and/or technological research.
The breakthroughs of Colombia
regarding competitiveness, productivity,
entrepreneurship, IT development, and
scientific and technological research
were achieved thanks to the efforts by
the National Government, regional
offices, and private organizations. The
major organizations in charge of
Colombia's development include:
Supporting
Offices

11. iNNpulsa
Office established in 2012 to
support and promote extraordinary
entrepreneurial development, that
is, business initiatives that can
develop quickly, cost-effectively,
and continuously. To meet this goal,
the office fosters a high level of
innovation and entrepreneurship.
National Learning Service
The National Learning Service (Servicio
Nacional de Aprendizaje, SENA)
develops and provides comprehensive
professional education and training
programs to bring people into
productive activities that contribute to
the social, economic, and technological
developmentofColombia.
Invest in Pereira
The investment promotion office of
Pereira and Risaralda promotes
investment among domestic and
internationalcompaniesintheregion.
Bancoldex
This is a second-tier bank that
designs and provides financial and
non-financial instruments to drive
competitiveness, productivity,
growth and development of micro,
small, medium and large Colombian
enterprises that both export or trade
domestically.
Ministry of Information
Technology and
Communications
Officeinchargeofdesigning,adopting,
and promoting IT&C policies, plans,
programs,andprojectslikeViveDigital
andDigitalTalent.
Productive Transformation
Program(PTP)
A National Government program
focused on improving Colombia’s
industry and on developing
companies in 20 sectors of key
importance to the domestic
economy, including Outsourcing &
BPO and software and IT
development.
Fedesoft
A non-profit private organization
that groups domestic and
international software firms and
develops strategies to drive the
software and IT sector and promote
Colombia as a world-class producer.
Proimagenes Colombia
The Mixed Fund for Film Promotion
(Proimagenes Colombia) is a non-
profit organization that aims to
consolidate and support Colombia's
film industry.
Proexport
Proexport is the government office in
chargeofattractingforeigninvestment,
supporting non- traditional exports,
and promoting the country as an
international tourism destination. It
providesitsclientswithcomprehensive
support and expert advice through its
domestic and international branch
offices, granting access to services and
means to facilitate the design
and implementation of their
internationalization strategy, looking to
create, develop, and consolidate
businessopportunities.
IGDA
The Video Game Developers
Association of Colombia (Asociacion
de Desarrolladores de Videojuegos
de Colombia, IGDA) is a non-profit
organization that aims to develop
and support the video game industry
of Colombia.
SOMOS
The Digital and Audiovisual Media
Contents Trade Union supports
animation and video game companies,
and promotes information, production,
and commercialization of these
contents.
COLCAPITAL
The Colombian Equity Funds
Association (Asociacion Colombiana
de Fondos de Capital, COLCAPITAL)
is a private equity funds trade union
that aims to support, develop, and
promote industry in Colombia.
ACI
The Cooperation and Investment
Office (Agencia de Cooperacion e
Inversion, ACI) of Medellin and the
Metropolitan Area promotes the city
and the region abroad through
cooperation, business deals,
and investments.
ProBarranquilla
This investment promotion office of
Barranquilla and the department of
Atlantico seeks to bring investment
projects and to promote the city as an
attractivedestinationforinvestors. Invest Pacific
The Investment Promotion Office of
the Colombian Pacific promotes
Valle del Cauca as Colombia’s
platform in the Pacific. It provides
services for current and potential
investors in order to attract new
investments in the region.
Invest in Bogota
The investment promotion office
of Bogota, it is a public-private
initiative between the Chamber of
Commerce of Bogota and the Capital
District. Its main goal is to support
investors who are looking for
opportunities in Bogota.
Colciencias
The Science, Technology, and
Innovation Administrative Department
(Departamento Administrativo de
Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacion,
Colciencias)promotespublicpoliciesto
foster science, technology, and
innovation(ST&I)inColombia.
Ministry of Trade,
Industry and Tourism
Office in charge of supporting
entrepreneurship, tourism projects,
and the production of goods, services
and technology across the country in
order to improve competitiveness and
sustainability, as well as promoting
value-addedproductsandservices.
ANDI
National Business Association of
Colombia (Asociacion Nacional de
Empresarios de Colombia, ANDI) is a
non-profit organization that promotes
andfostersthepolitical,economic,and
social principles of a free market
system.
Investment Promotion Offices
(Agencias de Promocion de Inversion, APRI)
ACI Medellin • Invest in Bogota • Invest in Pereira • Invest in Caldas • Invest in Armenia • Invest in Santander •
InvestPacific • Probaranquilla • Invest in Cucuta • Invest in Huila • Invest in Cartagena

12. “During the hardware and electronics revolution,
Colombia never had the chance to be a key player.
However, the country has the potential to become a
global leader in the digital era”.
These thoughts by the Minister Diego Molano Vega
(MinTIC) are starting to become a reality, and the
digital revolution is evident in two major sectors:
software & IT services and digital contents.
Learn why Colombia is now a global player!
Colombians’ aptitude, know-how, and
creativity are acknowledged around the
world, and they find a land of opportunities
in the software & IT services sector. In fact,
Colombia makes software for both the
domestic and international markets, and
the country provides IT services for
companies around the world.
Software
&
IT

13. Overview
Software & IT in Colombia and the
rest of the world.
+ USD $124 billion
Total IT market sales in Latin
America in 2013 (IDC).
+ USD $47 billion
Total software & IT services sales
in the region in 2013 (IDC).
+20% growth
Total expected growth of the
software & IT sector in the region
by 2016 (IDC).
$ USD 407.3 billion
Total worldwide returns for the
software industry in 2013, with a
total growth of 4.8% compared to
the previous year.
+ USD $3 billion
Total sales for the software & IT
sector in Colombia in 2013 (IDC).
It is expected that this figure will
double by 2018.
Colombia, Top 3
Colombia is the country with most
IT services sales in Latin America
after Brazil and Mexico.
Outstanding growth
Latin America is the region with
the highest development in this
sector, and Colombia is among the
leading countries. According to
data by IDC:
IT services sales increased by 10%
compared to 2012.
Between 2007 and 2012, the
software & IT sector grew by
177%.
Colombia is expected to show the
greatest development in the
region regarding IT services.
Outsourcing still
in the lead
Outsourcing adds to 42% of the
total IT services sales; however,
"Implementation and support” and
“Integration and development” are
getting a firm hold.
Distribution
ofITServices
Sales 2%
20%
11%
25%
42%
Outsourcing
Implementationandsupport
Integrationanddevelopment
Consultingservices
Trainingandeducation
2%
20%
11%
25%
42%
Outsourcing
Implementationandsupport
Integrationanddevelopment
Consultingservices
Trainingandeducation

14. USD $1 billion
Total sales in the Colombian
software industry by 2014 (BMI).
The most
sought-after services
The most sought-after services
among large companies in the
country are business risk
management and supply chain
management solutions.
The main industries
demanding software
and IT products
Telecommunications, financial,
government, mass consumption,
and manufacturing (BMI).
TotalsalesfortheITservices
industryinColombia:$2.23billionUSD
Source:GeneralcharacterizationofBPO,KPO,ITO(IDC,2013)
67% of solutions will
revolve around five
trends
Business solutions will be
centered on mobility, apps, Cloud
computing, social business, and Big
Data, with a combined share of
67% in 2020 (IDC).
+50%
Over half of employees use a
smart phone or device to conduct
businesses, and half of
organizations allow their use
(IDC). This trend, also known as
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD),
entails big opportunities for app
development, safety management,
and software administration.
The most
powerful cloud
The demand for cloud computing
apps and services will notably
increase among large companies
and MSMEs.
Globaltrends
Wearable and IoT
trends, the next big
thing
The Internet of Things (IoT) and
wearable technology will explode
in the next few years, driving Big
Data. Analysts estimate that
between 30 and 100 million items
will connect to the Internet by
2020.
Big Data:
The tip of the iceberg
The massive use of Internet, social
media, entrepreneurial and
government databases, and the
increasingly popular use of smart
mobile devices have driven a new
trend known as Big Data, which
helps make the best of large
amounts of data.
However, the Internet of Things
(IoT) and wearable technology will
boost data even more, and Big
Data will become a pivotal
element for thousands of
companies. A third of companies
will invest in Big Data within the
next 5 years (IDC).
New payment
methods
Electronic commerce will keep
developing thanks to the rise of
new payment methods, like
electronic wallets, mobile payment
platforms, and new technologies
like Near Field Communication
(NFC).
Sound apps
for daily life
The development of apps that help
with everyday tasks will continue
to grow in Latin America and the
rest of the world (IDC). Apps from
financial organizations, public
transportation systems and online
government tools will grow in
popularity.

15. Infrastructure, bolstered
through mobility
The Colombian Government is determined to develop the
air, road, port, and railway infrastructure with a budget
over USD $9 billion. Software and mobile communication
services are fundamental to improve efficiency, reduce
time, and control expenses.
The power sector also demands
mobile services
As with other sectors, the power industry demands
mobile communications services for process
optimization and network management.
Specializedhumantalent
Internet and mobile
apps: Pivotal services
for the banking
system
The financial sector is seeking to
expand the banking services in the
country, and apps and mobile
services are the perfect tool to
meet this goal thanks to the
widespread use of mobile Internet
and smart phones.
Telemedicine becomes a reality
Thanks to the country’s high Internet connectivity and the widespread use of smart phones and
mobile devices, telemedicine is now available for Colombians. As a result, both large
and small health institutions are looking for technological products
and services to help them care for their
patients remotely.
Oil and gas sector,
eager to implement IT
services
Colombian state oil company
Ecopetrol and related
transnationals are demanding
more and more IT services, like
mobile telecommunications to
optimize their drilling, extraction,
and logistics procedures.
Data management in
the rural sector
Small and large agricultural,
hunting, fishing, and forestry
producers are demanding data
management software to reduce
costs, conduct vermin control, and
improve their production chain.
295,574
This is the total number of graduates from Systems
Engineering and other IT-related careers in Colombia
between 2001 and 2012 (13.4% of the total of new
professionals).
Leading the region
Colombia has the most qualified manpower and
with the highest development in Latin America,
ahead of countries like Argentina, Chile, and
Brazil (IMD).
Domesticdemand

16. TotalITacademic
programs
47.2%
28.8%
19.4%
4.6%
The lowest costs in the region
While human talent from Colombia leads the region
and the monthly wages for sector-related workers are
among the highest in the country, they are still the
lowest in the continent, which makes Colombia the
most attractive country from which to hire IT staff.
+56,000 - iSpeak
This is the number of students certified by the iSpeak
program, which focuses on supporting bilingual
talent in Colombia.
+4,660 Digital talent beneficiaries
This is the total number of recipients of forgivable
loans to enroll in technical, technological, graduate,
and post-graduate programs with high demand in the
IT sector.
SystemsEngineering
andRelatedFields
ElectricEngineering
andRelatedFields
SystemsEngineering
andRelatedFields
ElectricEngineering
andRelatedFields
(2001-2012)
Monthlywages
forworkersintheITsector
Colombia
Argentina
Mexico
Peru
Brazil
Chile
Accountant Financial
Analyst
Economist Electronics
Engineer
ComputerScience
Engineer
1.718
1.719
2.341
1.325
1.966
2.680
1.407
2.341
3.191
1.691
2.050
2.794
1.564
1.963
2.690
3.024
3.163
4.818
3.461
3.622
5.516
4.122
4.313
6.568
3.609
3.776
5.751
3.474
3.635
5.536
*Includingalllaborbenefits Source:HumanCapital-SalaryExpert
ElectronicEngineering
Telecommunications
andRelatedFields
IndustrialEngineering
andRelatedFields

17. Local
opportunities
Colombia's potential is spread out across its regions,
bringing an additional competitive advantage over
other countries that concentrate around one or two
cities.
Six major regions present significant achievements for
the software & IT sector, each of them featuring
different strengths, advantages, and approaches.
(Source: “Strategic overview of the software sector and related
services” survey, MinTIC, 2013).
TheCaribbean:
Logisticsandtransportation
Antioquia:
Energy
Santander:
Miningandhydrocarbons
Cundinamarca:
Bankingandfinancialservices
ThePacific:
Agribusiness
CoffeeCulturalLandscape:
Agribusiness
Cundinamarca:
Bankingandfinancialservices
ThePacific:
Agribusiness
CoffeeCulturalLandscape:
Agribusiness
50 IT Mark-certified companies
This is the total number of companies certified
under this international IT model for MSMEs, and
other 63 companies are currently undergoing the
certification process.
78 CMMI-appraised companies
These companies are rated at different software
maturity levels according to the CMMI program and,
with the support of the Ministry of Information
Technologies and Communications, 40 are between
level 3 and 5. And 11 companies are in CMMI Level
5, and another 66 companies are under preparation
for future appraisal under the CMMI model.
Certifications
465 individuals certified in
TSP/PSP
Besides companies, 465 developers have personal
certifications, with 149 of them being certified by the
Software Engineering Institute (SEI), the international
authority in this field.
144 TSP/PSP-certified companies
Colombia has 144 companies with Team Software
Process/Personal Software Process certifications, and
more than 100 will soon obtain theirs.
15 companies holding other
certifications
Colombian IT companies are also certified according
to quality standards like MoProSoft and MPSBR.

18. TheCaribbean
Key infrastructure
The current main infrastructure developments in
Colombia include the Sun Route (Ruta del Sol), the
restoration of the navigable canal in the
Magdalena River, and the railway corridor.
Logistics and transportation
The Colombian Caribbean software & IT sector
focuses on logistics and transportation. 1.3 billion
consumers thanks to the local geographical
conditions.
Cartagena and Barranquilla,
world-class ports
Thanks to a focus on logistics and transportation,
both capital cities are expected to become major
ports in Latin America and be among the best
ports in the world by 2032.
Antioquia
Department Plan
The Science and Technology Plan of Medellin
includes a specific item common for both the IT and
energy industries.
Power
As the main energy companies gather in this region
(e.g., Empresas Publicas de Medellin, Isagen, or ISA),
local software & IT sector companies focus on the
power industry.
2 clusters
The region has one IT&C and one energy cluster that
complement each other to develop software and
technology solutions and to improve performance,
competitiveness, and profitability in the sector.
Santander
Development centers
The region has field-specific development
centers, like the Colombian Oil Institute
(Instituto Colombiano del Petroleo), with
the capacity to drive technological
solutions in the sector and reach not only
other regions of Colombia, but the rest of
the world.
Cundinamarca
First research group
Currently, there is a research group developing specialized
software for oil companies Ecopetrol and Halliburton.
Mining and hydrocarbons
Historically, this is the main industry in the region, and the
software & IT sector is heavily investing in it.
Demanding industry
Historically, banks have spearheaded the integration of new technologies and they are the industry with the
most stringent quality standards regarding software and services. Nowadays, organizations demand or
prefer CMMI-certified providers and PMP-certified project managers.
Banking and financing services
This industry is a regional priority for the software & IT sector, as Bogota hosts the headquarters of the
largest Colombian banks.

19. Agribusiness
In order to leverage the region’s
biodiversity and develop
environmentally-friendly
exploitation plans, the software
& IT sector in the Coffee
Cultural Landscape is placing its
bets on agribusiness.
Biotechnology and bioinformatics
The main opportunities for the sector are biotechnology and
bioinformatics applied in agriculture and agroindustrial activities.
2 challenges
The main challenges for the IT sector in the region are to develop
agricultural information systems and improve local competitiveness.
CoffeeCulturalLandscape
2 clusters in sync
PacifiTIC, a cluster promoting IT&C, and another that promotes
the agribusiness sector operate in the region. This promotes an
environment that facilitates the creation of joint projects.
Agribusiness
Considering the region's geographical
and economic features, the software &
IT sector lends its hand to agribusiness.
4 research groups
Focused on engineering, software,
biotechnology/bioinformatics,
and IT&C. (Source: Colciencias)
ThePacific
The main countries exporting software are United States, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, and Spain.
Export
opportunities:
United
States Spain
Mexico
Ecuador
Chile
Peru

20. Digital
Content The digital contents sector includes all creative
activity that leverages digital data and meets
the needs of the various economic sectors.

21. • Video games
• Animation
• Mobile apps
• Audiovisual products
• 2D and 3D animation
• Mobile apps
• Websites
• Motion graphics
• Advertising support and digital
marketing strategies, including
Branding Content
• Short and full-length film formats:
Films and television (series, soaps),
advertisement, documentaries.
• Advergames
• Augmented reality
In light of the strengths of Colombia’s
human talent and the high level of foreign
demand, Proexport’s internationalization
strategies revolve around mobile apps,
digital animation, audiovisual products,
and video games.
Colombia’sdigitalcontents
sub-sectorsare:
Themaindigitalcontent
productsmanufactured
inColombiainclude:
Allsectorsfocuson
entertainment,
advertisement,andutility
marketing/toolsand
education.

22. Overview:Digitalcontents inColombia
andtheworld 90% choose video
Video is the main product in the
digital contents sector, and more
than 90% of the online population
is expected to watch online
videos regularly by 2017
(Forrester Research).
66% video
This is the percentage of the
online video traffic in the world.
By 2018, this figure will increase
to 79% (Cisco Visual Networking
Index, 2013-2018).
More mobile devices
than people
In 2013, the total amount of
mobile devices and phones
exceeded 7 billion units, that is,
the global population total
(Cisco, 2013).
Portable devices
challenge television
In the US, people watch 127
minutes worth of content per
day from mobile apps, against
168 minutes of television. But
the time devoted to apps
increases by more than 30%
every year (Flurry, 2012).
Video games: As
profitable as movies
The American video game
industry produces revenues of
USD $24 billion in comparison
to USD $10 billion from
Hollywood productions.
USD $222 billion
This was the global income in
the animation market in 2013.
United States, Canada, Japan,
China, and France are the
largest markets (Global
Animation Industry, Digital
Vector, 2013).
Not just Internet
The demand of digital
animations comes not only from
websites or platforms like
YouTube or social media, but
also from the TV and cinema.
Major studios search
for allies
The main global digital content
producers are in search of
providers and partners around
the world in order to reduce
production costs, gain schedule
flexibility, and come up with new
ideas and creativity.
86.27% of companies
86.27% of Colombian digital
content companies have settled
in Bogota, Antioquia, and
Cundinamarca.
110 billion app
downloads
In May of 2013, the App Store
announced 50 billion app
downloads. On the other hand,
Google announced that the Play
Store had reached 48 billion.
The rest of the platforms add up
to about 12 billion. Downloads
keep increasing at a rate of more
than 30% per year.
USD $76 billion
This was the size of the
international video game market
in 2013. And it is expected to
reach USD $86 billion by 2016.
High demand from
China
This is the country with the
highest online video game
demand and revenues in the
world, with more than 30%
per year.
2 million apps
iOS has 900,000 apps available;
Android has 800,000 apps; and
Windows Phone and BlackBerry,
100,000 apps each. (Source:
Stores’ official data).
27% with mobile
marketing
Approximately 3 out of 10
companies in the world are
planning to implement mobile
marketing strategies
(Econsultancy, 2013).
Mobility: Disruptive
media
25% of media and marketing
executives identify mobility as
the most disruptive trend in the
industry (AdMedia Partners,
2013).
The HD boom
26% of the online video traffic
corresponds to high-definition
(HD) video, and it is expected to
reach 52% by 2018 (Cisco Visual
Networking Index, 2013-2018).
21% mobile
This is the global Internet traffic
coming from mobile devices.
And this figure is increasing at a
fast pace (Uberflip, 2013).

23. Generationofcompaniesin
Colombia
According to a survey by
Proexport and MinTic,
approximately 9 of every 10
companies in this sector were
founded between 2006 and
2014. The oldest company
was created in 1994.
88%
arenew
companies
Cauca
Quindio
Atlantico
Valle
Caldas
Santander
Cundinamarca
Antioquia
Bogota D. C.
Amount
Total51
Department
1
1
1
1
2
2
5
7
32
20
15
5
10
33
23
22
1994 - 2000 2001 - 2005 2006 - 2010 2011 - 2014

24. The growing demand of mobile devices will
boost the development of mobile apps
(Gartner, 2013).
3D animation will keep growing faster
than 2D animation due to the
development of devices supporting this
kind of content (Global Animation
Industry, Digital Vector, 2011)
The digital contents market will focus on
those with distribution rights and content
distribution optimization models.
The fast evolution of technology has made
digital animation available for mass
consumption and now this is one of the
fastest-growing industries (Global
Animation Industry, 2013).
Global
trends

25. Sub-
sectorsand
opportunities
Colombia’s digital contents
sector has 4 main sub-sectors:
Mobile apps, video games,
digital animation, and
audiovisual services.
Percentage of companies
per sub-sector
27%
20% 7%
4%
15%
12%
15%
E-books
OtherOther
Video
Games
Video
Games
Audiovisual
Products
Audiovisual
Products
Digital
Animation
Digital
Animation
Mobile
Apps
Mobile
Apps
Digital
Marketing
Digital
Marketing

26. Mobileapps
These are pieces of software for smart
phones, tablets, or other mobile devices.
There are numerous mobile app
categories, such as entertainment,
education, health, news, and professional
and business apps, among others.
Videogames
Electronic games are highly demanded
among adults, adolescents, and children,
and are available across different platforms,
like PCs, consoles, mobile devices, and even
social media like Facebook.
United
States
Brazil
Panama
Peru
Ecuador
Chile
Northern Triangle
United
Kingdom
Spain
Canada
Argentina
The Caribbean
Main destinations for Colombian
mobile apps and video games
Costa Rica

27. Digitalanimation
Digital animation is a technique that
creates moving images through
computer technology.
Graphics are 2D or 3D.
Animation end products appear in
movies, short films, advertising, video
games, augmented reality, commercials,
among others, and are created for
different platforms like TV, movie
theaters, websites, video game consoles,
PCs, and mobile devices, among others.
Main destinations for
Colombian animation

28. Audiovisualproducts
The concept of “audiovisual” mixes image
and sound to produce a new language or
experience. Just like digital animation,
audiovisual products are used across
different platforms like movies,
television, Internet, video games, and
mobile devices.
Main destinations for Colombian
audiovisual products
United
States
The Caribbean
Northern
Triangle
United
Kingdom
Spain
Canada
Brazil
Panama
Peru
Costa Rica

29. Anexportingsector
The main export destinations are
United States, Mexico, Canada, Latin
America, and Spain.
Over 53% of digital content companies
export their products and services.
Exports were more than 30% of these
firms’ incomes.
Yes
No
54%
United
States Spain
Canada
Latin
America
Mexico

30. Domains The main domains served by the digital
contents sector are entertainment,
government, and education. More than
40% of the companies belong to this area.
Total of companies per sector
served (domains).
Percentage of companies per
sub-sector
Media or formats where
productions are displayed
Entertaiment
Advertising/ Marketing
Entertaiment
Goverment
Education
Commerce
Other
Telecommunications
Finance
Health
41
20
19
12
10
10
10
8
8
7
5
4
4
3
2
2
2
25% 10%
4%
28%
7%
7%
Web
Mobile devices
Television
Films Consoles
Other

31. Maincompetitive
factorsin
companies
Human talent: High professional
quality and expertise
Use of value-added tools created
for different purposes
Creativity
High technical development capacity
Social responsibility
Custom products
Innovative products with high social
and educational content

32. MinTic
Programs
ViveLab
The ViveLab National Network is
comprised by 17 laboratories deployed
across the country. These labs have
cutting-edge technology to create,
develop, and produce digital content.
More than 4,000 people have been
trained at ViveLab.
Colombia3.0.
This is the top annual event for digital
content in Latin America.
During this event, the digital content
industry presents and promotes their
products and services, creates business
opportunities, and holds conferences
and workshop sessions with experts
and national and international leaders
in the field.

33. Film
IndustryAct
Law 1556 of 2012 supports the industry in
Latin America by promoting the national
territory as a location to film movies.
All full-length films, documentaries,
animations and telefilms (except
television series) recorded in part or
in full in Colombia are subject to a
percentage refund for the production
expenditures worth 40% of the total
expenses from cinematographic
services and 20% of the total
expenses from logistic services.

34. • Minimum spending of 1,800 current
minimum monthly wages (approximately
USD $600,000 ).
• The project must be registered by the
producer, and the producer must be a
legal entity.
• Filmed in part or in full within the
national territory.
• Foreign projects must hire
cinematographic services through
Colombian companies previously
registered with the Ministry of Culture.
Eligibility

35. Countrieslikely
toproduce
theirworkin
Colombia
United
States
Mexico
Spain
France
Argentina

36. COLOMBIA
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