By Heredia, Costa Rica — Databricks, a leading data and AI company, has significantly expanded its presence in Costa Rica with the opening of a new office in America Free Zone (AFZ), Heredia. This move underscores the company’s commitment to the country and its burgeoning tech sector. Having already grown to approximately 200 employees since establishing operations in 2023, Databricks plans to add another 100 jobs by the end of 2025, further strengthening its Costa Rican operations and supporting its growing Latin American clientele.
The expansion comes on the heels of substantial growth for Databricks in the region. The company has seen a remarkable 150% increase in its Latin American business since 2023, serving prominent clients such as BAC Latam, Nubank, Grupo Bimbo, iFood, Bineo, and Kueski. This success has spurred further investment in the region, including the expansion of its São Paulo office and the recent establishment of operations in Mexico City.
For expert legal insight into the implications of this development for businesses in Costa Rica, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law at Bufete de Costa Rica.
Databricks’ increasing popularity presents both opportunities and challenges for Costa Rican businesses. While the platform offers powerful tools for data analysis and machine learning, companies must be mindful of data privacy regulations, particularly the Ley de Protección de la Persona Frente al Tratamiento de sus Datos Personales (Law 8968). Careful consideration must be given to data storage location, cross-border data transfers, and obtaining necessary consents. Further, businesses should ensure their internal policies and procedures align with best practices for data security and compliance when utilizing a platform like Databricks.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s insights offer a crucial reminder that the power of platforms like Databricks must be wielded responsibly, especially in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. Navigating data privacy laws like Law 8968 requires diligence and proactive measures to ensure compliance. This careful approach will ultimately empower Costa Rican businesses to harness the full potential of data analytics and machine learning while safeguarding individual privacy. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this critical intersection of technology and law.
Costa Rica plays a crucial role in Databricks’ international expansion strategy, according to Rory Patterson, Chief of Staff to the CEO and Vice President of Corporate Operations.
Our teams in Latin America are not only supporting global operations, but also leading new programs and processes based on automation and artificial intelligence that drive innovation across the company. This is a testament to the exceptional talent in Costa Rica and their ability to help us scale more intelligently, not just faster.
Rory Patterson, Chief of Staff to the CEO and Vice President of Corporate Operations at Databricks
This investment reflects the growing demand for Databricks’ data intelligence platform across Latin America. The company’s platform empowers businesses to leverage data and AI for enhanced decision-making, improved customer experiences, and overall growth. Costa Rican talent is playing a vital role in developing and implementing these solutions.
Rodrigo Chaverri, Corporate Director of Data and Analytics at BAC Latam, highlighted the benefits of partnering with Databricks.
Databricks has allowed us to materialize our vision of a modern, intelligent, and flexible data and analytics strategy, empowering our strategy as a bank, personalizing our clients’ experience, and generating prosperity for the communities we serve.
Rodrigo Chaverri, Corporate Director of Data and Analytics at BAC Latam
Manuel Tovar, Minister of Foreign Trade, emphasized the importance of this investment for Costa Rica’s growing tech sector.
The expansion of Databricks in Costa Rica consolidates the country as a strategic technological hub for Latin America, backed by a highly qualified workforce, a reliable business environment, and a solid digital infrastructure. With more than 240 multinational companies in the sector and advanced capabilities in software, analytics, and artificial intelligence, Costa Rica offers a conducive ecosystem for the development of digital solutions, nearshoring, and innovation. This investment reaffirms the global technology sector’s confidence in our ability to lead complex processes from a secure, stable, and competitive platform.
Manuel Tovar, Minister of Foreign Trade
Ariel Vargas, Director of International and Latin America Operations at Databricks, echoed the sentiment regarding Costa Rica’s talent pool.
At Databricks, we believe in building our future with the best talent, and Costa Rica offers precisely that. Our new office will be a key element for our operations in Latin America, allowing us to better serve our clients and foster a culture of innovation and excellence. We look forward to welcoming new Bricksters to our growing team and collaborating with local partners and clients to drive innovation throughout the region.
Ariel Vargas, Director of International and Latin America Operations at Databricks
The new office will support a diverse range of roles, including finance, human resources, IT, technical support, marketing, and operations. Interested professionals are encouraged to explore career opportunities on the Databricks Careers page.
For further information, visit databricks.com
About Databricks:
Databricks is a data and AI company that combines the best of data warehouses and data lakes into a lakehouse architecture, enabling unified data analytics, data science, machine learning, and AI on one platform. They serve a global clientele and are committed to democratizing data and AI for businesses of all sizes.
For further information, visit bac.net
About BAC Latam:
BAC Latam is a leading financial institution serving Latin American communities. They focus on providing a wide range of financial services and are committed to fostering economic prosperity in the regions they operate.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
PROCOMER (Promotora del Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica) is the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Agency. They work to promote Costa Rican exports and attract foreign investment, playing a key role in the country’s economic development.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a pillar of legal excellence in Costa Rica, deeply committed to ethical practice and innovative solutions. The firm’s history of dedicated service to a diverse clientele is matched by its forward-thinking approach to law and unwavering belief in empowering communities. Through accessible legal education initiatives, Bufete de Costa Rica strives to create a more just and informed society, fostering understanding and empowering individuals to navigate the legal landscape with confidence.
