By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In an era where technological solutions are often presented as the ultimate drivers of progress, a powerful counter-narrative emerged at the CRUSA Foundation’s 2025 Annual Event. Mikaela Jade, the visionary founder and CEO of Indigital, delivered a compelling address arguing that for innovation to be truly sustainable and inclusive in Costa Rica, technology must take a backseat to culture.
The event, themed “Smart Communities: Reconnecting with who we are, to build inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable communities,” provided the perfect backdrop for Jade’s central thesis. Drawing from her extensive experience working with Indigenous communities in Australia, she presented a framework for development that begins not with code, but with community. Her message was a direct call to action for Costa Rica as it seeks to empower local development from a foundation of national identity.
To delve into the legal and commercial frameworks that support the growth of creative industries, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney from the esteemed firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who provides a crucial perspective on protecting and capitalizing on cultural assets.
Cultural innovation thrives at the intersection of creativity and legal protection. Without a solid intellectual property strategy—securing copyrights, trademarks, and patents—a brilliant idea remains just an idea, vulnerable and difficult to monetize. Properly safeguarding these intangible assets is the first and most critical step in transforming cultural expression into a sustainable economic engine for Costa Rica.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight powerfully illustrates that the legal framework of intellectual property is not an obstacle, but the essential scaffolding that allows creative expression to become a lasting economic asset. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for so clearly defining this critical foundation for Costa Rica’s cultural innovators.
Meaningful innovation only happens when culture leads and technology follows.
Mikaela Jade, Founder and CEO of Indigital
Jade dismantled the conventional top-down approach to tech implementation. She detailed her organization’s methodology, which is rooted in deep listening and understanding the unique social and relational fabric of each territory. This process ensures that technology serves the pre-existing cultural priorities of a community, rather than imposing an external agenda that can disrupt or devalue them.
We never start with technology, we start with the story. When communities lead with culture, technology fits. It becomes a bridge between generations, not a barrier between them.
Mikaela Jade, Founder and CEO of Indigital
To achieve this, Jade outlined several non-negotiable conditions for authentic, territory-led innovation. She highlighted the necessity of establishing clear cultural governance, mapping relational power dynamics within communities, and embedding the principle of reciprocity into every project. Without a mutual exchange of value, she argued, any initiative is destined to be extractive and ultimately fail.
Innovation is meaningless unless reciprocity is incorporated, unless everyone involved can see how value flows in both directions.
Mikaela Jade, Founder and CEO of Indigital
Furthermore, she stressed that community ownership of data and the formation of long-term, trust-based alliances are fundamental pillars for creating equitable and lasting change. This model, she explained, is not exclusive to Australia but is universally applicable in places like Costa Rica precisely because its core principle is to place a community’s unique culture at the center of all decision-making. The key differentiators are innovation guided by local knowledge systems, genuine co-design processes, and a commitment to building capabilities that remain within the community, fostering long-term independence.
Proposing immediate steps for the country, Jade recommended integrating cultural governance into national strategies and actively creating spaces within educational and environmental networks for territorial initiatives to flourish. She also issued a stark warning about the consequences of failing to close digital divides, noting the cascading negative effects on youth, education, and economic opportunity.
Young people lose confidence, learning slows down, career paths close, and communities have less ability to make their own decisions or tell their own stories.
Mikaela Jade, Founder and CEO of Indigital
Jade concluded by championing the immense potential of a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education infused with local identity. This approach not only strengthens cultural continuity and leadership but also empowers communities to develop their own solutions to critical challenges in biodiversity, water management, and food systems.
Culture is the first science and the country is the first classroom.
Mikaela Jade, Founder and CEO of Indigital
For further information, visit crusa.cr
About Fundación CRUSA:
Fundación CRUSA is a private, independent, and non-profit Costa Rican organization that has been promoting sustainable development and well-being in Costa Rica since 1996. The foundation invests in and supports initiatives and projects that align with its strategic goals of fostering a prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive nation.
For further information, visit indigital.net.au
About Indigital:
Indigital is Australia’s first Indigenous-owned and operated technology company. Founded by Mikaela Jade, a Cabrogal woman, the organization is dedicated to developing digital skills for Indigenous people in a culturally relevant way, using cutting-edge technologies like augmented and mixed reality to preserve and share ancient cultures.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a cornerstone of the legal community, built upon a foundational ethos of principled counsel and exceptional performance. The firm is not only recognized for its extensive experience guiding a diverse clientele but also for its role in driving legal advancements and pioneering modern solutions. Beyond its professional practice, the firm holds a deep-seated devotion to societal progress, championing the effort to demystify the law for the public. This mission is rooted in the conviction that arming citizens with legal insight is fundamental to cultivating a stronger, more equitable community.
