Small and mid-sized businesses with 100, 50, or even just 20 employees are now doing something that used to require Fortune 500 budgets and infrastructure: they’re launching remote subsidiaries. What was once the exclusive territory of large contact centers is now being reimagined as Micro Global Capability Centers (Micro GCCs)—compact nearshore hubs in Latin America that handle anything from software development and DevOps to data analytics, customer support, finance operations, and even AI innovation.
A recent article from Nearshore Americas explores this fast-growing trend, and explains why both startups and enterprise firms are choosing partners like AgilityFeat to establish operations in Latin American countries like Colombia and Costa Rica through the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.
Michael Fullwood, a partner at advisory firm ISG said in the article:
What was once the domain of large corporations is now being redefined by lean, nimble businesses. These compact offshore hubs, dubbed ‘micro GCCs’, are spreading fast in Latin America too — particularly in Costa Rica, Chile, and Colombia.”
Why Companies Choose BOT Over Traditional Outsourcing
“Most GCCs today are built using one of three models: DIY (Do It Yourself), BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer), or Hybrid BOT. Among them, the BOT model has emerged as a favorite — especially among foreign companies looking to test unfamiliar markets without incurring too much risk upfront.”
Let’s look at why.
1. Cybersecurity and Compliance
The rise in cybersecurity threats—and the need to meet stringent compliance requirements—makes traditional outsourcing models less attractive for industries like FinTech, HealthTech, and InsurTech.
By establishing their own nearshore teams through a subsidiary, companies retain full control over security protocols, compliance processes, and data governance, rather than handing them off to a third party.
2. Access to Stable, High-Quality Tech Talent
One of the greatest advantages of nearshoring to Latin America is access to a deep, diverse pool of skilled professionals. Remote teams provide stability for top talent, who prefer long-term employment and meaningful work with global companies—without needing to move abroad.
By offering permanent roles instead of short-term contracts, nearshore centers are better positioned to attract and retain top engineers, data scientists, and operations staff in competitive markets.
3. Low-Risk Market Entry with Long-Term Potential
The BOT model has emerged as a favorite for companies looking to test the waters in Latin America without committing to a full acquisition or local entity right away.
In this model, partners like AgilityFeat:
- Set up your initial infrastructure
- Handle hiring and management
Ensure legal and regulatory compliance - Transfer operations to you once the team is established and stable
It’s a strategic middle ground between outsourcing and insourcing, giving companies flexibility, speed, and control.
The Strategic Advantage of Build-Operate-Transfer Models
“As generative AI reshapes business models and remote work blurs geographical boundaries, building GCCs has become more of a strategic necessity than a luxury for SMEs looking to scale fast.”
The shift toward nearshore hubs isn’t just about cost savings—it’s about building strategic advantage. These operations offer:
- Scalability without the overhead of large-scale operations
- Direct control over your development processes and quality standards
- Cultural alignment through dedicated teams that understand your business
- Innovation capacity through access to emerging LatAm tech talent
- Risk mitigation through local compliance and legal expertise
Beyond Software Development: Diverse Nearshore Operations
In biotech, they might oversee drug lifecycle management. In manufacturing, they’re streamlining supply chains. And in banking, they’re leading tech-driven transformation and engineering projects.
While many firms start with software development or analytics, today’s Micro GCCs support a much wider range of operations. According to Nearshore Americas, they are increasingly playing core roles across verticals:
- Biotech: Overseeing drug lifecycle management
- Manufacturing: Streamlining global supply chains
- Banking & Finance: Leading AI-driven digital transformation projects
- Retail & Logistics: Supporting customer experience and predictive analytics
- AI/ML: Training models, building pipelines, and automating internal tools
How Small Companies Can Establish Latin American Operations
The challenge for most SMEs isn’t recognizing the value of establishing their own LatAm operations—it’s navigating the complexities of doing so without local knowledge, legal expertise, or operational experience in the region.
This is where the BOT model becomes particularly powerful. By partnering with experienced local operators, companies can establish their micro-centers with minimal upfront risk while building toward eventual ownership. The right partner handles everything from initial setup and legal compliance to talent recruitment and operational management, then gradually transfers control as the operation matures.
Ready to Explore Your Own Micro-Center?
At AgilityFeat, we make it possible for companies of any size to build their own center of excellence in Latin America. Our Build-Operate-Transfer model eliminates the guesswork and risk, letting you focus on growing your business.
Contact us to learn how we can help you launch your nearshore development or operations center.
Related Reading:
- FinTech Nearshoring: Why a LATAM Build Operate Transfer Model Beats Traditional Outsourcing
- Colombia: An Ideal Nearshore Hub for US Companies
- How US Companies Benefit from the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Approach to Nearshore Team Building
- U.S. Tech Teams Open New Paths for Latin American Developers
