By: Joshua Finley

Tony Delgado, a renowned tech entrepreneur and philanthropist, is not just building businesses in Puerto Rico—he’s building a movement. One of his most ambitious initiatives is Disrupt Week, a seven-day festival that mirrors the renowned South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas. Like SXSW, Disrupt Week is designed to bring together the brightest minds in tech, entrepreneurship, and innovation, but with a unique focus: Puerto Rico’s economic and technological future​.

Delgado’s goal is to put Puerto Rico on the map as a hub for digital innovation, attracting entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders from around the globe. Disrupt Week offers workshops, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities, all aimed at empowering local talent while drawing in global influencers to share their knowledge. By fostering collaboration between local innovators and international experts, Delgado hopes to spark a tech revolution on the island.

Empowering Local Talent

At the heart of Disrupt Week’s mission is the idea of empowerment through education. Delgado understands that Puerto Rico’s future depends on its ability to embrace technology and innovation, particularly as the island continues to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria. To this end, Disrupt Week is not just a networking event for seasoned professionals—it’s a platform for students and young entrepreneurs to gain access to world-class education and mentorship​.

One of the key features of Disrupt Week is its partnership with the University of Puerto Rico, which provides free tickets to hundreds of local students, ensuring that they can benefit from the event regardless of their financial situation. “We want to make sure that Puerto Rican youth have the same opportunities as anyone else in the world,” Delgado says. “Disrupt Week is about showing them that they don’t need to leave the island to succeed in tech.”

A Vision for Puerto Rico’s Future

Tony Delgado’s vision for Puerto Rico extends far beyond Disrupt Week. His ultimate goal is to make the island a global tech hub, attracting talent and investment in the same way that SXSW has turned Austin into a center for tech and creative industries. Puerto Rico, Delgado believes, is uniquely positioned to become a major player in the digital economy, thanks to its strategic location, growing tech community, and relatively low cost of living.

“We’re building the infrastructure for a new Puerto Rican economy, one that is based on technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship,” Delgado explains. “Disrupt Week is just the beginning. We want to create a tech ecosystem that not only attracts outside investment but also encourages local talent to stay and thrive”​.

Global Collaboration and Local Impact

What makes Disrupt Week particularly impactful is its global reach. The event draws influential speakers and entrepreneurs from all over the world, including tech titans like Grant Cardone, David Meltzer, and John Malott. These individuals share their expertise on everything from venture capital to social media marketing, offering Puerto Rican entrepreneurs insights that would normally only be accessible at top-tier conferences around the world​.

But it’s not just about global knowledge—it’s about local impact. Delgado has been working closely with Puerto Rican entrepreneurs and organizations to ensure that Disrupt Week is a catalyst for lasting change on the island. From organizing mentorship programs to helping local businesses secure funding, Delgado’s focus is on creating tangible outcomes that will help Puerto Rico’s tech sector grow in the years to come.

Fostering a Culture of Innovation

Disrupt Week is also about fostering a culture of innovation on the island. In Puerto Rico, Delgado sees a tremendous amount of untapped potential, particularly among young people who are eager to learn and innovate. By bringing together global thought leaders and local talent, Disrupt Week is cultivating an environment where new ideas can flourish, and where young entrepreneurs can gain the skills they need to succeed in the global marketplace​.

“Puerto Rico has everything it needs to become a major player in the tech world,” Delgado says. “We have the talent, the creativity, and the drive. What we need now is the infrastructure and the opportunities, and that’s what Disrupt Week is all about—creating those opportunities”​.

Tony Delgado’s Disrupt Week is more than just an event—it’s the cornerstone of a tech revolution in Puerto Rico. By bringing together global influencers, local entrepreneurs, and ambitious students, Delgado is laying the groundwork for an economy built on technology and innovation. His vision is bold, but with initiatives like Disrupt Week and his broader efforts through Disrupt University, Delgado is proving that Puerto Rico has the potential to become a major force in the global digital economy.

As Puerto Rico continues to rebuild from the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Delgado’s work is a beacon of hope for the island’s future. Through education, mentorship, and collaboration, Disrupt Week is creating a path for Puerto Rico to thrive in the modern economy—and for its people to take control of their own economic destinies.

Published by: Martin De Juan