Guyana’s first ‘futuristic’ Innovation Village to bring cutting-edge technology to local economy

From left to right: David Sierra (CEO of Guyana Innovation Group), Juan ALberto Ortiz (Cofounder of Andes BPO), Rubén Darío Cardona (Cofounder of E Global), Alvaro Piedrahita (DAR Group), Luiz Simon (CEO for the Americas at OEC), Rogelio Ribas (Baptist Health), Peter Ramsroop (CEO GoInvest), Robert Lavia (CEO UMUSIC Hotels), Ashni Singh (Minister of Finance), Bryan Sherbacow (CEO Alder Fuels), Oneidge Walrond (Minister of Tourism), Agustin Arellano (CFO NV2A Group), Susan Rodrigues (Minister within the Ministry of Housing), HE President Irfaan Ali (President of Guyana), Rodrigo Arboleda (Chairman and Cofounder of Guyana Innovation Group), Rodrigo Veloso (Cofounder of Guyana Innovation Group), Collin Croal (Minister of Housing), Maurizio Marchiori (Partner at BPG), Gunther Grineberg (Partner at BPG), Mustapha Madi (DAR Group), Bashar Rihani (DAR Group), Costin Bontas (Investor), Richard Lewis (Board Member Republic Bank), Bishop Juan A. Edghill (Minister of Public Works)

The Guyana Innovation Group is set to introduce the first-ever Innovation District that will host multiple tech solutions while developing a resilient and futuristic economy.

The Guyana Innovation Group was created to be the link connecting capabilities, cutting-edge technologies, incredible talent, and networks to advance Guyana’s non-oil networks.

With Guyana having recently discovered one of the world’s biggest oil and gas reserves, the Group has introduced this Innovation Village as a sustainable solution to capture and utilise wealth from the oil and gas stream.

This Innovation Village hopes to prepare citizens for a knowledge-based economy, foster a new tech start-up scene, and host innovative world-class organisations.

The Innovation Village in the heart of Silica City has already drawn interest from multiple renowned organisations, including Boston’s MIT, DAR design and engineering firm, the Formula E ecosystem, and Universal Music and Hotels.

Silica City, located in the south of Georgetown, will be Guyana’s first modern smart city. Its sustainable and climate-friendly design is in keeping with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), conforming to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

An aerial view of the Silica City site (MOHW-CH&PA photo)

The idea of the city was based on the need for Guyana to have an urban centre that is complementary to the existing capital city of Georgetown.

Innovation districts like these are geographic areas where leading-edge anchor institutions and companies cluster and connect with start-ups, business incubators, and accelerators.

Key enabling technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and big data are used to develop unique, innovative solutions. These districts are also physically compact, transit-accessible, and technically wired and offer mixed-use housing, office, and retail.

Chairman and co-founder of the Guyana Innovation Group, Rodrigo Arboleda, could not conceal his excitement in being a part of this laudable feat. In his words, “The Innovation Village is a nation-building project that connects science, technology, and innovation with the well-being of society. Our goal is to bring to Guyana the right allies that will help the country evolve into a cutting-edge nation. The Innovation Village will become the flagship project of an entire transformation.”

Luis Videgaray, head of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Policy for the World Project, spoke on the immense potential of the Innovation Village.

“We are very proud to contribute to the thinking and ideas that may result in a transformational project for society. MIT is moving towards creating the right mechanisms to participate around Artificial Intelligence that will deliver well-being to society.”

Business leaders, governments, investors, innovators, and the general public with an eye for discovering untapped opportunities are invited to witness a turning point in Guyana’s history.