In this episode of The Nearshore Cafe Podcast, host Brian Samson sits down with Ricky Michel, founder of Ualett, to talk about building a fintech company from the Dominican Republic—and why the gig worker and rideshare driver economy is still underserved by traditional banks.

Ricky shares how Ualettwas founded in 2018, how the team designed a mobile-first, low-friction liquidity experience by spending time directly with drivers, and why trust and empathy are essential when building financial products for independent workers. They also break down Ualett’s hybrid company structure—a U.S.-based operation serving the U.S. market with engineering and support talent in the DR—and what this model reveals about the growth of nearshoring and LATAM tech talent after 2020.

This episode is sponsored by Plugg Technologies (plugg.tech), connecting U.S. companies with top software engineers and digital talent across Latin America.

Topics Covered

• Building fintech products for gig workers and freelancers
• Why traditional banking struggles with variable income and cash flow
• Mobile-first product design for rideshare drivers
• Ualett’s U.S. + Dominican Republic hybrid operating model
• Skills-based hiring and building engineering teams in the DR
• A founder lesson on preparation, timing, and early-stage fundraising
• Why Latin America has become a major nearshore talent hub

Host: Brian Samson
Sponsor: Plugg Technologies (plugg.tech)
Guest: Ricky Michel, Founder of Ualett

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

In this episode of The Nearshore Cafe Podcast, host Brian Samson sits down with Ximena “Xime” Aleman, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Prometeo, one of Latin America’s leading fintech infrastructure companies. Xime shares her unlikely journey from journalism to fintech entrepreneurship, and how her storytelling background became a strategic advantage in building a company that now connects 1,000+ financial institutions across 11 countries.

Xime breaks down how Latin America’s financial ecosystem really works—from real-time payment systems like PIX and SPEI, to open banking regulations in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. She explains why financial inclusion requires more than opening bank accounts, and how improving the experience of money is critical in cash-heavy, inflation-prone economies.

The conversation also explores Uruguay’s unique role in the region, the challenges of fundraising from a small market, and how persistence turned early “no’s” from investors into long-term relationships. Xime closes by sharing a local’s guide to Montevideo, including food, wine, and why Uruguay’s calm coastal life is perfect for founders.

This episode is sponsored by Plugg Technologies, helping U.S. companies hire top engineering talent across Latin America.

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

In this episode of The Nearshore Cafe Podcast, host Brian Samson sits down with Agustín Guerra, CEO & Co-Founder of Vangwe, to explore one of the fastest-growing sectors in the region: Latin America’s fintech and wealthtech ecosystem.

Agustín shares his global journey from Montevideo to China, Germany, Poland, London, and the Netherlands, and how living across continents shaped his perspective as a fintech founder. He discusses the early days of LATAM fintech, the rise of digital payments, and how countries like Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil are shifting from cash-based systems to modern digital finance.

The conversation dives deep into how second-generation fintech startups are now being built on top of the first wave, unlocking innovation in investing, digital wallets, cross-border payments, and wealthtech solutions. Agustín also explains why Latin American consumers—long focused on homeownership as their only “investment”—are finally embracing public markets, fractional investing, and financial education.

Agustín gives a behind-the-scenes look at Vangwe, the company he co-founded to help fintechs scale with engineers who truly understand payments, banking, and financial infrastructure. He shares insights on hiring top tech talent in Uruguay and Argentina, navigating hardware and customs challenges, and why Uruguay remains the “Switzerland of Latin America” for building global tech businesses.

Whether you're a founder, investor, or operator in fintech or nearshoring, this episode reveals what’s coming next for LATAM fintech in 2026, how new rails and platforms are accelerating innovation, and why the region is becoming a global hub for fintech engineering.

🎙️ Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/ilid7jOosTM

Sponsored by Plugg Technologies (PLUGG.Tech) — connecting top Latin American talent with U.S. companies.

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

Global hiring is shifting — fast. In 2025, U.S. companies are moving away from India and Asia, turning instead to Latin America for tech talent, loyalty, and time-zone alignment.

In this episode of The Nearshore Cafe Podcast, host Brian Samson, Founder of Plugg Technologies, talks with Evan Greenberg, Director of Client Solutions at Plugg, about what’s really driving this transformation.

They discuss the massive rise in nearshoring, how AI and data roles are reshaping recruiting, and why Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina are becoming the new global tech hubs.

You’ll also learn about the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model that’s helping startups and mid-market companies scale fast — without the headaches of compliance or setup.

From fake resumes to loyalty challenges and H-1B visa changes, this episode breaks down the biggest staffing stories of the year — straight from the front lines of hiring.

🎧 Listen now to hear how Latin America is redefining the future of remote work, loyalty, and innovation.

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

Host Brian Samson, founder of Plugg Technologies, breaks down the Trump administration’s proposed $100K H-1B visa fee and how it’s reshaping the global tech talent market. He explains why this massive policy shift could reduce opportunities for engineers in India and China—and accelerate the nearshoring movement across Latin America.

Brian dives into the geopolitical motivations, trade tensions, and economic ripple effects driving this change, from BRICS alliances to U.S. labor shortages. He also highlights how Latin America’s talent pool, time zone alignment, and cultural compatibility make it the most strategic alternative for U.S. companies scaling distributed teams.

🎧 Tune in to understand how policy, politics, and proximity are redefining global hiring—and why Latin America is winning the nearshore race.

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies | 🔗 LinkedIn
🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America. 🌐 plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: Listen on Spotify
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: Listen on Apple Podcasts
💼 LinkedIn: Follow on LinkedIn
🌐 Website: nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

Host Brian Samson talks with Denis Champagne, a Fractional CRO and Strength Coach, about how leadership, culture, and adaptability drive nearshore success across Latin America. Denis shares his journey from growing up bilingual in Canada to discovering the depth and resilience of Latin American culture through language, travel, and business.

Together, they explore how empathy, communication, and cultural intelligence shape stronger remote teams and meaningful professional relationships. Denis also breaks down the “conquered vs. colonized” mindset, revealing how history influences today’s approach to collaboration, sales, and leadership across borders.

🎧 Tune in for practical lessons on adaptability, emotional intelligence, and what Latin America can teach global leaders about growth, connection, and success.

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

🎙️ The Nearshore Cafe Podcast | Hosted by Brian Samson

In this episode, Brian Samson — founder of Plugg Technologies and host of The Nearshore Cafe Podcast — shares a powerful success story from a booming Series A tech startup based in Atlanta. With over $50 million raised, this company had the resources to hire from anywhere in the world. But instead of battling the fierce 2022 Silicon Valley talent wars, they chose a smarter path: senior full-stack developers from Latin America.

💡 Hear how Plugg.tech connected their VP of Engineering with top-tier developers from Brazil and Argentina, skilled in React and JavaScript, who not only hit milestones but truly integrated into the team — delivering clean, high-quality code and bringing product vision to life.

✅ Topics covered:

• Scaling engineering teams post-Series A
• Why Latin America is a smart talent market
• Real-world results from nearshore hiring
• Benefits of hiring senior nearshore developers

🔗 Learn more about how Plugg.tech can help you scale with nearshore engineering talent:

👉 https://plugg.tech

📢 Subscribe for more nearshoring stories, tech hiring insights, and startup growth strategies with Brian Samson.

#NearshoreDevelopers #PluggTech #BrianSamson #TechHiring #LatinAmericaTechTalent #Nearshoring #EngineeringSuccess #StartupScaling #RemoteTeams #SeriesAFunding #TheNearshoreCafe

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

In this episode of The Nearshore Cafe Podcast, host Brian Samson (founder of Plugg Technologies) dives deep with Fernando Soto, a senior Business Analyst working remotely from Guadalajara, Mexico. From humble roots in Tijuana to leading global tech projects, Fernando reveals the real story of life as a nearshore tech professional.

📉 Laid off after 16 years at HP.

🚀 Reinvented his career through remote work.

🌐 Now shaping product success for U.S. companies from Mexico.

🎯 What You’ll Learn:

• The surprising truth about growing up in Tijuana

• What a Business Analyst really does (and why it matters)

• How AI is changing BA workflows overnight

• Best practices for managing cross-border tech teams

• Why Guadalajara is a global tech hub on the rise

👥 Who This Is For:

CTOs • Product Managers • Engineering Leaders • Ops Managers • Remote Hiring Teams

If you’re building or managing remote teams—especially in Latin America—this is a must-watch.

💼 Sponsored by Plugg Technologies

Plugg connects U.S. companies with elite Latin American software professionals.

👉 https://www.plugg.tech

📲 Subscribe for Weekly Insights

🧠 Real-world tech career stories

🎙️ Nearshoring playbooks

🌍 Latin America’s top talent perspectives

🎥 youtube.com/@thenearshorecafe

⏱️ Timestamps

0:00 Meet Fernando – From Tijuana to Guadalajara

2:00 Chinese food in Tijuana? Yes, really.

6:00 Why Fernando abandoned veterinary dreams for tech

10:00 16 years at HP—and the shock of getting laid off

13:00 Building cross-border teams that actually work

20:00 The truth about remote culture, recognition & retention

28:00 How AI is transforming the Business Analyst role

31:00 Advice for hiring nearshore talent in 2025

🔗 Listen on All Platforms

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpm…

🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…

🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe

#TheNearshoreCafePodcast #Nearshoring #RemoteTechTeams

#BusinessAnalyst #PluggTechnologies #GuadalajaraTech

#LATAMTechTalent #RemoteHiring #CrossBorderCollaboration

#AIinTech #Tijuana #GlobalTeams #RemoteWork #CBAP

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast