I recently met up with two more Brazilian software and IT services firms who are establishing a beachhead in the UK, both based in Rio de Janeiro, but with very different market propositions.
Risk management software firm, Modulo, has been around since 1985 and already has an established international customer base. They recently set up a permanent EMEA office in Bracknell under the command of Simon Claridge (ex-Symantec, HP, EMC et al), and likewise in Mumbai for the Asia/Pacific region. Currently some 85% of Modulo’s business comes from Brazilian clients, a significant proportion from the Brazilian government. But their client roll-call is also replete with multinational companies in Banking, Healthcare, Energy/Utilities, Retail and Telecoms sectors. It’s an interesting ‘GRC’ (governance, risk and compliance) story and, for me at least, pleasantly surprising to find another Brazilian software firm making a mark on the world stage (see And Brazilian Company of the Year is … Totvs!).
Consultancy MJV started life as a bespoke software development house some 15 years ago, but has since become part IT services firm (with a Business Intelligence strong suit), part mobile integrator and – the rather different bit – part ‘Design Thinking’ strategic business consultancy. Co-founder Dr Ysmar Vianna (his son, Mauricio is the other co-founder) patiently tried to explain the concepts of Design Thinking to me over dinner. Although I can only admit to grasping the gist, it seems the technique is well known in the consulting industry, and there are a number of consultancy boutiques around the world who are specialist practitioners. MJV also boasts a clientele of marquee names including Brazilian and global brands.
Like Pandorga (see Pandorga turns offshore delivery into two-way trade) and Tempest Security Intelligence (see Brazilian Tempest brings ethical hacking storm to UK), Modulo and MJV are looking for clients and partners in the UK. I can’t help feeling that there may be opportunities for British firms to turn such arrangements into a ‘two-way’ street, perhaps providing an entrée into the otherwise difficult to penetrate Brazilian marketplace.