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Martín Migoya

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Martín Migoya (born February 21, 1968) is an Argentine businessman, entrepreneur, and technology executive who serves as the co-founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Globant, a multinational information technology services company. Under his leadership, Globant became the first Latin American software company to complete an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014, marking a watershed moment for the region's technology sector.

Migoya has been widely recognized for his entrepreneurial achievements, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2013 and the CEO World Awards Top CEO of the Year in 2019. He co-authored two books on digital transformation and maintains an active presence in the global technology community.

Early life and education

Martín Migoya was born on February 21, 1968, in La Plata, the capital city of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. His father was an entrepreneur, which gave young Martín early exposure to the business world and shaped his understanding of commercial enterprises from childhood. Growing up in La Plata, one of Argentina's most important university cities, Migoya was surrounded by an environment that valued education and intellectual achievement.

He completed his primary and secondary education at Colegio San Luis, a traditional private school in La Plata, graduating in 1985. Following his secondary education, Migoya enrolled at the National University of La Plata (UNLP), one of Argentina's most prestigious public universities, where he pursued a degree in electrical engineering. The rigorous technical curriculum provided him with a strong foundation in technology and problem-solving that would later prove invaluable in his career. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1993.

After gaining several years of professional experience, Migoya returned to academia to pursue graduate studies in business administration. In 1999, he completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Universidad del CEMA (UCEMA) in Buenos Aires. The MBA program complemented his technical background with business strategy, finance, and management skills, preparing him for entrepreneurial leadership.

Career

Early career

Following his graduation from the National University of La Plata in 1993, Migoya embarked on a career in the technology sector. His first significant professional experience came at Repsol-YPF, Argentina's largest oil and gas company at the time. At Repsol-YPF, he worked as a project manager, overseeing technology initiatives and gaining experience in managing complex engineering projects within a large multinational corporation.

During the late 1990s, Migoya held various positions in the technology sector, building expertise in software development and project management. His experience during this period coincided with the global dot-com boom, which exposed him to the transformative potential of technology and software services.

Founding of Globant

The Argentine economic crisis of 2001 proved to be a paradoxical catalyst for Migoya's greatest entrepreneurial venture. As Argentina's economy collapsed, unemployment soared, and the peso was devalued, many talented Argentine professionals found themselves seeking opportunities abroad. However, Migoya and three of his close friends saw an opportunity in the crisis.

One evening in 2003, Migoya met with Guibert Englebienne, Néstor Nocetti, and Martín Umaran at a pub in Buenos Aires. Over drinks, the four friends discussed the gaps they observed in the global software industry and conceived the idea of creating a company that would export software services from Argentina to the world. They recognized that Argentina's abundant pool of highly educated engineers, combined with the devalued peso making labor costs internationally competitive, presented a unique opportunity.

In 2003, they founded Globant with an initial investment and a vision to build a technology company that could compete on the global stage while remaining rooted in Latin America. The company's name reflected its global aspirations from the outset.

Building Globant

In its early years, Globant focused on providing software development and IT services to international clients, leveraging the technical talent available in Argentina. The company distinguished itself through what it called "studios" – specialized teams focused on specific technologies and industries, including gaming, media, banking, and healthcare.

The company experienced rapid growth throughout the 2000s, expanding beyond Argentina to establish operations in other Latin American countries and eventually in the United States and Europe. By 2014, Globant had grown to employ thousands of professionals and served major global clients.

On July 18, 2014, Globant achieved a historic milestone when it became the first Latin American software company to complete an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the ticker symbol GLOB. The IPO raised significant capital and validated the company's growth strategy, while also demonstrating that Latin American technology companies could compete at the highest levels of global capital markets.

Under Migoya's continued leadership as CEO, Globant has expanded to operate in over 30 countries, serving clients that include major technology companies, financial institutions, and multinational corporations. The company has grown through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, building capabilities in areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital transformation.

Business philosophy and leadership style

Migoya has articulated a distinctive approach to business leadership that emphasizes culture, innovation, and employee well-being. He has spoken extensively about the importance of creating an environment where employees – called "Globers" within the company – can thrive and contribute their best work.

His leadership philosophy incorporates several key principles. He believes strongly in the power of curiosity and continuous learning, encouraging employees to explore new technologies and approaches. He has emphasized the importance of adaptability, drawing on personal experiences to illustrate how unexpected challenges can become opportunities.

Migoya has also been vocal about the role of artificial intelligence in the technology industry. While embracing AI as a transformative technology, he has publicly discussed what he views as the limitations of current AI systems, particularly in areas requiring human creativity and judgment.

The company's culture reflects Migoya's personal interests. Globant's offices often include music rehearsal studios, reflecting his passion for music and his belief that creative outlets enhance workplace satisfaction and productivity.

Personal life

Martín Migoya lives in Buenos Aires with his wife, Carolina Pinciroli, and their three sons: Facundo, Manuel, and Felipe. The couple maintains a relatively private personal life despite Migoya's public profile as a business leader.

How he met his wife

Details about how Migoya met Carolina Pinciroli have been kept largely private. The couple has been married for many years and has built their family while Migoya developed Globant from a startup into a multinational corporation. Carolina has been a supportive presence throughout the company's growth, though she maintains a low public profile.

Interests and hobbies

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Migoya maintains several personal interests that he considers essential to his well-being and effectiveness as a leader.

He is an avid runner, completing runs three times per week. Migoya views running not merely as exercise but as a practice that helps him maintain focus, discipline, and balance amidst the demands of leading a global technology company.

Perhaps his most distinctive personal interest is music. Migoya regularly rehearses and performs with his band, Sonic Diamonds. His passion for music has influenced Globant's corporate culture, with many of the company's facilities including rehearsal studios equipped with instruments for employees to use. This reflects Migoya's belief that creative pursuits outside of work contribute to professional effectiveness and employee satisfaction.

Migoya also embraces adventure and spontaneity. He has shared anecdotes about turning a failed trip to Antarctica into an impromptu fly-fishing weekend, illustrating his adaptable mindset and appreciation for unexpected experiences.

Controversies

Certified Collectibles Group lawsuit

In 2019, Certified Collectibles Group, a collectibles authentication company based in Sarasota, Florida, filed a lawsuit in federal court against Globant. The lawsuit sought tens of millions of dollars in damages, alleging misconduct by Globant in the development of a new operating system for the collectibles company. The lawsuit raised questions about Globant's project management and client relations practices, though the company defended its performance.

2025 layoffs and stock decline

In 2025, Globant faced significant challenges that drew public attention and criticism. The company's stock price declined approximately 70% during the year, making it one of the worst-performing Argentine stocks.

In June 2025, Migoya confirmed in an internal email the dismissal of approximately 3% of Globant's global workforce – roughly 933 employees out of a total workforce of 31,102 – as part of a restructuring initiative called "Vision 2030." The announcement came just 11 days after the company had denied rumors of mass layoffs, leading to criticism over the company's initial communications. At that time, Globant had only confirmed the closure of two offices in Argentina, in Ushuaia and Resistencia, while asserting that hiring continued.

Migoya addressed the stock decline in public statements, taking an optimistic tone despite the significant drop in share price. He stated that "results, on the other side, sooner or later arrive" and expressed confidence that doing things well would eventually be reflected in market performance. Critics viewed these statements as dismissive of shareholder concerns, while supporters saw them as demonstrating long-term thinking.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, Migoya has received numerous awards and recognitions for his entrepreneurial achievements:

  • Endeavor Entrepreneur (2005) – Together with his three Globant co-founders, recognized by the global entrepreneurship organization Endeavor
  • Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2013) – Recognized for building Globant into a major technology company
  • Top CEO of the Year (2019) – Awarded by CEO World Awards
  • CEO of the Year (2019) – Awarded by El Cronista Comercial, one of Argentina's leading business newspapers
  • Innovative CEO of the Year (2020) – Recognized for his role in driving innovation at Globant
  • Konex Award – Recognized by Fundación Konex for his contributions to Argentine business

Publications

Migoya has co-authored two books on digital transformation and technology:

  • The Never Ending Digital Journey – Explores how technology is reshaping business and society
  • Embracing the Power of AI – Shares perspectives on artificial intelligence and its implications for organizations

See also

References

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