Barranquilla, Colombia — Oktsec founder Gustavo Aragón received the Partnership Catalyst Award at the 24th Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE). Leandro Rizzuto, U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS), presented the award in recognition of Aragón’s work with Oktsec.
During the September 28–October 2 program, Aragón signed 15 letters of intent with people and organizations from 10 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, Belize, the Dominican Republic and the United States.
15 letters of intent across 10 countries
The signatories include people and organizations connected with universities, research centers, government and the financial sector. Among the institutions represented are the University of Illinois; Uruguay’s Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación (ANII); and AudacIA, the artificial intelligence and robotics research center at Universidad Simón Bolívar in Barranquilla.
Other institutions represented include Nuevo León’s economic development ministry, Brazil’s entrepreneurship ministry, the Government of Córdoba, Banco Agrícola in the Dominican Republic and the Arizona District Export Council.
The letters establish an intention to explore collaboration. They are a starting point for defining projects, responsibilities and next steps. Conversations with organizations from Peru, Ecuador, Belize and the United States covered opportunities in cybersecurity, AI and training.
Preparing organizations to put AI agents to work
For Oktsec, these conversations connect a practical security problem with the organizations facing it: AI agents are being given access to business tools, data and systems, and teams need to decide what those agents may do.
Oktsec brings security research, software and engineering work to that problem. Its approach combines security assessments, controls on agent actions and verifiable evidence for investigation and review. The aim is to help organizations delegate work while retaining control over their systems and data.
Aragón is building Oktsec from Buenos Aires for a global market. Working with companies, researchers and public-sector teams across the Americas is part of that direction: understanding their needs and identifying where security engineering and practical training can help.
A week with Barranquilla’s innovation community
According to the OAS announcement, ACE Barranquilla brought together more than 80 participants from 17 countries. The program connected business, government and academic leaders through visits and discussions focused on investment, innovation and regional trade.
Oktsec thanks ACE, the OAS, the U.S. Department of State and ProBarranquilla for the welcome and the opportunity to meet the city’s community, experience its culture and visit its industries alongside the people who lead them.
Continuing the conversations
Following ACE, Aragón plans to meet cybersecurity and banking professionals in Panama in October, followed by visits to Chile and Peru in November. Companies, researchers and organizations working on cybersecurity or AI adoption at scale are welcome to get in touch.
Related announcement: Gustavo Aragón’s selection for ACE Barranquilla. Program information: OAS event calendar.