As a nonprofit, San Diego Regional EDC is supported by the investment of more than 150 public agencies, private organizations, and service providers like ArkusNexus.
With the investment, EDC provides direct support, aligned with regional Inclusive Growth goals, to companies of all sizes to drive economic prosperity and global competitiveness across the binational mega-region.
One of San Diego’s unique value propositions is our proximity to and relationship with Mexico; it is weaved into the fabric of our economy and communities. To learn more, EDC sat down with Younes Aatif, CEO of ArkusNexus, who shared more on the region’s cross-border advantage and the benefits for the software development company.
Read more about ArkusNexus’s success and support of EDC below.
Tell us about ArkusNexus and its mission.
ArkusNexus is a cross-border software development company based in San Diego, with clients across the U.S. and resources throughout Latin America. We celebrate our 21st anniversary this summer, with a team of more than 550 developers and engineers dedicated to driving innovation and helping businesses thrive in the digital age. Our mission is to transform businesses through affordable and high-quality software solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients–from startups to established enterprises.
With more than two decades of experience, we have honed our expertise in managing the complexities of software development, perfecting our engagement model and operational execution, to deliver best-in-class results.
Why San Diego?
San Diego is a strategic location for ArkusNexus due to its proximity to major markets in the U.S. where there is a growing demand for value-driven software development. It serves as a gateway to the LATAM market and an entry point to the U.S. market, offering ArkusNexus unique opportunities for cross-border collaboration. San Diego’s evolving tech scene is rapidly becoming a hub for digital innovation, driven by dynamic companies, academia, and a relentless pursuit of cutting-edge technologies. The region embodies the traits of a modern knowledge economy: diverse economic activities, excellent educational institutions, a unique entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep commitment from all stakeholders to the region’s success. San Diego also provides access to a diverse talent pool and a robust innovation ecosystem, making it the ideal environment for ArkusNexus to grow and innovate.
Finally, San Diego is ArkusNexus’s home. We’re personally invested in its success—it’s not just business; it’s personal.
Describe ArkusNexus’s collaboration and partnership with EDC.
EDC embodies the binational character of the San Diego-Baja region, articulating the opportunities and challenges local companies face. EDC works tirelessly to raise awareness of key issues, foster conversations to find solutions, and encourage local collaboration. It plays a critical role in connecting local efforts to the global stage, and we are thrilled to be part of this conversation.
Through our collaboration with EDC, ArkusNexus actively promotes the San Diego’s unique advantage as a fully integrated binational region. We participate in various EDC initiatives, including events, roundtables discussions, economic updates, and site visits, helping us understand what it takes to serve the region effectively while contributing to regional growth and competitiveness. By aligning with EDC’s vision, ArkusNexus is able to turn insights into actionable strategies that benefit the local ecosystem and build global connections. For us, what’s good for San Diego is good for all businesses operating in its vicinity.
How has San Diego positioned you for cross-border success?
As a binational economic gateway, San Diego has been instrumental in our growth. As the first company to implement the nearshore model, we remain committed to our mission as strongly as we did on day one. Our offices, just 30 minutes from downtown San Diego, provide a significant advantage for clients who want to interact with our team in person, fostering real-time collaboration essential in software development.
Cultural alignment also plays a crucial role. Our team members, who have grown up exposed to Southern California culture, seamlessly connect with clients’ needs. For example, ArkusNexus takes pride as we integrated the engineering operations of a unicorn startup, helping it scale quickly and cost-effectively. The startup has now exceeded a $2 billion valuation. Throughout the last 20 years, ArkusNexus has helped many clients achieve successful exit events, with a total valuation of $14 billion. This value creation reflects a commitment to supporting both sides of the border and celebrating shared success across the region. We thrive because of this unique cross-border dynamic, leveraging San Diego’s strategic location to drive innovation for local and global businesses alike.
What is on the horizon for ArkusNexus?
Business professionals often spend 20-30 percent of their workweek searching for information, sifting through multiple documents for a single answer. ArkusNexus is changing that by making information accessible at their fingertips. Leveraging AI, we provide users with immediate, secure access to their corporate data, without compromising security or data integrity.
We are soon launching our new Chipotle platform, which allows businesses to securely leverage large language models (LLMs) to mine their private data, combining AI’s power with robust security. This will enable businesses to benefit from AI advancements while maintaining strong security standards.
We’re also committed to the AI revolution by supporting open-source AI projects and developing safe, responsible solutions for individuals and businesses. Recognizing the skills gap in AI, our platform ensures safe interactions with LLMs for handling secure corporate data, regardless of its form or location.
Meanwhile, we’re adapting to the changes AI brings to the workplace, transforming how we work and communicate. By embracing these shifts, ArkusNexus remains agile and innovative, and continues to support San Diego’s growth as a hub for technology and business excellence.
Read more about EDC’s investors in our investor spotlight blog series and join ArkusNexus and 150 investors committed to supporting the region’s inclusive economic development by becoming a member of EDC.
Interested in publishing an investor spotlight? Contact our team:
Enya Castañeda
Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications