Armed with a mission to ignite innovation and job creation, this move screams “we’re cool too” in the face of traditional economic development strategies. With open arms to any Latin American with a dream and a digital toolkit, Guadalajara is not just talking the talk but walking the walk.
By injecting funds and resources into the hands of animators, gamers, and virtual reality gurus, the city is betting big on the creative economy to pad its economic stats.
And why not? With creatives allegedly responsible for a whopping 7% of Mexico’s GDP, it’s about time someone recognized the power of pixel pushers and code slingers in driving economic growth.
It reminds me of Xavier Niels commendable Parisian efforts with Station F, which measurable’s impact still to be presented, requieres a at least decade to actually show long lasting results.
Cynicism aside, Guadalajara’s move is a calculated one. Touted as UNESCO’s darling for digital arts since 2017, the city is leveraging Creativa GDL to position itself as the creative hub of Latin America.
And with a generous offering of cash, mentorship, and training, it’s clear they’re playing to win.
But let’s be real—while the initiative is commendable, only time will tell if this investment turns Guadalajara into a creative powerhouse or if it’s just another case of throwing money at a trendy cause.
Learn more about the program at the official website.
