About us

Our Story

Tech First was born from a simple belief: that small and medium businesses deserve the same caliber of talent, technology, and strategic support that large enterprises take for granted. Founded in Puerto Rico, we've grown into a full service growth partner with a presence in San Juan, Bogotá, and Madrid, helping businesses across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America build exceptional teams, modernize their operations, and elevate their brands.

Our brands

We're more than a staffing company. With Tech First, we offer comprehensive solutions including nearshore talent acquisition, digital transformation and AI integration consulting, and professional branding and web design. This is everything a growing business needs to compete and thrive in today's market.

Whether you need to scale your engineering team, automate your back office, or finally get a brand identity that reflects where your business is headed, we've got you covered.

But what truly sets us apart is that we've been in your shoes. Our team has seen it all. From launching multiple small businesses to working in enterprise companies to early-stage startups becoming Unicorns. We know what it means to make payroll, hire the right people, and figure it out as you go.

We're also proud members of the Puerto Rican diaspora who returned home after 13 years on the mainland with a clear mission: to strengthen Puerto Rico's workforce, help local SMBs modernize and grow, and prove that world class work doesn't require leaving the island. That perspective: entrepreneurial, personal, rooted in community, shapes everything we do.

The principles that guide our work and our commitment to you

People Over Everything

We believe in the power of exceptional talent and treat every placement as a long-term partnership.

Stay Agile

Markets change. Technology evolves. We adapt quickly to help our clients stay ahead.

Results Over Promises

We measure success by the impact we create, not the hours we bill.

Mission to Uplift

Every hire strengthens local economies. Every project builds stronger communities.

Tackle Big Challenges

We take on complex problems that others shy away from and deliver meaningful solutions.

Positive Work Environment

Great work comes from great culture. We prioritize balance, growth, and collaboration.

Driven by Experience, Led by Passion

Antonio J. Rodríguez Soto

Founder & CEO

Antonio founded Tech First with a vision to create meaningful technology careers in Puerto Rico and across Latin America. With an M.S. in Computer Science from North Carolina State University, he built his career as a software engineer and architect, developing deep expertise in system design, scalable solutions, and artificial intelligence.

As CEO, Antonio leads Tech First's strategic direction, client relationships, and technical vision. His hands-on experience building and architecting software systems allows him to bridge the gap between what clients need and what talent can deliver.

Elizabeth Gutiérrez Roman

Chief Operating Officer

Elizabeth brings operational excellence and a people-first mindset to Tech First. With a B.S. from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez and an M.S. in Project Management from Northeastern University, she's built her career around one core skill: getting complex initiatives across the finish line.

As COO, Elizabeth oversees everything from talent acquisition to client success, ensuring seamless operations. She's the operational backbone of Tech First, building scalable processes, leading a growing team of specialists, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks.

Our Journey,
from San Juan to LATAM...

2020

Tech First foundation

We are founded as a single-person consulting firm.

Black office chair in front of a wooden desk with a large monitor displaying a blue gradient.

2021

Company expansion

We expand to seven consultants based in Puerto Rico.

Conference room with three black chairs facing a screen displaying a lightbulb plus gear icon.

James was here

2022

Tech First makes internationalization official.

It started as an international entity in Bogotá, Colombia.

Computer monitor displaying a virtual meeting with four participants in separate colored windows.

2023

Continued expansion across LATAM

Reaching 100 consultants placed by end of year.

Colorful organizational chart with blue manager figure at top, two middle-tier figures in green and orange, and six team members in yellow and blue below.

James was here

2025

New entities formalized in Peru and Chile.

Tech First broadens its service offerings beyond nearshore staff augmentation to provide 360-degree support in digital presence, digital transformation, and technical staffing for SMBs.

Illustration of three stylized figures holding hands standing on top of a globe.

2026

The company is expanding into Europe.

Tech First forms a strategic partnership with a staffing partner in Madrid, Spain, marking its first European collaboration.

Stylized globe focusing on Europe with a map pin marker over Spain.

James was here

Meet the

Tech First Team

Behind every successful project is a team of specialists dedicated to finding the right fit. Our crew spans talent management, client success, and business operations, each bringing their own expertise and personality to the work we do every day.