Guatemalan Startup SoulBuddyID Gains Regional Visibility at Costa Rica Tech Week 2026
SoulBuddyID represented Guatemala at Costa Rica Tech Week 2026, showcasing its PetTech ecosystem and NFC-powered solutions for pet owners.
SoulBuddyID brought Guatemala’s innovation ecosystem to a regional stage during Costa Rica Tech Week 2026, highlighting how technology-driven solutions with social purpose can emerge from Central America and address everyday challenges for pet owners and their families.
A Guatemalan Startup Gains Regional Visibility
Held from May 18 to 24 across multiple locations in Costa Rica, Costa Rica Tech Week 2026 brought together startups, investors, technology communities, corporations, and innovation leaders from across the region.
The decentralized format allowed participants to engage in conversations around investment, artificial intelligence, fintech, technology, impact, and emerging business models, creating opportunities for collaboration among entrepreneurs from different countries.
For Guatemala, the participation of SoulBuddyID represented an important milestone in showcasing the country’s ability to develop technology solutions with regional relevance and practical applications.
SoulBuddyID Joins the PetTech Conversation
The startup participated as part of “Sniff Safari: PetTech Experience,” an initiative dedicated to exploring the future of technology for animal welfare and pet-friendly experiences.
During the event, SoulBuddyID shared its vision of how NFC technology, interactive experiences, and community-driven solutions can work together to strengthen connections between people, pets, and animal-friendly spaces.
“Representing Guatemala at a regional innovation event demonstrates that projects capable of combining technology, community, and purpose can emerge from Central America.”
For founder Alejandro Santos, the invitation also provided an opportunity to exchange ideas with innovative ventures from other countries and contribute to discussions about the future growth of the PetTech sector across Latin America.
Building Technology Around the Human-Pet Connection
At the center of SoulBuddyID’s ecosystem is the goal of strengthening the relationship between pet owners and their animals through digital tools focused on security, identity, and community engagement.
One of the company’s flagship products is BuddyTag, a smart NFC-enabled pet tag that allows users to access a pet’s digital profile through a compatible smartphone by simply bringing the device close to the tag.
The solution is designed to make pet identification more accessible while providing information that can be useful in different situations involving animal care and safety.
A Community-Driven Approach to Pet Care
Beyond digital identification, SoulBuddyID integrates several features into a broader ecosystem that includes lost pet community alerts, pet-friendly experiences, and tools designed to connect pet owners with supportive communities.
The startup’s approach is based on the belief that technology can be developed around empathy, emotional connections, and real-life needs.
By creating a network that brings together pet owners, pet-friendly spaces, and local communities, the platform aims to facilitate collaboration and support when it matters most.
“Innovation can also be built through empathy, connection, and community.”
Highlighting Guatemala’s Innovation Potential
SoulBuddyID’s participation at Costa Rica Tech Week 2026 reflected the growing presence of Guatemalan startups developing technology solutions with measurable impact.
The event also created new opportunities for local entrepreneurs to become part of regional conversations around innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, and community-focused business models.
As Guatemala’s startup ecosystem continues to evolve, initiatives such as SoulBuddyID demonstrate how purpose-driven technology can find relevance beyond national borders while addressing everyday challenges for users and their families.
