🧭 RUMBO — ISSUE #002

Saludos! Happy Tuesday, and welcome to Rumbo, edition 002.

Jonathan Soto-Nieves knows what it means to choose home over prestige.

The Marine Corps veteran turned down Silicon Valley to build his defense tech company from Puerto Rico, and one decision changed everything.

So grab your cafecito and dive in. If you enjoy today's edition, please forward it to your gente or share it online. ☕

When Jonathan Soto-Nieves decided to launch a defense technology company, he had a choice: Virginia, Silicon Valley, D.C.... or Puerto Rico.

He chose home.

After nearly a decade in the U.S. Marine Corps and years at Northrop Grumman and Microsoft, leading cybersecurity and digital transformation, Jonathan co-founded iTerra Solutions in 2024, a defense systems and cybersecurity company serving government, defense, and healthcare clients.

But here's what makes his story different: He's building it from San Juan.

Jonathan grew up in Hatillo, Puerto Rico. He never expected to leave until his brother joined the Marines, sparking his interest in military service. He spent nearly a decade in the Corps, then transitioned to the private sector.

While working in Virginia in 2023, Jonathan and fellow Marine veteran colleagues saw a gap: defense clients needed faster, more innovative cybersecurity and data solutions. They initially filed paperwork to launch iTerra in Virginia.

Then Jonathan discovered Invest Puerto Rico, a nonprofit connecting founders to the island's tax incentives, accelerators, and bilingual talent pool.

Within hours of submitting a form, someone reached out. The pitch was compelling: world-class incentives, direct access to U.S. government contracts, and the ability to build from home.

"I went to my wife, who was pregnant with our son Sebastian, and told her we were moving back home," Jonathan recalls.

By January 2025, iTerra Solutions was operational in San Juan.

iTerra provides cybersecurity, data analytics, and electronic warfare solutions to clients who need agility that traditional defense contractors can't match.

Through Invest Puerto Rico, Jonathan connected with the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust, an accelerator fostering innovation in aerospace, bioscience, and tech. Now he's surrounded by other founders building in emerging industries.

"I call it an ecosystem because the whole community is working together," Jonathan says. "There are so many interesting companies on the rise here."

The decision isn't just strategic—it's personal. Jonathan wanted his son Sebastian to grow up with family nearby and cultural roots intact. Now Sebastian has two grandmothers close by, and Jonathan works from the beach while building a global company.

"Our plan is to stay here in Puerto Rico forever. This is Plan A and we don't have a B or C."

Rebuilding a professional network after 20 years away wasn't easy. And there's the perception challenge: proving that a Puerto Rico-based defense tech company can compete with Virginia or California firms.

Jonathan's had to demonstrate that proximity to the U.S., bilingual talent, and lower costs make Puerto Rico not just viable—but advantageous.

"Puerto Rico is becoming a real powerhouse," Jonathan says. "I think that's only going to continue to grow."

Jonathan's story challenges a common assumption: that you have to leave home to build something world-class.

"The best place to build might be the one that shaped you."

For Jonathan, returning home wasn't starting over—it was starting stronger. He brought Marine Corps discipline, Fortune 500 connections, and the ambition to prove Puerto Rico can compete with any tech hub.

His advice to other Latino founders?
"Don't discount your roots. The places everyone overlooks might be exactly where you have an unfair advantage."

iTerra Solutions is already serving clients and planning to expand across Latin America, positioning Puerto Rico as a bridge between U.S. defense markets and emerging tech ecosystems.

Jonathan also wants to mentor other Puerto Rican founders proving you don't need to leave the island to build something global.

"Puerto Rico has a once-in-a-generation chance to become a hub for Latino innovation," he says. "I want to be part of making that happen."

Connect with Jonathan:
🌐 iterrasolutions.com
💼 LinkedIn

Since Jonathan's story centers on returning home, this week's tool is Invest Puerto Rico, the nonprofit that helped him make the move.

What it is:
A one-stop resource for entrepreneurs looking to establish or expand operations in Puerto Rico.

What they offer:

Best for:
Founders with Puerto Rican roots, considering where to base their startup, or mainland companies looking to expand with access to bilingual talent and competitive costs.

Why it matters:
Puerto Rico is attracting startups in aerospace, biotech, defense tech, and innovation-driven industries. If you're building something that could benefit from the island's advantages, start here.

→ investpr.org

This is Issue #2 of Rumbo.

Jonathan's story is exactly why this newsletter exists. He's building something world-class from Puerto Rico, proving that Latino innovation doesn't need to follow traditional paths.

How you can help:

1. Know someone we should feature? We're looking for Hispanic-Latino founders, artists, doctors, creators, and professionals who are making an impact and building something meaningful. Reply to this email with their name and what they do. We'd love to tell their story.

2. Found this valuable? Forward it to someone who'd appreciate it.

3. Building something yourself? I want to hear about it.

Next week: Meet Beatríz Acevedo, the three-time Emmy winner who built mitú and is now tackling the Latino wealth gap with SUMA Wealth.

Adelante,
Robert Alexander Acosta Seda
Founder, Rumbo

Did you enjoy today's Rumbo newsletter? Please share it with family, friends, and other Hispanic-Latino business owners by forwarding this email or using the link below.

→ rumbo.beehiiv.com

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