Brazilian consultancy firm CI&T has set up its latest outpost in Australia, where it can benefit from the country’s thriving tech ecosystem, talented workforce and strategic location.
Felipe Rubim, Vice President Asia Pacific, and Leo Abdala, Business Director, explain why Australia is the next exciting proposition for CI&T’s international expansion. They also detail why the firm is perfectly suited to flourishing in this market.
Australia: a market thirsting for digital acceleration
CI&T is a Brazilian end-to-end digital transformation consultancy firm. It has offices in the US, the UK, China, Japan and Portugal.
The firm opened an office in Brisbane in 2020. The decision to expand to Australia reflects the nation’s digital coming of age.
Australia is ranked equal first for tech-readiness by the Economist Intelligence Unit. The nation is also home to a thriving tech ecosystem that has spawned Canva, Atlassian and Afterpay.
CI&T recognises the potential of the Australian market.
‘By expanding our operations to Australia, our goal is to get closer to a market thirsting for digital acceleration,’ says Abdala.
Access to the dynamic Asia-Pacific region
Australia’s ability to bridge the gap between east and west shores up CI&T’s Asian engagement.
‘Australia’s strategic location offers access to the main countries located on the east side of the globe, while maintaining a solid connection with the west,’ says Abdala.
CI&T has extensive ties in Japan and China. It has offices in Tokyo, Ningbo, Chengdu and Shanghai for more than 10 years. Konica Minolta and NuVasive are notable regional clients.
A deep pool of Australian technical talent
A key part of CI&T’s strategy to create a global company is to have global talent. Rubim says CI&T is eager to make use of Australia’s workforce. Around 47% of Australia’s workforce has a tertiary qualification.
‘The country is well known for being a higher education hub, serving the APAC region,’ he says. ‘This creates an excellent, multicultural pool of talent for CI&T.’
Australia has the third highest proportion of foreign-born citizens among OECD countries.
CI&T is supported by more than 5,000 staff across North and South America, Asia, Europe and Australia.
Providing the sectoral expertise to lead Australia forward
CI&T has a long history of successful engagement in financial services, pharmaceuticals, insurance and retail. The firm has worked with companies such as Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson and Konica Minolta. It is ready to bring the skills it has applied to these companies to Australia.
‘In other parts of the world, CI&T has been helping high-street and neo/digital banks and insurance companies to plan and execute crucial initiatives,’ says Abdala. ‘This includes initiatives such as open banking and data analytics in its various forms.
‘All our knowledge, skills, tools and techniques can absolutely be leveraged here for the benefit of customers in the region.
‘The Australian financial services industry is diversifying and growing. CI&T can equip Australian clients – from the Big Four banks to startups – with the tools to thrive in this new age of banking.’
A natural cultural fit
Since landing in Brisbane, CI&T has rapidly adapted to the new business environment.
‘Australia strikes us as a mix between the US and UK markets, retaining what is best from both countries,’ says Rubim. ‘This includes attributes such as entrepreneurial spirit, dynamic approach, and stability and trustworthiness at an economic, individual and organisational level.’
The ethos that has seen CI&T expand from Brazil into major global markets places it in good stead for success in Australia.
‘We’ve learned that Australians value their long-lasting relationships and partnerships,’ says Rubim. ‘For us, this is an extraordinary attribute. That’s how CI&T has been successfully doing business with many global organisations for several decades.’
Austrade connects CI&T to tech ecosystem
CI&T is aware of the value that the Australian Government can give international investors.
Both Rubim and Abdala encourage other international companies to use the resources that the Government offers prospective investors.
In particular, they signalled the importance of Austrade to their successful expansion.
‘Austrade is a great ally to our expansion in Australia,’ says Rubim. ‘They act as the bridge between our company and the Australian Government — providing all the support and guidance that comes with it. They also connect us to this powerful, invaluable ecosystem of like-minded individuals and organisations.’
