Why Cámara TIC may be the innovation engine the DR’s future demands: A conversation with José Armando Tavárez Rodríguez

By Jonathan Joel Mentor | @jonathanjmentor

What do you get when a Silicon Coast visionary, a diaspora founder with nothing to prove, and a broken innovation status quo all sit down for a conversation? A blueprint.

Last week, I sat down with José Armando Tavárez Rodríguez, former president of Cámara Dominicana de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación, Inc.(Cámara TIC), to discuss the crossroads of Dominican tech, visibility, and power. What was supposed to be a warm conversation about digital talent and the startup ecosystem quickly turned into a masterclass on what’s holding our nation back and what institutions are actually built to fix it.

“We can’t keep investing like rentistas only betting on people we know,” José Armando said, a sharp dig at the entrenched networks choking innovation. “We need a transition. A new investment mentality.”

He’s not wrong. While legacy business circles hold tightly to inherited privilege, Cámara TIC is quietly building an infrastructure rooted in access, execution, and regional relevance. It’s not posturing. It’s code, cloud, and career paths.

We talked frankly about the scarcity of mid-to-senior-level technical talent and the fact that most Dominican devs don’t get to architect platforms for millions of users. But that isn’t a capability issue, it’s a proximity issue. One Cámara TIC is trying to close.

“There’s no reason we can’t build the next regional tech hub here,” he told me. “But we can’t do it copying Silicon Valley. We have to do it on our own terms, with our own people.”

That’s where the diaspora comes in.

I asked him point-blank: Does Cámara TIC have a space for the digital nomads, remote tech founders, and returning Dominicans trying to contribute meaningfully to the national ecosystem?

“More than welcome,” he said without hesitation. “We should form a chapter for them. Tap into their talent, their networks. Many want to return not just physically, but economically.”

That idea is now in motion. We discussed the potential for a dedicated diaspora innovation initiative, giving Dominican founders abroad a formal onramp into policy-shaping, talent-building, and venture development in their homeland.

We also acknowledged the quiet power dynamics. Not everyone is ready for this kind of integration. But the game is shifting.

“It’s time we stop asking permission from the old guard,” I said.

“Exactly,” he replied. “We build. They’ll follow.”

If you’ve ever felt like the Dominican tech scene is building around you but not for you, Cámara TIC might be the answer. Membership is open. Visit: camaratic.org.do/membrecia/to apply.

And yes, I’ve applied. I’m waiting for final confirmation, but I left the conversation with José Armando energized and aligned. He’s already committed to making the right intros, including to Eder Herrera, the Chamber’s current President.

For now, consider this my public RSVP to a future most people aren’t even aware is being planned.

Watch the full interview in Spanish on YouTube.

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Jonathan Joel Mentor is the CEO of Successment and architect of the Provoke Visibility™ campaign, scaling startups and challenging institutions to evolve. UN World Summit Award nominee. www.jonathanjmentor.co