For many years, governments across Latin America have failed to allocate sufficient resources to cybersecurity. Now, newly elected leaders who are tough on crime and friendly with Israel want to change that. An Israeli startup with a controversial founder is stepping in.
The company builds national cyber defense systems and a custom AI platform for governments.
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Political shifts are opening the market. Colombia's president-elect, Abelardo De la Espriella, won the presidential runoff last month and takes office August 7. He has called for closer ties with Israel.
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Argentina's President Javier Milei has positioned his nation as a lightly regulated center for AI and a strong ally of Israel. Israeli President Isaac Herzog discussed with De la Espriella the need to rebuild ties that had been cut off during President Gustavo Petro's tenure in 2024.
Shalev Hulio said, "Latin America is the big focus for the company now." He added, "The political environment will now allow this. You have great leaders in Latin America."
Hulio stated that chronic underinvestment in cyber protection has made Latin America vulnerable, and recently elected leaders with a focus on law enforcement are keen to tackle organized crime, presenting a market opportunity for Dream. This chronic underinvestment has left critical infrastructure across Latin America highly vulnerable. From energy grids to public health systems, weak digital defenses have made the region a prime target for cybercriminals.
Cartels and organized crime groups are increasingly using ransomware and data extortion, while government corruption often involves digital financial crimes. Dream's custom AI platform, built on Israeli military-grade technology, is designed to protect government networks and state-owned enterprises against these sophisticated threats.
The company will choose a location for its inaugural Latin American office in the coming weeks. The startup is looking at several cities for its regional base, including Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, and Bogotá.
Colombia is a potential market because the new government has expressed a desire for stronger relations with Israel. The company will sell cybersecurity products to governments and state-owned enterprises.
The company claims it is currently helping several nations in the region deal with cyberattacks, but Hulio would not name them.
Dream's expansion depends on maintaining political alignment in a region where leadership can change quickly. The company's next office location will signal its bet on a specific market.
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