Despite the push for in-person collaboration, U.S. tech companies are increasingly turning to Latin American developers to meet the growing demand for expertise in post-training large language models (LLMs). Revelo, a full-stack platform connecting vetted developers in Latin America to U.S. businesses, is riding this wave with significant success. Revelo's co-founder and CEO, Lucas Mendes, explained to TechCrunch that the current surge in demand is driven by the next phase of the AI revolution, where companies need expert human data to improve the performance of their AI systems on specific tasks, such as coding. Foundational models, which require specialized skills, are a key focus, accounting for 22% of Revelo’s revenue in 2024. Revelo has more than 400,000 developers on its platform and has facilitated the hiring process for clients such as Intuit, Oracle, and Dell, along with nearly all major hyperscale AI providers. The company often receives requests for experts in specific programming languages to address gaps in post-training processes, which involve refining AI models to perform better in niche areas. Founded in late 2014 by Mendes and co-founder Lachlan de Crespigny, Revelo initially aimed to alleviate the tight talent market in Brazil. However, the company quickly expanded its reach across Latin America as the demand for high-quality, vetted talent grew. Revelo has raised over $48 million in venture funding from investors like Social Capital, FJ Labs, and Valor Capital Group. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated Revelo’s growth by highlighting the potential of distributed and remote work. U.S. companies began to recognize the value of hiring skilled developers from Latin America, initially testing the waters with one or two hires before scaling up. While the trend towards remote work has waned, Revelo’s client base continues to grow, partly due to the company’s focus on "nearshoring" rather than "offshoring." Developers in Latin American time zones are seen as more accessible and easier to integrate into U.S. teams compared to developers in more distant regions. To capitalize on this ongoing demand, Revelo has made strategic acquisitions, including Alto and Paretisa, announced in March, bringing the total number of acquisitions to five over the past 30 months. Mendes emphasizes that Revelo is positioning itself as a global talent backbone for the AI era, with plans for additional acquisitions in the future. Industry Insights and Company Profile Industry insiders observe that the trend of nearshoring highly skilled developers from Latin America is likely to continue as AI technologies evolve. The region offers a compelling combination of talent, cost-effectiveness, and aligned time zones, making it an attractive option for U.S. tech companies. Revelo’s success demonstrates the growing importance of platforms that can efficiently connect and manage this talent pool, ensuring the continued advancement of AI capabilities worldwide. Revelo stands out in the competitive landscape due to its robust platform, which not only matches but also streamlines the hiring and payment processes for its clients. The company’s focus on vetting developers and providing tailored solutions has earned it a reputable position in the tech community, making it a go-to resource for U.S. companies seeking to enhance their AI capabilities.