By: Joshua Finley
Tony Delgado’s career as a tech entrepreneur began in the unlikeliest of places: hackathons. Before becoming the multi-millionaire tech mogul he is today, Delgado was known for winning coding competitions sponsored by major companies like Google, Facebook, and IBM. His success in these events not only solidified his reputation as a highly-skilled coder but also gave him the foundation to launch a career that would ultimately lead him to Puerto Rico and a larger social mission.
Delgado’s early career in coding and hackathons allowed him to connect with some of the brightest minds in the tech world. His technical expertise opened doors to work as the lead developer at Websignia, a digital marketing agency, and later to partner with Gerard Adams, founder of Elite Daily, on the Fownders startup accelerator in Newark, New Jersey. However, despite his success, Delgado’s sights were set on something much bigger than personal achievement.
Finding Purpose After Hurricane Maria
In 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, leaving much of the island without electricity, homes, or a clear path forward. Like many others, Delgado was moved by the crisis, but he didn’t stop at just providing temporary aid. Instead, he saw an opportunity to make a lasting difference. Delgado relocated to Puerto Rico with a mission to rebuild the island’s economy through technology and entrepreneurship.
His experience as a hackathon champion and tech leader became the foundation of his work in Puerto Rico. Delgado recognized that the same skills that allowed him to win hackathons—creative problem-solving, coding, and the ability to adapt quickly—could also be used to solve some of Puerto Rico’s most pressing problems. He believed that teaching these skills to others could help the island recover economically and empower individuals to create their own opportunities.
The Birth of Disrupt University
It was this realization that led to the creation of Disrupt University, Delgado’s flagship initiative aimed at teaching entrepreneurship and digital skills to young people across Puerto Rico. Disrupt University is an online learning platform that focuses on practical skills like coding, digital marketing, and e-commerce—skills that are essential for building businesses in today’s digital-first world.
“We’re teaching the skills that I learned through hackathons,” Delgado explains. “But instead of just focusing on coding competitions, we’re helping people learn how to build businesses and create financial independence.” The platform has already reached thousands of students, providing them with the tools they need to succeed in the modern economy, whether that’s through starting an online business, becoming a freelance coder, or launching a tech startup.
Impacting Puerto Rico’s Economy
Delgado’s work through Disrupt University has had a profound impact on Puerto Rico. In a place where traditional job markets were decimated by the hurricane, the ability to create an income through online businesses has been transformative. Students of Disrupt University are learning how to monetize their skills and contribute to the island’s economic recovery by creating businesses that serve both local and global markets.
The broader goal of Disrupt University is not just to teach digital skills but to turn Puerto Rico into a hub for tech innovation. Delgado envisions Puerto Rico as a future tech hub that can rival Silicon Valley. Through his educational programs and events like Disrupt Week, a seven-day festival featuring talks from tech entrepreneurs and business leaders, Delgado is working to build a robust tech ecosystem on the island.
Empowering the Next Generation of Tech Leaders
Beyond the immediate economic impact, Delgado’s work is helping to shape the future of Puerto Rico’s tech industry. By teaching young people how to code, build businesses, and think like entrepreneurs, he is creating a new generation of leaders who can drive innovation on the island. His hope is that these leaders will not only create their own opportunities but also inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Delgado’s approach is rooted in the belief that entrepreneurship is a vehicle for social change. “If we can teach young people to be self-sufficient, they won’t have to rely on traditional jobs that may not exist anymore,” he says. “They can create their own opportunities and, in doing so, help rebuild their communities”.
From Competition to Collaboration
What’s remarkable about Delgado’s journey is how he has transitioned from a competitive hackathon coder to a collaborative leader focused on social impact. His early days of coding for the win have given way to a larger mission—building up others so they too can succeed. Delgado’s focus is not just on individual achievement but on creating a community of innovators who can lift each other up.
Through Disrupt University and his other initiatives, Delgado is proving that the skills he learned at hackathons can be applied to solving real-world problems. His story serves as an inspiration for anyone who believes that technology and entrepreneurship can be used to create positive change, not just for individuals but for entire communities.
Tony Delgado’s journey from winning hackathons to transforming Puerto Rico’s economy is a testament to the power of technology and innovation. By teaching others the skills he mastered in coding competitions, Delgado is empowering a new generation of tech leaders who are rebuilding Puerto Rico from the ground up. His mission is clear: to use technology and entrepreneurship to create lasting change and to ensure that Puerto Rico emerges stronger than ever.
Through his work, Delgado is proving that success is not just about winning—it’s about making a lasting impact on the world around you.
Published by: Martin De Juan
