A pair of startups at the UNLV Harry Reid Research & Technology Park are looking to ease a worldwide shortage of skilled software developers by teaching people to code while providing them a path out of poverty.

Affiliated companies Plataforma and HebronSoft held a launch event recently at the Black Fire Innovation space with a promise to provide “meaningful software development services,” which includes investing in some of the most challenging environments on the planet.

Plataforma has provided training to residents in the favelas, or slums, of Brazil, where one of its students recalled, “When we grow up inside of this reality, it is hard to dream.”

Company founder and CEO Gary Carrier says he saw opportunities amid the despair, and the dream of a better life has become a reality for the more than 150 graduates of its nonprofit arm, Plataforma Impact. Since its founding in 2020, Plataforma Impact has provided free training to its students for tech careers in healthcare, finance, media, and education.

“The current moment provides us a unique opportunity to serve market needs with quality software solutions while also making the world a better place by helping low income youth launch a career in tech,” Carrier says.

Liliya Valihun, chairwoman of Ukraine-based HebronSoft, says her software engineering company is filling the need for developers by throwing an economic lifeline to some of those struggling in her war-torn country.

““Ukraine has some of the most talented, good-hearted people and top-notch engineers in the world,” Valihun says, “and it’s a privilege to be able to provide them with a chance to prove that, especially in these challenging times.””

The launch brought together Southern Nevada business leaders and academics, including UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield, who heard how the companies plan to grow their client base and expand their training aimed at low-income and otherwise marginalized students. The for-profit parts of the companies provide cross-functional teams of developers to offer clients turnkey IT solutions, including in areas such as mobile and the dawning connected world known as the Internet of Things.

“Plataforma might well be the very best idea and program I've yet seen,” says UNLV Vice President of Economic Development Bo Bernhard. “In a tech world where for every five programming jobs available worldwide  there is only one applicant, this proven model solves today's programming needs in an inspiring way.”

Next steps for Plataforma and HebronSoft include greater engagement with the Southern Nevada business community to build a local client base that would allow the companies to increase their tech training programs.