ELDON Marks, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of V75 Inc. and a well-known tech specialist, has made a strong appeal to policymakers to establish an atmosphere that will encourage and support local talent to stay in Guyana and support the development of the nation’s rapidly expanding tech sector.
Marks delivered this message during a recent episode of the Energy Perspectives Podcast, powered by the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo.

“We have…talent that can be easily activated through a thriving tech eco-system. One of the impediments that I have seen is that there, unfortunately, aren’t many incentives for that natural talent to remain within the country and help grow the eco-system. That’s one of the impediments in terms of growing tech… We need the talented individuals but in order to retain them, there must be those environments,” he explained.

As the CEO of V75 Inc., a pioneering software development company, Marks is no stranger to innovation. His firm has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge solutions for local businesses, government agencies, and international clients.
Most recently, V75 Inc. played a key role in developing a suite of innovative digital tools for the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo. These tools, designed to enhance the event’s user experience and logistical efficiency, have helped position the conference as a leader in tech innovation.
Marks shared his personal experience with building a tech company. He highlighted the idea that a tech company provides an ideal platform for developing, nurturing, and retaining talent within the technology sector, which is essential for strengthening the broader tech ecosystem.
However, he acknowledged the process has not been entirely smooth or without challenges.

He added: “So, that is one of the things I would recommend initially… is just to turn more of a focus on supporting the tech eco-system, the tech start-ups. The tech companies within the country, they are the answer. Find ways to incentivise more tech companies to come to the fold so that they could retain more of the talent so that we can elevate more in the country.”

Marks also addressed a key limitation he sees within the Guyanese tech community—what he called an “internal impediment.”
He pointed out that while many local talents have innovative ideas, they often restrict their vision to within the borders of Guyana, rather than thinking on a global scale. Marks emphasised that in today’s globalised world, technology offers the tools to easily market products and ideas internationally. By

focusing too narrowly on local markets, he explained that many entrepreneurs and innovators miss out on larger opportunities.
He, therefore, encouraged young minds to “think big” and expand their ideas beyond national borders, as the potential for success lies in adopting a global mindset.
Further, he advocated for an educational initiative aimed at helping to aspire tech entrepreneurs understand the essential steps to build a business that can compete for these opportunities. This includes teaching them how to establish a company or brand, ensuring they are compliant with tax regulations, and preparing them to successfully bid for projects.

By gaining this knowledge, he pointed out that young ‘techpreneurs’ can position themselves to grow their businesses and take advantage of opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach due to lack of preparation or understanding of formal processes.
He went on to explain the critical importance of nurturing and retaining local talent as a top priority for building a tech-driven future. He pointed out that the current era of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transformative, and every tech company either already understands or will soon realise that the new method of engineering is inextricably tied to generative AI.

As a result, he noted that it becomes even more crucial to invest in home-grown talent, ensuring that local professionals are well-equipped to navigate and capitalise on this AI-driven shift.
Retaining this talent “gives us a fighting chance with regards to innovating and digitalising and bridging that gap with regards to our technological needs,” he stressed.
Marks also acknowledged positive efforts by the government, specifically mentioning initiatives like the Hackathon organised by the Office of the Prime Minister.
He sees such programmes as valuable in nurturing and fostering local tech talent, helping to equip them with the experience and skills necessary for the country’s digital future.
“But we need to continue along that trail. We need to look at accelerator programmes; we need to look at tech conferences. Tech conferences are exceedingly powerful when it comes to helping techpreneurs find opportunities and get exposure…”
In addressing data security, Marks highlighted Guyana’s underdevelopment in terms of cybersecurity awareness. “Many engineering outfits often build software and they do their due diligence when it comes to securing that software. But a lot of folks don’t realise that software engineers are not cybersecurity experts and they are not meant to be cybersecurity experts.”

“In industry standard development, software engineers often have to collaborate with cybersecurity experts and that is a critical thing. They need to work in consort. Beyond that, the weakest link in terms of cybersecurity is the persons that actually use that software. They can haphazardly or just unknowingly open a malicious email and unleash the worse within their organisations,” the tech expert explained.
In closing, he expressed optimism about Guyana’s potential for growth and development, pointing out that the country has unique conditions such as its economic boom and emerging tech industry—that both create opportunities for progress. He said he is excited that these conditions are attracting top talent and innovation, setting the stage for future success.

However, he emphasised that in order to fully take advantage of these opportunities across different sectors, it is essential to invest in the country’s human resources.
Marks believes that nurturing this talent and providing the right incentives will be key to unlocking their potential. By investing in the development, support, and motivation of individuals in the tech industry, he anticipated that “mind-blowing” advancements will occur.