This article is part of our Testimonial Video Series, highlighting firsthand insights from executives who chose Puerto Rico to build and scale their operations.

From Puerto Rico, For the U.S. and Beyond

Adriana Ramírez, President & COO at Abarca, doesn’t mince words about her “why.” “I have a strong pride for what Puerto Rico can offer—not only locally, but to the world,” she says. Born and raised on the island, she studied in the mainland U.S., returned as an attorney, and took what she calls a “leap of faith” to join a then-67-person startup determined to disrupt pharmacy benefits “from Puerto Rico to the United States.”

Twelve years later, that team is 850 strong and serves “over five and a half million lives…projecting about ten million in the next two years,” all from Puerto Rico.

That journey wasn't linear. "When we started trying to offer our services in the United States, it was challenging-people asked, 'Why are you based in Puerto Rico?'" Ramírez recalls. "But once we brought clients here, their perspective changed completely. They wanted to come back. They asked for regular meetings on the island. Now, being based in Puerto Rico isn't a concern-it's a differentiator."

What once seemed like a hurdle has become one of Abarca’s greatest advantages: proof that world-class solutions for the U.S. can be built right here on the island.

Why Puerto Rico Works for Professional Services

Abarca operates in one of the most highly regulated industries in the U.S., and its location has been a significant strength. "Being part of the U.S. gives us the regulatory environment to compete nationally, while keeping our roots firmly planted here," Ramírez explains.

That foundation allowed Abarca to build Darwin™, its cloud-based PBM platform, entirely on the island. "We built it from scratch, and we built it from Puerto Rico," she says. Darwin's design focuses on reducing administrative burdens, allowing healthcare providers to spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients. "We believe technology can transform healthcare and enable providers to focus directly on the patient. That's the impact we're after."

For companies in healthcare, tech, or professional services, Puerto Rico offers the best of both worlds: the regulatory assurances of the U.S. with the agility, cost advantages, and talent base of an international hub.

Talent and Culture at the Core

For Ramírez, Abarca's biggest advantage isn't just technology-it's people. "We can have the best platform in the world, but our most differentiating factor is our people, most of whom are Puerto Rican," she says.

The company has recruited engineers and professionals from local universities, while also attracting members of the diaspora and others who want to relocate to Puerto Rico for the opportunity and quality of life. That combination-homegrown talent and global recruits eager to move to the island-is why Puerto Rico continues to power growth for some of the world's most competitive industries.

The company deliberately hires for values as much as for skills. Those values include delivering excellence with humility, caring for colleagues like family, bouncing back from setbacks, and committing fully to finding a better way together. Abarca reinforces this culture through quarterly team gatherings, community initiatives, and client-facing events that showcase both the company's ethos and Puerto Rico's collaborative spirit. "At the end of the day, it's our culture, and how we care for each other, that makes us successful," Ramírez emphasizes.

Building Oasis: A Commitment to Puerto Rico

As Abarca scaled, the company made a clear choice: to invest in Puerto Rico for the long term. Rather than relocating, it built Oasis, a 66,000-square-foot campus in Santurce. "We wanted to create a space worthy of what we're building on the island," says Ramírez.

More than an office, Oasis anchors Abarca in the community. It hosts team gatherings, client visits, and events with other entrepreneurs, contributing to the neighborhood's revitalization and Puerto Rico's broader tech ecosystem. For clients visiting from the mainland, Oasis has become a differentiator. Once they experience the island firsthand, they're eager to return and build deeper partnerships. "Our clients don't just tolerate coming to Puerto Rico anymore-they ask for it. They want to be here," Ramírez notes.

From Strategy to Success in Puerto Rico

With world-class talent, a pro-business U.S. jurisdiction, and a culture that inspires innovation, Abarca has proven what's possible from Puerto Rico. The company isn't just disrupting healthcare; it's reshaping expectations about where the future of the industry can be built. As Ramírez puts it, "Why not come to Puerto Rico? It's a great place to build your company. We do it every day."

Ready to explore Puerto Rico for your operation?

Contact Invest Puerto Rico or click here to learn more about the island’s professional services sector.