The Brain Drain Crisis

Puerto Rico faces a critical talent exodus that threatens its economic future. Every year, thousands of highly skilled engineers leave the island, creating a devastating cycle of lost innovation, reduced investment, and diminished opportunities for those who remain.

40% Engineers Leave Annually

Nearly half of engineering graduates depart Puerto Rico each year, seeking opportunities on the mainland and draining the island of its brightest minds.

$70K Salary Gap vs Mainland

The substantial wage differential drives talented professionals away, making it difficult for Puerto Rican companies to compete for top engineering talent.

$300M Annual Economic Loss

The cumulative impact of this brain drain costs Puerto Rico hundreds of millions annually in lost productivity, innovation, and economic growth potential.

This exodus creates a vicious cycle: fewer engineers means fewer companies, which means fewer opportunities, which drives more engineers to leave. BSO Ventures exists to break this cycle by creating world-class aerospace companies that offer competitive careers right here in Puerto Rico.

How BSO Ventures Works

We’ve developed a systematic approach to building sustainable aerospace companies in Puerto Rico. By leveraging federal funding mechanisms and Puerto Rico’s unique advantages, we create a repeatable model for launching successful ventures that compete on the global stage.

Secure Federal Funding

We tap into substantial federal funding streams including SBIR grants, DoD contracts, and NASA partnerships. These aren’t traditional grants—they’re performance-based contracts that fund innovation while building real revenue-generating companies. Our team’s proven track record opens doors to millions in non-dilutive capital.

Leverage Puerto Rico’s Strategic Advantages

Puerto Rico offers compelling benefits for aerospace companies: a highly educated bilingual workforce, strategic geographic location for testing and operations, significant tax incentives under Act 60, and lower operational costs. Combined with U.S. jurisdiction and IP protection, it’s an ideal launchpad for aerospace ventures.

Build Multiple Companies with Proven Systems

Rather than betting everything on one venture, we’ve created a repeatable playbook for launching aerospace companies. Each new venture benefits from our established relationships, proven processes, and shared infrastructure. This approach reduces risk while multiplying impact—creating dozens of high-paying jobs with each new company.

For Engineers

Work on cutting-edge aerospace technology without leaving Puerto Rico. Competitive mainland salaries, equity opportunities, and the chance to build something meaningful for your home.

For Investors

Access federal-funded aerospace ventures with built-in de-risking. Strong unit economics, proven management team, and the Puerto Rico tax advantages that amplify returns.

Our Leadership Team

BSO Ventures is led by seasoned executives with decades of experience in aerospace manufacturing, finance, and technology commercialization. Our leadership team brings together operational excellence, capital expertise, and a deep commitment to Puerto Rico’s economic transformation.

Jose Figueroa

Chief Executive Officer

Jose brings 30+ years of capital management and technology commercialization experience. Princeton-trained in interdisciplinary approaches to technology-society challenges, he founded BSO Ventures with a vision to prove that Puerto Rico can be a global center for aerospace innovation while solving the brain drain crisis.

His extensive network spans federal agencies, aerospace primes, and investment communities. Jose’s unique perspective bridges technical innovation, business model design, and social impact—ensuring BSO Ventures builds companies that are both profitable and transformative for Puerto Rico’s economy.

Featured speaker at ASCEND 2024 on Puerto Rico’s space economy: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uyK5JrGA63-VVmlv7pLpIIZnaHMTdtaH/view?usp=sharing

RESARCH PAPER: “Navigating the Depths: The Impact on Space Cost Drivers of Autonomous Submersible Maritime Rocket Launch Systems in the Puerto Rico Trench.” Presented at ASCEND 2024 conference: https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.2024-4876

Advisory Network: Our team is supported by advisors from NASA, DoD, leading aerospace companies, and Puerto Rican economic development agencies. This network provides technical guidance, contract opportunities, and strategic partnerships that accelerate each venture’s path to success.