By: Joshua Finley
In a world increasingly driven by technology, Puerto Rican entrepreneur Tony Delgado has made it his mission to empower the youth of Puerto Rico by teaching them how to leverage the digital economy. Delgado’s innovative platform, Disrupt University, is providing a lifeline for aspiring entrepreneurs, proving that all you need to succeed is a “WiFi connection and a dream.” Through his initiatives, Delgado is not only creating opportunities for individuals to gain financial independence but also fostering a new generation of tech-savvy entrepreneurs who are transforming the island’s economy from the inside out.
The Move to Puerto Rico and a Bold Mission
Delgado’s connection to Puerto Rico deepened in 2017, following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Maria. The natural disaster left much of the island without power, and Delgado witnessed firsthand the devastation and inequality that followed. Recognizing the need for more than just temporary aid, Delgado made the bold decision to move to Puerto Rico full-time. His aim: to rebuild the island’s economy by equipping its youth with the skills they needed to succeed in the digital age.
Delgado’s vision wasn’t just about recovery—it was about reinvention. “The economic problems in Puerto Rico could be fixed if more people had access to the digital economy,” Delgado explains. “I knew that if I could teach young people how to make money online, I could empower them to be their own bosses, and in turn, they could contribute to rebuilding Puerto Rico’s future.”
Disrupt University: The Future of Education
At the heart of Delgado’s efforts is Disrupt University, an online learning platform designed to teach entrepreneurship, technology, and digital marketing to aspiring business leaders. The platform offers a wide array of courses that provide practical, actionable knowledge—from e-commerce and social media strategy to coding and app development. Delgado’s philosophy is simple: with a solid internet connection and the right guidance, anyone can build a thriving business.
What sets Disrupt University apart from traditional educational models is its emphasis on real-world skills that can be immediately applied to build an online business. Delgado’s own entrepreneurial journey, which began with selling mixtapes and later evolved into launching multiple seven-figure businesses, serves as a blueprint for students looking to follow in his footsteps. He believes that traditional educational institutions often leave students ill-prepared for today’s rapidly changing marketplace. Disrupt University, by contrast, focuses on the tools and strategies that are actually driving growth in the digital economy.
Impact on Puerto Rico’s Youth
Disrupt University is more than just an online school; it’s a movement aimed at turning Puerto Rico into a hub for tech-driven innovation. The platform has already had a significant impact, offering students from underserved communities a chance to learn high-income skills that were previously out of reach. Delgado has collaborated with local organizations to provide scholarships and free access to the platform, ensuring that students from all economic backgrounds can participate.
The broader vision is to transform Puerto Rico into a technology hub that rivals Silicon Valley.
Through initiatives like Disrupt Week, a seven-day tech festival modeled after South by Southwest (SXSW), Delgado is connecting Puerto Rican students with global tech leaders and providing them with the mentorship and network they need to succeed in the tech world.
A Path to Financial Independence
Delgado’s focus is not just on building businesses but on creating financial independence. His approach empowers students to become self-sustaining entrepreneurs who can break free from the limitations of traditional employment. “We teach our students that they don’t need a job—they can create their own,” Delgado says. Through digital marketing, affiliate marketing, and e-commerce, students are learning how to generate multiple streams of income, often from the comfort of their own homes.
By focusing on entrepreneurship as a vehicle for social mobility, Delgado is addressing one of Puerto Rico’s most pressing challenges: the brain drain. As talented young Puerto Ricans increasingly leave the island for better opportunities abroad, Delgado’s programs offer an alternative—allowing them to stay, build businesses, and contribute to the local economy.
Tony Delgado’s work through Disrupt University is creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond the borders of Puerto Rico. By teaching the island’s youth how to capitalize on the digital economy, he is not only building new business leaders but also helping to reshape Puerto Rico’s economic future. With initiatives like Disrupt University and Disrupt Week, Delgado is proving that anyone with access to WiFi and the right mindset can achieve financial independence and build a business that makes a difference. For Puerto Rico, this could be the start of a tech revolution.
Delgado’s mission is clear: to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and ensure that Puerto Rico thrives in the global digital economy. With his innovative approach, Delgado is helping to ensure that the island’s future is as bright as the students he inspires.
Published by: Martin De Juan
