Unosquare's Humble Beginnings Pay Off in Next-Gen Succession

Co-founder Mike Barrett reflects on the company's early struggles and how the transition to the second generation of leadership has defied the odds.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Mike Barrett's career took an abrupt turn in 2009 when he found himself jobless and in debt during the financial crisis. He decided to start a software engineering company, Unosquare, with Mario Di Vece, a 25-year-old software engineer from Guadalajara. Despite early challenges, including a lawsuit from Barrett's former employer, Unosquare grew to over 1,200 employees across seven countries. Now, the company has transitioned to second-generation leadership, with Barrett's son Joel as chief commercial officer and Di Vece's brother Giancarlo as CEO. The handoff has been successful, with the new leaders earning their roles through hard work rather than entitlement.

Why it matters

The transition from founder to successor, especially when family is involved, is often fraught with challenges. However, Unosquare has defied the odds and thrived under its new leadership, showcasing how a mission-driven culture and a focus on earned credibility can enable a smooth handoff of a successful business.

The details

Barrett borrowed $30,000 from his mother to start Unosquare with Di Vece in 2009. The company's first client was MedAssets, a healthcare company that agreed to pay upon receipt of invoice, providing crucial early cash flow. Unosquare grew by focusing on specific verticals like healthcare, financial services, and tech, and by building a culture centered on being "Smart, Hungry, Humble, Hardworking." The company retained 98% of its customers over its journey and expanded work with most of them.

  • In 2009, Barrett found himself jobless and in debt during the financial crisis.
  • Unosquare was founded in 2009 by Barrett and Di Vece.
  • Unosquare reached 40 employees around year two or three of its existence.
  • Giancarlo Di Vece joined Unosquare 12 years ago as a salesperson in Mexico.
  • Giancarlo became CEO of Unosquare in 2019.

The players

Mike Barrett

Co-founder of Unosquare and the father of Joel Barrett.

Mario Di Vece

Co-founder of Unosquare and the brother of Giancarlo Di Vece.

Joel Barrett

Chief commercial officer of Unosquare and the son of Mike Barrett.

Giancarlo Di Vece

Chief executive officer of Unosquare and the brother of co-founder Mario Di Vece.

Randy

The CTO of MedAssets, Unosquare's first client.

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What they’re saying

“It's unique and it's rare that a company that's founder-led, after 15 years, transitions to a second generation of leadership successfully. And where everyone still loves each other and gets along.”

— Mike Barrett, Co-founder of Unosquare (nearshoreamericas.com)

“It felt like a deviation from my path. It took a couple of years to really feel like I had found my own purpose in the tech world, but at this point with 12-plus years in, it's been such a blessing for me to have built these relaitonships spanning both industries and continents.”

— Joel Barrett, Chief commercial officer of Unosquare (nearshoreamericas.com)

“I believe he's a way better CEO than I could have ever been. I spent years and years teaching him, and now he's taking it to a level that I personally could never have taken it to.”

— Mike Barrett, Co-founder of Unosquare (nearshoreamericas.com)

What’s next

Unosquare continues to grow and expand under the leadership of the second generation, with a focus on maintaining the company's mission-driven culture and values.

The takeaway

Unosquare's successful transition to second-generation leadership demonstrates that a founder-led company can defy the odds and thrive when the next generation earns their roles through hard work and a shared commitment to the company's core values, rather than relying on entitlement or nepotism.