In an interview with Somos Pymes, Gustavo Manzella — founder of HolaSim, the Argentine company that provides phone and internet services for international travelers — shared how they identified a clear market need, how their business model works, and what their global expansion plans look like.
Read the full interview
How did the idea for the company come about?
“All four founders come from the mobile telecom world, and back in 2002 we noticed that when foreigners arrived in Argentina, their phones simply didn’t work because the country used a different network technology. That’s when we spotted an opportunity — and we went for it. At that time SIM cards didn’t even exist, so we started out by renting phones with the service already included. As technology evolved, we expanded our offering, and that’s how Holasim was officially born in 2015.”
What’s your business model?
“At HolaSim, we provide international roaming solutions for travelers — whether they’re flying for leisure or for work. In a world where being disconnected simply isn’t an option, we offer an essential service at very accessible prices, with a quality that stands above our competitors.”
What were the key factors that helped solidify the business?
“We focus on three pillars that we believe are essential:”
“The first is service quality. When negotiating with carriers around the world, we always prioritize connection quality over cost.”
“The second is customer support. We know how essential it is for our customers to stay connected — even more so when they’re abroad. That’s why we put a strong focus on offering multiple ways to reach us, including WhatsApp, email, and social media.”
“The third is our team. We put a lot of emphasis on making sure everyone at HolaSim feels their best and works in an environment without friction — a place where people genuinely enjoy coming in every day.”
What does the company look like today, and how are you planning the brand’s expansion?
“Right now, we’re developing a wide range of products linked to virtual SIMs, or eSIMs. Even though it’s not a brand-new technology, its adoption has grown much more recently. Since physical SIM cards are being replaced by virtual ones, this gives us the chance not only to deepen our presence in the eight countries where we currently operate (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the United States, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay), but also to expand globally. Europe is our next major priority.”
What sets HolaSim apart from its competitors?
“More than 22 years in the market have made a real difference. Over that time, we’ve shaped what HolaSim is today, with our main strengths being pricing, connection quality, and — above all — customer care. We go all-in for our customers: from helping them choose the right product, to providing technical support, and even sharing tips about their travel destination. We want every customer’s experience to be as seamless as possible so they can enjoy their trip to the fullest.”
Travel with HolaSim ✈️
And make every trip feel like the one you’ve always dreamed of. ❤️
When you choose HolaSim for your next trip, you get a range of benefits that let you travel with total peace of mind — no stress, no surprises.
Unlimited data: With HolaSim, you get unlimited data to explore freely and stay connected throughout your entire trip — without limits.
Significant savings: Buy your eSIM or physical SIM before your trip and save up to 80% on international roaming costs. That way, you can use your money on the experiences that really matter during your journey.
✈️ Instant activation: The moment you land, your eSIM or SIM activates right away — no hunting for a physical chip, no setup headaches.
Security and convenience: It adds an extra layer of protection by backing up your data online, making it easier to recover if your device is ever lost or stolen.
By choosing HolaSim’s eSIM for your trip, you’ll travel with the peace of mind of staying connected at all times — with unlimited data and zero worries about international roaming costs.
Travel connected with HolaSim — and make the most of every moment around the world!