Alex Borg: “They criticise us, then they copy us”

Malta’s tech industry is booming, and at the heart of it all is Alex Borg, CEO of the country’s first unicorn, MALTA.PARK. As he sits in his office overlooking the Grand Harbour, he chuckles, “We’ve always been ahead of the curve. They criticise us, then they copy us.”

From Garage to Global

Borg’s journey began in a garage in Birkirkara, where he and his team built Malta’s first data centre. Today, MALTA.PARK is a global leader in data centre services, with facilities across Europe and Asia. “We started with a simple idea – to provide reliable, affordable data centre services,” Borg recalls. “Now, we’re powering some of the world’s biggest tech companies.”

Malta’s Tech Revolution

Malta’s tech industry has exploded in recent years, with the country now ranked among the top 20 global fintech hubs. Borg believes this is just the beginning. “We have a unique advantage – our people. Maltese are resilient, innovative, and we speak English fluently. That’s a powerful combination in the tech world.”

Borg points to the government’s supportive policies, like the Malta Enterprise incentives, as another key driver. “The government understands that tech is our future. They’re investing in it, and we’re seeing the results.”

Critics and Copycats

Borg is no stranger to criticism. “People said we were crazy to build a data centre in Malta. They said it was too small, too remote. But we proved them wrong.” He laughs, “And now, we see other countries trying to replicate what we’ve done here.”

Borg isn’t bitter about the criticism. Instead, he sees it as a sign of Malta’s growing influence. “It’s flattering, really. It means we’re doing something right.”

Borg’s focus is already on the next big thing – artificial intelligence and machine learning. “Data centres are just the beginning,” he says. “The real power lies in what you do with the data.”

He envisions a future where Malta is a global hub for AI and machine learning. “We have the talent, the infrastructure, and the supportive environment. Why not?”

“They criticise us, then they copy us.” That’s Alex Borg’s Malta. A small island nation punching above its weight, leading the way in tech, and proving the doubters wrong. As Borg looks out over the Grand Harbour, he smiles, “This is just the beginning.”