Record delegation makes appearance in Lisbon as global VC market grows 38%
Brazil landed in Lisbon in full force. Around 380 Brazilian startups arrived in Portugal for the Web Summit 2025, which takes place between November 10th and 13th, forming the largest delegation from the country in the event's history. This is not just a number: it's a barometer of the maturity of the Brazilian innovation ecosystem and a clear sign that the country is ready to compete in the global technology market.
The timing couldn't be better. In the third quarter of 2025, the global venture capital market reached approximately US$97 billion in investments—an increase of US$38 billion year-over-year. This is the best quarterly performance since 2021 and marks the fourth consecutive quarter in which investments have exceeded US$90 billion. The “venture capital winter” of 2022-2023 is behind us.
Impressive numbers
Web Summit 2025 promises to welcome over 70,000 people, including 2,500 exhibiting startups, 1,000 investors, and 900 speakers. The Brazilian delegation is not only numerous—it's strategic. Of the 380 startups, 151 were selected by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), with 35 from the Northeast region.
Brazil is home to more than 20,000 startups, and the Northeast region accounts for 24.71% of them, according to data from the Sebrae Startups Observatory. The region has the second-highest concentration in the country, behind only the Southeast with 35.81% of them. This decentralization reflects an expanding and more mature ecosystem.
Last year, Brazilian participation in the Web Summit generated over 15 million euros in business. Expectations for 2025 are even higher, especially with the focus on artificial intelligence and sustainability.
AI and ESG as a competitive advantage
During the Brazil-Portugal Internationalization Seminar, held on November 10th, Vinícius Lages, manager of the International Advisory Unit at Sebrae, connected the growth trajectory of the VC market to the climate commitments made at COP30 in Belém.
The potential for investment in AI startups is US$380 billion, projected to reach US$500 billion by 2026. But there's a condition: quality, governance, and impact. Lages argued that Brazilian startups should incorporate ESG goals not as an obligation, but as a competitive advantage. "What is agreed upon at COP30 needs to permeate the technology sectors," he stated.
Ceará and the Northeast in the spotlight.
Ceará is taking four startups to Lisbon: Love Technology (IT talent recruitment), Hublocal (digital presence solutions), Soffia (healthcare shift management), and Unum Sistemas. According to Herbart Melo, coordinator of the Innovation Environments Management Unit at Sebrae/CE, this presence reinforces the maturation of the local ecosystem.
Brazilian innovation in unexpected sectors
While most Brazilian startups focus on software and services, there is room for innovation in niche markets. Safe On Orbit, a Brazilian deep tech company focused on monitoring space traffic and preventing collisions in orbit, has just received its first venture capital investment — 1 million reais from Bossa Invest, the largest VC manager in Latin America.
The situation is urgent: there are more than 10,000 active satellites in orbit in 2025, with expectations of tripling that number by 2030. The chance of impacts between satellites or space debris grows proportionally. Safe On Orbit has developed a risk prediction system that guides preventive maneuvers for satellite operators. “More important than the monetary value is the symbolism: we show that with little capital it is already possible to revitalize this sector and create real solutions,” stated Farley Ramos, senior analyst at Bossa Invest.
What changes for Brazil
A massive presence at Web Summit 2025 isn't just about visibility. It's about attracting resources, strategic partnerships, and international validation. Portugal is already a preferred route: the Road 2 Web Summit program will support 115 Portuguese startups this year, bringing the number of companies supported since 2016 to over a thousand. These startups have collectively raised €40 million.
For Brazil, the message is clear: the global market is open, capital is flowing, and now is the time to expand. But there is pressure for quality, governance, and real impact—not just technology for technology's sake.
Photo by Dan Taylor on Unsplash
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