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Brazil's largest delegation in the history of the event is present in Lisbon.
Brazil landed in Portugal with its largest delegation in the history of Web Summit Lisbon 2025, comprising approximately 380 startups and innovative companies. The event, which takes place between November 10th and 13th in the Portuguese capital, brings together more than 70,000 participants from 153 countries, consolidating itself as the main meeting point between startups, investment funds, and large global corporations.
Brazilian participation is coordinated by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) in partnership with the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), with delegations from all regions of the country. According to data from ApexBrasil, Brazilian small businesses generated almost 15 million euros in business deals closed during and after the last three editions of the Web Summit.
Artificial Intelligence in the spotlight
Artificial intelligence is the main protagonist of this edition. As revealed during the Brazil-Portugal Internationalization Seminar, held on Monday (10), the potential for investments in AI startups reaches US$ 380 billion in this cycle, and could reach US$ 500 billion in 2026. This explosion of capital puts pressure on the ecosystem for quality, governance and impact.
Brazil arrives at the event with solutions that go beyond the conventional radar, including quantum computing and advanced robotics. Brazilian startups are integrating AI in an integrated way into their business models, signaling the growing maturity of the local ecosystem.
Brazil Pavilion and intensive agenda
The Brazil Pavilion, located in the MEO Arena, serves as the main space for institutional and commercial visibility for Brazilian startups. The program includes seminars, lectures, launches, pitch sessions, debates, and business meetings with international leaders.
Among the highlights are solutions related to the bioeconomy, health, education, sustainable agribusiness, tourism, and the creative economy. The agenda also includes... ApexPod on the Go, This is a traveling version of the Agency's official podcast, recorded between November 11th and 13th in videocast format, featuring conversations with entrepreneurs, experts, and investors.
Tourism and open innovation
Embratur brought eight tourism-focused startups to the event, developed within the EmbraturLAB innovation programs. The solutions focus on sustainability, data, and new experiences, with the potential to attract global investment.
According to Roberto Gevaerd, Director of Management and Innovation at Embratur, startup delegations create an open innovation environment that combines technology and real revenue. Brazil has already accelerated 40 startups in 11 open innovation programs, in partnership with giants like Google and TikTok.
Context and perspectives
Web Summit 2025 brings together tech giants like Nvidia, IBM, Microsoft, Meta, Qualcomm, Apple, and TikTok, as well as over 2,500 global startups and a thousand investors. Portugal also has a strong presence with 178 Portuguese startups, led by Unicorn Factory Lisboa and Startup Portugal.
According to Herbart Melo, coordinator of the Innovation Environments Management Unit at Sebrae/CE, the presence of startups from Ceará reinforces the maturation of the local ecosystem. Brazil is currently home to more than 20,000 startups, consolidating itself as a reference in innovation in Latin America.
The expectation is that this edition will consolidate the growth trajectory initiated in the three previous editions, focusing on energy transition, innovation, and sustainability as drivers of economic growth.
Photo by Dan Taylor on Unsplash
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