Startups, industry, and the public sector are making progress in digital transformation.
Brazil is experiencing a week of reaffirming its position as a hub for technological innovation. While more than 350 Brazilian startups are present at the Web Summit Lisbon 2025, the country is also demonstrating strength in traditional sectors and in state modernization, signaling that digital transformation has ceased to be a promise and has become a reality on multiple fronts.
Brazilian startups conquer the global stage.
With over 350 innovative companies, the Brazilian delegation at Web Summit Lisbon 2025 (November 10-13) represents the country's largest presence at the event. The number is impressive not only for its size but also for its geographical diversity: approximately 9.21 TQL of Brazilian startups come from the North region, historically underrepresented in the innovation ecosystem.
Eduardo Migliorelli, CEO of Atlantic Hub and responsible for the Brazil Web Summit 2025 Mission, summarizes the objective: “Brazil arrives in Lisbon with the goal of showing that it is capable of competing on an equal footing with the major technology centers of the world.” The participation is coordinated by ApexBrasil in partnership with Sebrae and other public and private entities.
The event brings together more than 70,000 participants from 153 countries, establishing itself as one of the largest technology and entrepreneurship gatherings in the world. For Brazilian startups, participation represents a concrete opportunity to attract investment and access global markets.
Traditional industry embraces digital transformation.
While startups conquer Lisbon, Brazilian industry also reaffirms its commitment to innovation. At the MetaIndústria panel, held this Wednesday (November 12th), leaders from sectors such as chemicals, machinery, automotive, and food discussed the integration between technology, sustainability, and competitiveness.
The Brazilian chemical industry, the sixth largest in the world, faces structural challenges: energy transition and the high cost of natural gas directly impact competitiveness. According to industry representatives, the solution lies in government policies that ensure predictability and an environment conducive to innovation.
In the automotive industry, companies are already testing digital solutions that reduce losses and improve traceability. The challenge now is to scale these experiences across the entire supply chain. For Anita Dedding, from ABIMAQ, "digitalization is an essential ally in increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of the machinery and equipment industry, but the process requires continuity and strategic planning.".
Public sector launches digital infrastructure for climate impact.
At COP30, the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services (MGI) launched on Tuesday (November 11) a strategic agenda to address the climate crisis: the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) as the first Brazilian Digital Public Good. This international recognition marks the inclusion of CAR in the catalog of the Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA), a global network of open digital solutions with the potential to generate impact on the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Minister of Management, Esther Dweck, reinforced this position: “Technology must go hand in hand with sustainability and a commitment to social justice.” The launch consolidates Brazil's leading role in building a new paradigm of international cooperation based on open and interoperable technologies.
Simultaneously, the MGI presents advancements in state modernization at the XXX CLAD International Congress in Asunción, Paraguay. The agenda is structured around three axes: People Management, Digital Transformation, and Public Organizations, with an emphasis on federative cooperation to expand digital transformation in the country.
Insurance and technology: the next step
The insurance sector is also making its presence felt during Innovation Week. Europ Assistance Brasil is participating in CQCS Insurtech & Innovation 2025 (November 11th and 12th, in São Paulo) with its own booth and panel discussion on technology and efficiency. The debate connects 24-hour assistance, artificial intelligence, and customer experience, highlighting how digital transformation will redefine the consumer journey in the sector.
What changes
The convergence of initiatives in startups, industry, the public sector, and insurance points to a Brazil that not only talks about innovation but executes it on a large scale. The challenge now is to ensure that this transformation reaches all regions and sectors, reducing inequalities and creating real opportunities for economic growth and sustainable development.
Photo by Kvalifik on Unsplash
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