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Brazil at the epicenter of global innovation.
While the world follows the technological movements of the major powers, Brazil is playing a decisive role in its innovation ecosystem this week. From Lisbon to Florianópolis, passing through Brasília, the country demonstrates that it is far from being just a consumer of technology — it now produces solutions that are of interest to the planet.
370 Brazilian startups conquer Lisbon.
Brazil arrived at Web Summit Lisbon 2025 with a delegation of over 370 startups and innovative companies, coordinated by ApexBrasil and Sebrae. The event, held from November 10th to 13th in the Portuguese capital, brings together more than 70,000 people and is considered one of the largest global technology gatherings.
The Brazilian Pavilion was officially inaugurated on November 11th, marking a strong presence of the country on the international stage. The initiative goes beyond simple participation: ApexPod em Movimento, the traveling version of the Agency's official podcast, is recording content directly from Lisbon between November 11th and 13th, in videocast format, highlighting Brazil as a protagonist in global innovation.
What's striking here is not just the number of companies, but the geographical diversity — startups from all regions of the country present scalable solutions with the potential for international expansion. Portugal has historically served as a gateway to the European market, making this presence strategic.
The national satellite 100% will be launched this month.
Meanwhile, the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) is in the final stretch for an unprecedented achievement: the launch of the first satellite with national 100% technology developed in Brazil. The equipment, scheduled for November 22nd by the Brazilian Air Force, will be launched from the Alcântara base in Maranhão.
The project, which began five years ago, is now entering its final phase. Two satellites will be launched on the same mission—a feat that expands testing of the new technology. The equipment developed by UFSC weighs between 1 and 2 kilograms, while traditional satellites weigh half a ton, representing a significant advance in miniaturization.
The mission will not cost the university any resources thanks to a partnership with the Brazilian space agency and a private company from South Korea. The satellites will collect environmental data, reinforcing Brazil's commitment to climate monitoring and sustainability.
Digital public innovation at COP30
In the governmental sphere, the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Technology (MGI) launched the CAR (Rural Environmental Registry) at COP30 as Brazil's first Digital Public Asset. This initiative is part of the Acceleration Plan for Solutions (PAS) in Digital Public Infrastructures, led by Brazil in partnership with Norway, India, and other nations.
The key difference lies in the model: sharing public technologies between countries in an open format, fostering an international ecosystem of collaborative innovation. According to the MGI, when well-planned, these systems reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve people's lives—a transformation that Brazil wants to promote on a global scale.
Trends that shaped 2025
In the overall context, experts point out that 2025 consolidates three pillars for small businesses: well-being, sustainability, and artificial intelligence. According to the World Economic Forum, up to 421,300 tasks will be automated by 2027, but this does not mean a reduction in jobs—it implies a transformation in the responsibilities and skills required.
Companies are already investing in reskilling and upskilling to empower employees to work in conjunction with AI. The personalization of products and services, coupled with the adoption of innovative technologies, is emerging as a competitive differentiator.
Renewable energy and storage
In the energy sector, Atmoce, a global solar technology and storage company, is starting operations in Brazil. With falling battery costs and technological advancements, chemical energy storage is expected to play a central role in the energy transition. Brazil is consolidating itself as one of the world's most promising markets for solutions that combine energy generation and autonomy.
What does this mean?
These simultaneous movements indicate a structural shift: Brazil is not merely keeping pace with the global digital transformation—it is leading in specific sectors. From miniaturized satellites to digital public infrastructure, and internationally competitive startups, the country demonstrates an innovative capacity that goes beyond mere rhetoric.
The week also reveals something deeper: the integration between private initiative (startups), academia (UFSC), government (MGI) and funding agencies (ApexBrasil, Sebrae) creating an ecosystem where innovation, sustainability and social impact go hand in hand.
The challenge now is to maintain this momentum, ensure that these solutions reach real markets, and that Brazil consolidates its position not as a technology producer, but as an architect of solutions that matter globally.
Photo by Clastr Cloud Gaming on Unsplash
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