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Record delegation of Brazilian startups attends Web Summit Lisbon 2025
Brazil arrives at Web Summit Lisbon 2025 — one of the largest global technology and innovation events — with a record delegation of over 370 startups and innovative companies from all regions of the country. This participation, coordinated by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) in partnership with the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), marks a strategic moment for the national ecosystem.
The event, held between November 10th and 13th in the Portuguese capital, brings together more than 70,000 people and offers Brazil unprecedented visibility on the international business stage. The Brazil Pavilion was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, November 11th, by the presidents of ApexBrasil, Jorge Viana, and Sebrae, Décio Lima.
Visibility and internationalization strategy
ApexBrasil launched ApexPod in Motion, a traveling version of its official podcast, recorded directly from the Brazil Pavilion between November 11th and 13th. In videocast format, the program features conversations with entrepreneurs, experts, and investors who are driving Brazilian innovation, with a special focus on the Northeast as an emerging region in the technological landscape.
Furthermore, ApexBrasil and Sebrae selected ten Brazilian companies for an internationalization internship in Lisbon, reinforcing their commitment to consolidating Brazilian businesses in the European market, where Portugal acts as a strategic gateway.
Technological innovation marks the month of November in Brazil.
The first national 100% satellite will be launched by the end of the month.
While Brazil is positioned in Lisbon, the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) is preparing a historic launch: the first satellite with national 100% technology. Developed in Florianópolis after five years of work, the equipment will be launched by the Brazilian Air Force on November 22nd, from the Alcântara base in Maranhão.
The difference lies in size and efficiency: UFSC's satellites weigh between 1 and 2 kg, while traditional satellites weigh half a ton. The mission will include five satellites and three experiments on the same rocket, the result of a partnership with the Brazilian space agency and a private South Korean company that guarantees the launch at no cost to the university.
The satellites will collect environmental and climate data, with processing performed remotely through the ground station in Natal. The project's success was so significant that UFSC was able to include a second satellite in the same mission, expanding the testing of the new technology.
Digital Public Goods Gain Prominence at COP30
At COP30, the Ministry of Public Management and Innovation (MGI) launched the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) as Brazil's first Digital Public Asset, part of the Solutions Acceleration Plan (PAS) in Digital Public Infrastructures. This initiative, led by Brazil in partnership with Norway, India, Co-Develop, and DPGA, proposes the sharing of public technologies between countries in an open format.
The Minister of the Ministry of International Development emphasized that digital transformation has moved beyond being a purely technical issue and has taken on a central role in global governance. According to the Minister, the State acts as a guardian of the public interest and has a responsibility to democratize the benefits of digital transformation while mitigating its risks.
Trends shaping 2025
Artificial intelligence and well-being lead the business agenda.
By 2025, experts indicate that artificial intelligence, well-being, and sustainability are emerging as the main trends for small businesses. According to estimates from the World Economic Forum, up to 421,300 tasks will be automated by 2027, resulting not in job losses, but in a transformation of the necessary skills.
Companies are investing in reskilling and upskilling to empower employees to work in conjunction with technology. AI is being used to personalize experiences from employee selection to skills enhancement, increasing efficiency and engagement.
Renewable energy and storage as an opportunity
Brazil is establishing itself as one of the world's most promising markets for solar energy and storage solutions. Atmoce, a global solar and storage technology company, has begun operations in the country under the leadership of Lucas Troia. With over 60 GW installed (43 GW in distributed generation), the Brazilian market is one of the most competitive globally.
The potential for chemical energy storage is strategic: in addition to large-scale BESS projects, there is enormous scope in distributed generation, which could be part of the solution to the curtailment caused by the advancement of renewable sources in the Brazilian electricity matrix.
What changes
The convergence of these movements—record presence of startups in Lisbon, launch of the national 100% satellite, digitization of public goods, and consolidation of technology and energy markets—signals that Brazil is consolidating its position as a relevant player in global innovation. This is not just about participating in events, but about structuring ecosystems capable of generating value and international competitiveness.
For entrepreneurs and investors, the current moment demands alignment with trends in sustainability, technology, and social impact. Companies that balance innovation with purpose are better prepared to thrive in the dynamic and challenging landscape that is unfolding in the coming years.
Photo by Letícia Fracalossi on Unsplash
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