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Brazil made history at Web Summit Lisbon 2025, the largest technology and innovation event in Europe, with a record delegation of approximately 380 startups. The event, which takes place from November 10th to 13th in Portugal, brings together more than 70,000 participants from 153 countries, including investors, large corporations, and global entrepreneurs.
Brazilian delegation highlights diversity and scale.
Organized by ApexBrasil, Sebrae, and other entities, the Brazilian delegation is the largest ever sent by the country to the Web Summit. According to data from the Sebrae Startups Observatory, Brazil surpassed the mark of 20,000 active innovative companies in August 2025, a growth of more than 301% compared to the previous year. The national ecosystem stands out for its geographic distribution, with startups from all regions, including the North, Northeast, and Midwest.
Economic impact and internationalization
The president of ApexBrasil, Jorge Viana, highlighted that the country is now a benchmark for innovation in Latin America, with scalable solutions in various sectors. The Web Summit serves as a strategic platform for internationalization, allowing Brazilian startups to present their projects to global investors and establish international partnerships.
According to the Startup Ecosystem Index 2025 study, published by StartupBlink, Brazil ranks 27th among countries with the largest number of startups, behind the United States and India. Globally, there are over 150 million startups, with approximately 137,000 new companies founded daily.
Key sectors: tourism, AI, and sustainability.
Among Brazilian startups, tourism stood out with eight companies selected by Embratur, showcasing solutions in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and sustainability. The EmbraturLAB program has already accelerated 40 startups across 11 open innovation programs, aiming to modernize the tourism sector and bring the industry closer to the world's leading technologies.
Besides tourism, companies in AI, advanced robotics, and quantum computing also attracted attention. Startups like Robbot, from Mato Grosso do Sul, develop artificial intelligence agents to optimize communication between companies and customers, while Bee Delivery, from Rio Grande do Norte, works with innovative deliveries.
Challenges and opportunities
Despite the growth, experts point out that the Brazilian ecosystem needs to advance in governance, quality, and social impact. The potential for investment in AI startups is expected to reach US$$ 500 billion by 2026, according to estimates presented at the event. To take advantage of this opportunity, it is crucial that companies incorporate ESG (environmental, social, and governance) goals as a competitive advantage.
Furthermore, public policies for training, credit, and market access are essential to sustain growth. The Sebrae pilot program, for example, provides debt resolution, assisted microcredit, and technological training to strengthen the ecosystem.
Conclusion
Brazil's participation in Web Summit Lisbon 2025 demonstrates that the country is consolidating its role as an innovation hub in Latin America. With regional diversity, scalable solutions, and a focus on sustainability, Brazilian startups have everything they need to attract global investment and transform strategic sectors.
Photo by Mario Gogh on Unsplash
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