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Brazil stands out at Web Summit Lisbon 2025
Brazil has once again taken center stage in the international innovation landscape by bringing over 340 startups and companies to the Web Summit Lisbon 2025, which takes place between November 10th and 13th in Portugal. The delegation, coordinated by ApexBrasil in partnership with Sebrae, represents the maturing of the national ecosystem and the growing internationalization of innovative Brazilian companies.
Economic impact and internationalization
According to data from the Sebrae Startups Observatory, Brazil surpassed the mark of 20,000 active innovative companies in August 2025, a growth of 301% compared to the previous year. Brazilian participation in the Web Summit Lisbon generated more than 15 million euros in business in 2024, and the expectation for 2025 is even higher.
Beyond the volume of business, the event brings together more than 70,000 people and 2,500 startups from around the world, establishing itself as one of the main meeting points for entrepreneurs, investors, and technology leaders. Brazil ranks 27th in the global startup ranking, according to the Startup Ecosystem Index 2025, with more than 150 million active startups worldwide.
Key sectors and diversity
The Brazilian delegation is present in more than 30 sectors, with a focus on HealthTech, EdTech, FinTech, MarTech, DeepTech, and Agritech. The Southeast region accounts for 35.8% of the total innovative companies in the country, but growth is also strong in the North and Northeast regions, showing an increasingly dispersed distribution.
Furthermore, the event reinforces diversity and female entrepreneurship: in 2024, 44% of the startups present were founded by women, the highest rate ever recorded.
Fundraising and sector recovery
In the third quarter of 2025, the Brazilian venture capital sector raised R$2.1 billion in 27 transactions, a growth of 231% compared to the same period of the previous year. The main fundraisings were for information technology and financial product startups, which absorbed more than 80% of the resources.
Companies like QI Tech and NG.Cash led the rounds, with investments of R$ 350 million and R$ 147 million, respectively. Even with the IPO market still "frozen," 18 exit operations were carried out, moving R$ 2.88 billion between June and September.
Challenges and opportunities
Despite the positive outlook, Brazil faces challenges such as the need for greater access to venture capital and the consolidation of public policies to support innovation. Presence at international events like the Web Summit is crucial for connecting Brazilian startups with global investors and expanding their growth opportunities.
Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
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