Brazilian startups focus on Portugal

To drum up business in Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking world, 280 Brazilian startups will be flying to Lisbon over the next few days on a mission of internationalisation and to attend Web Summit which runs in Lisbon between 1-4 November.

The startups will spend six intense days involved in meetings and activities, including exclusive visits, business networking and meetings, presentations, and hookups with the major players in Portugal’s local technology startups tech ecosystem.
In addition to this packed diary, Sebrae, a business startup agency which helps small Brazilian companies expand overseas, is organising an exchange with Portugal, signing a partnership with Portugal’s agency for innovation and competitiveness IAPMEI with the support of its counterpart in Brazil ApexBrasil, as well as formalising its membership to the World Trade Centre Lisboa (WTC).
“This mission to Lisbon marks the bi-lateral cooperation with the vibrant ecosystem in Europe that Portugal represents, with a focus on entrepreneurialism and innovation”, says Sebrae president, Carlos Melles.
According to him the initiative is part of the institution’s strategy to support the internationalisation of small businesses in Portuguese speaking countries with Portugal the first point of contact. “In addition to being with and meeting some of the key players in the local entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem, we will be supporting the international expansion of these Brazilian companies and helping them be successful in this endeavour,” said Melles.
This year 80 Brazilian startups will form part of this international mission, 60 of which will have stands at Web Summit and 20 others will attending the fair.
The mission is supported by ApexBrasil (Brazilian Agency for Overseas Exports and Investments), the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Brazil in Portugal, Softex (a Brazilian IT, Software and Services promotion entity) and Serpro (a Brazilian company — the largest public IT company in the word). A further 200 companies will complete the delegation in Lisbon, including 16 startups accelerated by Inova Amazônia, a Sebrae programme that fosters innovative business in the eight states that comprise Brazil’s Legal Amazon (BLA) region, aiming to strengthen the bio-economy, sustainable local development, and open innovation.