On 9 April 2026, the Brazilian Mission to the European Union, the EU Delegation to Brazil, ApexBrasil, abstartups, and the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator hosted the webinar:
“Open innovation: How Brazilian corporates and startups can connect with Europe and the Caribbean.”
The session focused on a practical question: how Brazilian companies can use international partnerships to accelerate innovation and market access.
A joint effort across public and private actors
The webinar brought together institutional and operational perspectives.
The opening remarks were delivered by:
- Eduardo Pereira Ferreira, Minister at the Brazilian Mission to the European Union
- Alexander Kuhl, Cooperation Attaché at the EU Delegation to Brazil
- Alex Figueiredo, Chief Operating Officer at ApexBrasil
The session was moderated by Jonas Teixeira Marinho, Secretary at the Brazilian Mission to the European Union.
How the programme enables collaboration (Maika Gorostidi & Miguel Rodríguez)
The session detailed how the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator turns these opportunities into structured collaborations.
Key elements presented included:
- The 5th open innovation call
- The Matching Platform, a B2B marketplace featuring around 2,000 startups and more than 50 corporate challenges
- A structured process to move from initial contact to a pilot
The focus was on execution. Not just finding partners, but building collaborations that lead to results.
A concrete example: TechBalance
To illustrate this, Fabiana Almeida, Founder and CEO of TechBalance, shared her experience.
Her case showed what companies gain when the process works:
- A validated solution in a real environment
- Access to new markets
- A clearer path to scaling
What companies should take away
The takeaway is practical.
Companies that want to stay competitive should:
- Look beyond their domestic market
- Partner with organisations that complement their capabilities
- Focus on rapid validation through pilots
Without structure, these collaborations often stall. With the right framework, they can scale.
Missed the session or want to revisit the key insights? Watch the full webinar recording below:
