The Brazil–Spain Chamber of Commerce (CCBE) and Stratesys brought together institutional and business representatives within the framework of the South Summit, recently held in Madrid, to promote new avenues of collaboration between Spain and Porto Alegre, the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Porto Alegre showcased its potential in Madrid as one of the main innovation hubs in Latin America during the meeting «Brazil–Spain: Porto Alegre and business opportunities», organized by the Brazil–Spain Chamber of Commerce (CCBE) together with Stratesys, the Chamber’s protective partner, within the framework of the South Summit, one of the main international events dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship.
The day brought together institutional representatives, companies, and experts with the aim of analyzing collaboration and investment opportunities between Spain and the capital of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul.
The opening was led by Óscar Méndez Martínez, executive director of the CCBE, and Pablo Adrián Hardy, vice president of Corporate Affairs at Stratesys. The meeting also included the participation of Hélio Caldas, advisor of the Science, Technology, Innovation, Environment, and Energy Sector of the Brazilian Embassy in Madrid.
One of the central moments of the day was the intervention of Sebastião de Araújo Melo, mayor of Porto Alegre, and Luiz Carlos Pinto da Silva, executive secretary of Innovation, who presented the main economic, technological, and business strengths of the city, as well as the opportunities it offers for foreign investment and the development of new projects.
During their speeches, the positioning of Porto Alegre as one of the most dynamic innovation ecosystems in Latin America was highlighted, supported by more than 1,000 startups, over 40 higher education institutions, and a strong network of scientific and technological parks. Furthermore, the city’s commitment to digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and climate resilience as strategic growth axes was emphasized.
The speakers also underscored the role of Porto Alegre as the host of the South Summit Brazil, one of the largest innovation and entrepreneurship gatherings on the continent, which has established itself as a reference platform to connect startups, companies, investors, and institutions from around the world.
The day also featured the participation of representatives from the Madrid City Council and companies associated with the CCBE such as HDI Battery, Atradius Collections, LIDE Spain, and Aifile, who shared their experiences and projects in areas such as energy, technological innovation, artificial intelligence, and business services.
The meeting concluded with a networking space aimed at fostering new alliances and strengthening economic and business relations between Spain and Brazil, in a context of growing interest in cooperation and investment opportunities between both markets.