In September, a group of Brazilian startups had the opportunity to explore Sweden’s innovation ecosystem during the Brazilian Startups Sweden 2024. This mission, organized by CISB in partnership with Saab AB and CNPq, not only expended horizons but also strengthened ties and generated valuable insights. Here are some reflections from the participants on this transformative experience.

Learnings about the Swedish Ecosystem 

Diogo Gara Caetano, co-founder of Kasco, highlighted the maturity of the Swedish ecosystem and the importance of care for the success of startups. “Through the mission, we managed to join ABB’s SynerLeap Hub, which we believe is crucial for performing duties for new clients abroad.” For Diogo, the main highlights included information about the Swedish ecosystem, visits to companies like Volvo Cars and Saab, and building relationships with local startups.

Innovation and Strategic Partnerships 

Rafael Libardi, CEO of NoLeak, also experienced significant opportunities. “We managed to start pilots with private security companies in Sweden, as well as understand the best ways to approach the market.” He emphasized the importance of partnerships with universities and innovation hubs as pathways to entering the Swedish market. “The receptiveness of the Swedish community was a notable differential.”

Collaborative Mindset 

Guilherme Zuanazzi, CEO of Aprix, observed the powerful collaborative mindset that permeates Swedish society. “The interaction between companies, government, and universities to innovate together is inspiring. Combient, in particular, stood out for its mature network of corporates.” The support from CISB was fundamental in establishing meaningful connections.

Sustainable Development and Cutting-Edge Technology 

Airton Depauli, software engineer at Skydrones, highlighted the quality of the meetings and the importance of presenting Brazilian solutions to global companies. “It was a great learning opportunity. It was possible to show that yes, cutting-edge technology is developed in Brazil, but also to absorb concerns that European market companies have with sustainable development, which is still very latent in Brazil.” He also highlighted CISB’s work in organizing the mission and identifying new opportunities.

Future Paths 

The participants agreed that the mission was a crucial step in their journeys. The future involves maintaining contact with innovation hubs, seeking partnerships with universities, and using LinkedIn to connect with local companies.

Brazilian Startups Sweden 2024 was not just a trip, but a gateway to new possibilities. We thank everyone involved for making this a memorable experience and we look forward to seeing the impact these connections have on each startup’s journey.