Building the future tech ecosystem

Shaping the Future: Breakthrough Startups Redefining Industries at Web Summit Rio 2026

(This article was generated with AI and it’s based on a AI-generated transcription of a real talk on stage. While we strive for accuracy, we encourage readers to verify important information.)

The Web Summit Rio de Janeiro 2026 Startup Showcase, sponsored by Google, highlighted innovative solutions across various sectors. Hosted by Nathã Souza from Google Cloud, the event featured quickfire presentations from startups addressing significant challenges in e-commerce, education, sport, fitness, entertainment, and social media. Attendees gained insights into market trends, customer acquisition strategies, and the future of SaaS, exploring how these innovations are shaping a more connected, secure, and efficient industry.

Erick Couto introduced Vindu, an AI-powered RSVP platform designed to simplify event organization. Vindu contacts guests via their preferred method, including text, phone calls, or WhatsApp, tracking attendance in real-time. This solution aims to reduce waste and costs, ultimately improving overall event planning. Vindu offers both B2C applications through iOS and Android apps, and a B2B API for broader integration.

Rosane Marques presented iTRecruiter, addressing the complexity of talent acquisition amidst numerous AI and tech tools. Her platform orchestrates various recruiting technologies into a single, efficient flow. It automatically identifies talent within databases or external social media, matches candidates to requirements, and handles repetitive tasks, allowing human recruiters to focus on strategic interactions and the “human technology” aspect of hiring. iTRecruiter operates in Brazil and Portugal.

Pedro Filho unveiled Orla Mais, a mobile app transforming the beach experience in Brazil. It tackles issues like unclear pricing and lack of digital presence for beach vendors. Customers can reserve chairs, umbrellas, drinks, and other products in advance, ensuring transparency and convenience. Vendors benefit from organized reservations, increased digital sales, and broader customer reach, enhancing the overall quality and safety of beach visits.

Boris Daniel Lancheros introduced Lanchmon, a data infrastructure platform for emerging markets. He highlighted the structural problem of data scarcity in regions like Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, where global platforms often fall short. Lanchmon works with integrators to activate, organize, and verify information, connecting local ecosystems with global markets. The platform is accessible via the Lunchmon app.

Ana Lacativa presented Olho na BET, a RegTech solution for Brazil’s newly regulated sports betting market. Recognizing the vulnerability of millions of new bettors, the platform analyzes and translates complex terms and conditions into plain language. It scores licensed operators across five pillars: regulatory compliance, LGBT privacy, financial solidity, consumer transparency, and responsible gaming, empowering consumers to make informed decisions before placing bets.

Gustavo Pereira showcased Amazoka, a tourism platform for the Amazon. It addresses the paradox of the Amazon being a desired yet challenging destination to navigate due to fragmented offerings and low digital presence of local providers. Amazoka acts as a digital concierge, solving the entire tourist journey by centralizing experiences, transfers, guides, and currency exchange. The platform, built by locals, is already live in Santarém.

Henrique Rabelo de Andrade introduced Herufi, an AI-powered tool designed to combat burnout in the age of AI. Recognizing the cognitive load placed on human workers by AI tools, Herufi uses local AI processing to provide cognitive insights and ergonomic guidance. It aims to improve performance without compromising well-being, leveraging methods validated in a five-year coaching program. Herufi’s MVP is launching at Web Summit Rio 2026.

Adriana Rossac presented Conecta 51s, a startup focused on career transitions for professionals aged 50 and above. In a rapidly changing market, many experienced individuals struggle to translate their knowledge into new opportunities. Conecta 51s utilizes its unique methodology and AI technology to provide direction, structure, and support, preparing these professionals for the future of work and helping them find new value in their extensive experience.

Luane Macedo introduced ODOS, an operating system for impact organizations. She highlighted that a lack of structural access to funding, rather than a shortage of capital, hinders many organizations creating significant social and environmental impact. ODOS is an AI platform that helps these organizations assess funding readiness, identify opportunities, build proposals, manage fundraising processes, and track their impact, centralizing these functions in one place.

Edmila Santa Rita presented UmamaCare, a digital perinatal health ecosystem addressing Brazil’s high maternal mortality rate, where 92% of deaths are preventable. The platform focuses on prevention, human-centered care, and maternal health intelligence. It offers personalized care journeys, community spaces, and wellness programs, generating data for a maternal health observatory. UmamaCare aims to build a community-driven infrastructure for perinatal care.

Natalia Rubilar Ramirez showcased Tripsy, a platform simplifying travel planning for both agencies and travelers. It transforms the hours agencies spend creating personalized trips into minutes, enabling them to scale their offerings. For consumers, Tripsy’s AI, “Iris,” builds personal itineraries quickly, reducing travel anxiety. With over 900 travelers trusting Iris, Tripsy is growing organically and seeking partnerships with travel agencies.

Matheus Mascena introduced Affiliates, a platform empowering creators to generate more sales and brands to scale creator-led commerce. Recognizing creators as a primary sales channel, Affiliates ensures brands pay only for sales and creators are rewarded based on performance. In its first year, the platform onboarded over 16,000 creators, partnered with 30 brands, and generated over R$10 million in new sales, envisioning a future where every creator is a storefront.

Isabelle Maza presented Flower Nanotechnology, a Brazilian startup developing a microfluid platform capable of building customized vaccines. This innovative technology allows for tailored production using specialized chips and pumps. Already supplying leading research institutes in Brazil, Flower Nanotechnology is also exploring applications in cosmetics, developing nano-emulsions for high-value products and seeking international collaborations for co-development in health tech and cosmetics.