Startup? Apply to join the Web Summit Rio startup program

Web Summit Rio’s startup program, ALPHA, showcases the emerging companies disrupting their industries, and introduces them to leading CEOs, investors and media outlets.

Apply for our 2024 ALPHA startup program and join us next year in Rio de Janeiro.

The Startup Lounge during day one of Web Summit Rio 2023 at Riocentro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
  • 300
    %
    Year-on-year growth of the Brazilian ICT sector in the first three months of 2022.
  • 19.5bn
    US$
    Amount of venture capital invested in Latin American startups in 2021.
  • 10
    Number of Brazilian startups that reached unicorn status in 2021.
  • 500m
    US$
    Amount raised by Brazil's Nubank in 2021 to become the digital bank with the highest market value in the world.
  • 21
    Total number of Brazil-founded unicorns.
  • 6bn
    US$
    Projected amount Brazil's travel tech scene will generate in 2022.

What is the Web Summit Rio startup program?

Our startup program offers you the chance to join a community of startups, each selected by the Web Summit Rio team for its potential to grow, its uniqueness and its gamechanging ideas.

If selected, you’ll get three tickets to Web Summit Rio, which give you access to investor to startup meetings, PITCH, startup masterclasses, Mentor Hours and more event activations.
970+startups
500+investors
21,000+attendees
Treblle-startup-booth-during-day-three-of-Web-Summit-2021-at-the-Altice-Arena-in-Lisbon
Brand Awareness
The world’s leading media publications and journalists will join Web Summit Rio looking for the next big news story. They’ll help you share your startup’s message with the world – and the world’s leading businesses.
Funding
Investor to Startup meetings are pre-scheduled sessions between the world’s most influential investors and the startups that excite them. If selected you’ll get insider advice on making your startup irresistible to investors.
Networking
Networking opportunities are woven through every Web Summit experience. Start networking weeks before the event with the Web Summit Rio app – reach out to investors, sign up for Mentor Hours, and find potential leads.
Learning
Schedule meetings with founders who’ve overcome all the odds and trendsetting companies in your industry. And follow up on these leads after the event. You never know who may become your new business partner, investor or mentor.

Meet the investors who joined us at Web Summit Rio 2023

Rodrigo BaerUpload Ventures
Rodrigo Baer
Edith YeungRace Capital
Edith Yeung
Eric AcherMonashees
Eric Acher
Renata QuintiniRenegade Partners
Renata Quintini
Zach CoeliusCoelius Capital
Zach Coelius
Michael NicklasValor Capital Group
Michael Nicklas
Gina GotthilfLatitud
Gina Gotthilf
Gabriel VasquezAndreessen Horowitz
Gabriel Vasquez
Izabel GalleraCanary
Izabel Gallera
Santiago FossattiKaszek
Santiago Fossatti
Laura ConstantiniAstella
Laura Constantini
Mathias SchillingHeadline
Mathias Schilling
Patrick ArippolAlexia Ventures
Patrick Arippol
Maria Gutierrez PenalozaNido Ventures
Maria Gutierrez Penaloza
Ian HathawayFar Out Ventures
Ian Hathaway
Luis LoraGlobo Ventures
Luis Lora
Amee ParbhooAccion Venture Lab
Amee Parbhoo

Meet some of our startup alums

Algolia logo color

“You won’t find a better place in Brazil – or anywhere else for that matter – than Rio de Janeiro.”

A large stage viewed over the silhouetted heads of an audience. Two large screens are on the stage, on either side of the Web Summit logo. Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, is on the screens, speaking via video link.

– TechCrunch

“The world’s best speakers.”

Christine Herron, Mentor, StartX, on Centre Stage during day two of Web Summit

– Inc.

“Where the future goes to be born.”

Startup at Mentor Hours during the opening day of Web Summit

– The Atlantic

“Rio de Janeiro is becoming one of the best places to build a startup.”

Skyscrapers and other buildings line the waters of Rio de Janeiro's warm-looking Guanabara Bay. The rocky Sugarloaf Mountain is in the background.

– Founder Institute