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 April 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.

1,000+startups
700+investors
30,000+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 joining us at Web Summit Rio 2024

Claire Diaz-Ortiz
Claire Diaz-Ortiz
Claire Diaz-Ortiz
Author & Venture Capital ScoutKleiner Perkins
Diego Alonso
Diego Alonso
Diego Alonso
Co-founder & Managing PartnerOpera Ventures
Pierre Schurmann
Pierre Schurmann
Pierre Schurmann
CEONUVINI
Izabel Gallera
Izabel Gallera
Izabel Gallera
PartnerCanary
Magnus Grimeland
Magnus Grimeland
Magnus Grimeland
Founder & CEOAntler
Tamara Steffens
Tamara Steffens
Tamara Steffens
Managing DirectorThomson Reuters Ventures
Francisco Jardim
Francisco Jardim
Francisco Jardim
Managing PartnerSP Ventures
Rodrigo Baer
Rodrigo Baer
Rodrigo Baer
Co-founder & Managing PartnerUpload Ventures
Santiago Fossatti
Santiago Fossatti
Santiago Fossatti
PartnerKaszek
Gabriela Gonçalves
Gabriela Gonçalves
Gabriela Gonçalves
Founder & Managing PartnerNamari Capital
Hernan Kazah
Hernan Kazah
Hernan Kazah
Co-founder & Managing PartnerKaszek
Carlos Simonsen
Carlos Simonsen
Carlos Simonsen
Co-founder & Managing PartnerUpload Ventures
Alessandra Dabul
Alessandra Dabul
Alessandra Dabul
Board member and InvestorGavea Angels
Pedro Vicuña
Pedro Vicuña
Pedro Vicuña
Scouting ManagerCencosud Ventures
Rafiq Ahmed
Rafiq Ahmed
Rafiq Ahmed
Managing PartnerDipalo Ventures
Laura Constantini
Laura Constantini
Laura Constantini
Co-founder & PartnerAstella
konstantin Hapkemeyer
konstantin Hapkemeyer
konstantin Hapkemeyer
Investment ManagerSeedstars

Watch the Web Summit Rio 2024 trailer

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

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