[Foto: Richard Souza / Expressa]
The final day of Web Summit Rio 2026, held this Thursday (11), convenes a Center Stage lineup focused on artificial intelligence, technological sovereignty, innovation, biodiversity, the financial sector, and the future of global technology.
The morning schedule opens at 10:05 a.m. with showcase presentations from innovative startups, featuring representatives from BOND, Principia, and Cartsy to discuss entrepreneurship and tech solutions originating in Brazil.
Following the opening session, Fabio Coelho, President and VP of Google Brazil, joins Eric Acher, co-founder of Monashees, for a panel titled “Building in the Deep end,” examining the evolution of the regional innovation and venture capital ecosystem.
Among the morning’s key international speakers is Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy. Her panel addresses the challenges of tech sovereignty and building global strategic partnerships amid an increasingly competitive landscape.
The AI-driven transformation of corporate structures will also take center stage. Executives from Read AI and Pipefy will explore how automation is redefining administrative functions and internal corporate workflows.
Additionally, OpenAI will lead a session titled “Ask the Community,” featuring Christian Rôças—head of community, creator, and talent partnerships—discussing the broader impact and evolution of artificial intelligence technologies.
The morning schedule concludes with the grand final of the PITCH competition, showcasing shortlisted startups evaluated throughout the event, with the winner scheduled for announcement in the early afternoon.
Biodiversity, Inclusion, and the Digital Economy
In the afternoon, sessions shift toward environmental and socio-economic priorities:
- Environmental Impact: The panel “The Biodiversity Crisis Is a Business Crisis” brings together Minister of Indigenous Peoples Sonia Guajajara, climate scientist Carlos Nobre, and sustainability leaders to analyze the financial implications of conservation.
- Financial Services: The session “Beyond the Bank Account” examines digital banking transformations, featuring Revolut Brazil CEO Glauber Mota alongside former Economy Minister Paulo Guedes.
- Urban Innovation: The presentation “Favela 4D: What Rio’s Favelas Can Teach the World” explores urban planning, social development, and community-driven innovation emerging from local Rio neighborhoods.
Semiconductors, Tech Infrastructure, and the 2027 Women’s World Cup
Global hardware supply chains will be addressed in “The Chip That Ate the World,” a panel examining the strategic role of semiconductor manufacturing in global economics and technology development.
Closing out the Center Stage agenda, FIFA representatives present “Let the Games Begin: Brazil 2027,” detailing preparations for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted by Brazil.
Throughout the day, attendees can also access parallel stages, visit corporate and startup exhibition booths, and participate in targeted business networking. Held at the Riocentro exhibition center, Web Summit Rio 2026 brings together international business leaders, investors, founders, and researchers, reinforcing its position as one of Latin America’s premier technology and innovation conferences.
