Schedule

Spotlight Paraíba - March 20, 2026 

Venue: Poet Ronaldo Cunha Lima Convention Centre

João Pessoa, Paraíba 

09:00 – 10:00 | Registration

10:00 – 11:00 | Networking Welcome Coffee

11:00 – 11:15 | Opening Remarks

Speakers

Claudio Furtado -  Secretary of State for Science, Technology, Innovation and Higher Education of Paraíba

11:15 – 11:40 | Panel

Lab to Legacy: Scaling Regional Research into Global Impact

In an increasingly decentralised digital economy, the next Silicon Valley isn't a place—it’s a system. This session examines how regional powerhouses like Paraíba are leveraging universities, industries, and government to compete on the global stage. As emerging technologies like XR, AI, and Digital Twins erase geographic boundaries, the challenge has shifted from creating talent to scaling impact.

Speakers

Aléssio Tony Cavalcanti de Almeida - Professor, Department of Economics of the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB)

Moderator

Bruno Stefani -  CEO & Founder, NERD

11:40 – 12:15 | Panel

What it takes to build a successful startup
What does it take to move from an initial spark to a global market leader? This session brings together founders and executives from world-class startups to discuss the high-velocity transition from "stuck" to "scaled." Focusing on the DNA of rapid growth, the panel explores the operational strategies needed to build resilient financial infrastructure, lead AI-native product development and capture international markets. Led by a veteran of tech journalism, this conversation provides a practical masterclass in the pivots and grit required to build a sustainable global powerhouse in today's competitive landscape.

Speakers

Gustavo Gorenstein -  CEO, Jeeves Brazil

Marcelo Echeverria - Head of Growth, Replit

Eddie Gueiros - COO, Moises & Co-founder, Music.AI

Moderator

Plínio Almeida -  Reporter, TV Cabo Branco

12:15 – 12:45 | Panel

The hottest VC trends in 2026
As we move through 2026, the venture capital landscape is being redefined by a "return to fundamentals" coupled with a massive pivot toward autonomous infrastructure. This session brings together top-tier investors from Silicon Valley and Latin America to decode the investment climate of 2026, moving beyond the hype to identify where long-term value is being built. If you're a builder or investor, join us to discover how the liquidity rebound is reshaping the way founders must build for the global stage.

Speakers

Zach Coelius - Managing Partner, Coelius Capital

Carolina Strobel - Founding Partner, Antler Brasil

Vitor Andrade - Investment Manager, Triaxis Capital

Moderator

Gustavo Brigatto - Founder and Editor-in-Chief, startups.com.br

12:45 – 14:15 | Networking Lunch

14:15 – 15:45 | PITCH Competition

Judges

Zach Coelius - Managing Partner, Coelius Capital

Carolina Strobel - Founding Partner, Antler Brasil
Francilene Procópio Garcia - Professor, Federal University of Campina Grande

15:45 – 16:10 | Panel

Why Brazil is a vital market for the world's biggest companies
For the world's largest enterprises, Brazil is no longer just a regional outpost—it is a critical laboratory for global strategy. This panel brings together leaders from corporate giants to discuss why Brazil remains a high-priority "battleground" market. From the dominance of social commerce to the evolution of hyper-personalised marketing at scale, these leaders will explore how successes in the Brazilian market are being exported to reshape global business models.

Speakers

Alana Sanches Pereira - Head Of Sales Strategy and New Business Development, Kwai (Kuaishou Technology)

Karla Godoy - COO, CESAR

Moderator

Plínio Almeida -  Reporter, TV Cabo Branco

16:10 – 16:30 | Panel

The future of gaming

Gaming in 2026 has transcended the screen. As the industry approaches a $300 billion market value, the focus has expanded to include not only better graphics, but brand partnerships, AI collaboration, custom production services to name a few. This session brings together visionaries at the intersection of development and hardware to explore Brazil's current landscape and growth potential.

Speakers

Marcelo Menezes - Regional Analytics & Marketing Insights Partner, Supercell

Augusto Santana - Senior Business Development Executive, Diorama Digital

Moderator

Rodrigo Carneiro - CFO, Abragames & CEO, Diorama Digital

16:30 – 17:00 | Closing Remarks

Speakers

João Azevêdo - Governor of Paraíba

17:00 – 18:00 | Closing Networking Cocktail