- Over 600 speakers and 1,000 startups gather at Web Summit Rio.
- Women lead 45% of the startups, highlighting gender progress in tech.
- Event emphasizes AI, climate change tech, and global connectivity.
The Web Summit Rio 2024 opened its doors on April 16 at the RioCentro Expo Center, marking its second iteration in Brazil’s renowned beach city. This four-day conference, dubbed the “Davos for Geeks,” assembles more than 600 thought leaders and 1,000 startups to discuss advancements in technology, particularly artificial intelligence and its applications in combating global challenges like climate change.
A significant highlight of this year’s summit is the substantial representation of women in technology; 45% of the startups present are founded or led by women, setting a new record for the event. The opening ceremony featured several female tech entrepreneurs from Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, and Uruguay, receiving a warm reception for their pioneering roles in the industry.
Artur Pereira, the conference director, emphasized the summit’s focus on leveraging technology to address critical issues such as fintech, human rights, and climate change. The event aims to strengthen Latin America’s tech scene by connecting local innovators with global industry giants like IBM and Salesforce. Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes expressed ambitions to mold Rio into a hub of innovation for Latin America, emphasizing the potential economic impact of the summit, which is expected to attract 40,000 attendees daily and generate approximately 33 million reais in economic activity.
