LatAm Tech Weekly
#173 - Powered by Nasdaq: DeepSeek, DeepSeek, DeepSeek, M&A data, deals of the week... and much more!
Happy Sunday!
This week was a tough one for me on multiple fronts. My brain just wouldn’t slow down, and as a result, I barely slept. But this isn’t a journal entry, so I’ll spare you the details… The point is, from Thursday to Friday, I had one of the worst bouts of insomnia I can remember. No matter what I did, I couldn’t fall asleep.
People deal with insomnia in different ways, some stay in bed hoping sleep will eventually come, others pick up a book or turn on the TV. I decided to put the extra hours to good use. After seeing a flood of posts on social media about DeepSeek - many of them inaccurate or missing the real story, I figured I had to do something about it. So, I spent the night reading and listening to some great sources (check out the What am I reading section for details), then wrote a script and recorded a video covering what I thought actually mattered. In the early hours of the morning, after recording, I used AI tools to edit the video and published it Friday. And it took off!
I genuinely think I focused on the right themes and many of you seemed to agree. I did it in Portuguese because part of my frustration was that the Portuguese coverage wasn’t getting it right.
A huge thank you to everyone who watched, shared, and sent feedback! I think I need to do more of these… If you haven’t seen it yet, click here! Below you can find the first piece of it (PT only)
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Opinions expressed here are solely my own and does not represent those of people, institutions, organizations that I may or may not be associated with in any capacity, unless explicitly stated.
Over the past few days, the AI world has been buzzing with the launch of DeepSeek R1. This model has sent ripples through the industry, culminating in the DeepSeek app reportedly reaching #1 in global app store rankings. But is this real traction, or the result of bot farms artificially boosting downloads? Regardless, the excitement around R1 goes beyond app rankings—this is about a fundamental shift in how AI operates.
Let’s go beyond the headlines and explore what really matters: reasoning models, inference-time compute, and how these trends are reshaping AI development.
What Is DeepSeek and Why Does R1 Matter?
DeepSeek is an AI company specializing in distilling large, complex AI models into smaller, more efficient versions—while incorporating its own research breakthroughs. These models aim to retain much of the capability of their larger counterparts but with lower costs and faster performance.
R1 is DeepSeek’s latest creation: a reasoning model designed to excel at tasks requiring logical thought, problem-solving, and decision-making. Unlike traditional AI models, which rely on pattern recognition to generate responses, reasoning models actively think through problems, following a structured approach before arriving at conclusions.
The difference? Instead of instantly generating an answer based on training data, R1 breaks down the problem step by step, verifying its work along the way—much like a human would when solving a math problem. This distinction is critical, as it pushes AI beyond just retrieving information toward actual reasoning.
Cost & Efficiency: The "$10M Training Cost" Narrative
DeepSeek has stated that R1’s final training run cost less than $10 million. That sounds impressive, but it’s important to put that figure into context.
That number does not include:
The cost of previous failed experiments that led to R1.
Research and development expenses.
Data acquisition and preparation costs.
Capital expenditures on infrastructure.
To make a fair comparison, we should compare DeepSeek’s quoted number to the cost of a single successful training run for a model like OpenAI’s o1. The fully loaded cost of developing a model is much higher. That said, even if R1 wasn’t trained for just $10 million, it does signal a growing trend: AI models are becoming cheaper and more efficient to train—which means more competition and faster innovation.
The Real Shift: Reasoning Models and Inference-Time Compute
The real impact of R1 isn’t just about cost. It’s about how AI uses computing power.
Historically, most of AI’s compute power has been spent during training. Once a model was trained, running it (inference) was relatively cheap. But reasoning models like R1 flip that equation: they require significantly more compute at inference time because they actively process and verify information before generating a response.
This is known as inference-time compute—the computational power required for a model to reason through a problem after it has been trained.
Imagine asking an AI how many apples a farmer has left after selling some. A traditional model might immediately output an answer based on pattern recognition. But a reasoning model like R1:
Understands the question.
Identifies key variables (starting apples, sold apples).
Performs step-by-step calculations.
Checks its work for consistency.
Generates a polished response.
This "chain of thought" reasoning makes R1 and other similar models (like OpenAI’s o3 and Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking) significantly more compute-intensive during inference than older AI models. The more complex the task, the greater the computational demand.
The Nvidia Debate: Is Compute Demand Shifting?
For years, AI compute demand was driven by scaling up training. The common belief was: throw more compute at training, and models will improve. This led to massive investment in GPU infrastructure, primarily benefiting companies like Nvidia.
But as reasoning models gain traction, the debate is shifting. Instead of just increasing training compute, we are now seeing an explosion in inference-time compute demand. AI-powered applications like chatbots, autonomous agents, and real-time decision-making systems require continuous reasoning, making inference increasingly expensive.
This shift has sparked debate:
Are we reaching the limits of scaling laws for training?
Will inference compute eventually surpass training compute in cost and demand?
How will this impact companies like Nvidia, which dominate the AI hardware market?
Some argue that as AI efficiency improves, demand for training compute will slow. But even if that happens, the increasing demand for inference compute could more than offset it—driving a new wave of infrastructure investment.
Cheaper Models = More AI Experimentation
One of the most interesting consequences of smaller, cheaper AI models like R1 is that they lower the barriers to entry for AI development. When AI becomes more affordable:
More developers and startups experiment with AI.
More applications are built.
AI usage explodes.
And what does increased AI usage lead to? More inference-time compute demand.
Even if large-scale training slows, inference compute demand could skyrocket as AI becomes more integrated into daily applications. This could further drive competition in AI infrastructure, making compute availability a critical factor in the next phase of AI growth.
The Small vs. Large Model Debate
One of the biggest ongoing debates in AI is: Will the future be dominated by smaller, more efficient models, or will large, powerful models continue to lead?
Smaller models:
Are cheaper and faster to use.
Require less inference-time compute.
Are ideal for specific, domain-focused applications.
Larger models:
Are more powerful and accurate.
Handle highly complex tasks better.
Require significant compute resources, making them expensive to run.
The likely outcome? Both will coexist.
Just like in other industries, there is room for both “budget” options and “premium” choices. AI companies might develop smaller, distilled models for cost-sensitive applications while still maintaining large, state-of-the-art models for complex reasoning.
The Open-Source Pressure and Future of AI Labs
Another factor influencing this debate is the rise of open-source AI models. Meta’s Llama models applied pressure on proprietary AI companies. DeepSeek took it further with R1 and its other models.
This raises critical questions:
Will large AI labs stop releasing full models and instead focus on distilled versions?
Will AI companies shift from selling model access (via APIs) to selling products built around models?
Will closed-source models struggle unless they offer a clear advantage over open-source alternatives?
The future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: AI is becoming both more powerful and more accessible at the same time.
Final Thoughts
DeepSeek R1 isn’t just another AI model—it represents a shift toward smaller, reasoning-focused AI that fundamentally changes compute demand. The industry is now facing new questions:
How will the balance between training compute and inference compute evolve?
Will smaller, more efficient models take over, or will large models remain dominant?
What does this mean for AI infrastructure and the companies that supply it?
One thing is certain: the AI landscape is evolving rapidly. And as the pendulum swings between large and small models, the demand for compute is only going up—just in a different way than before.
Shifting gears to our traditional VC market landscape, this week Pitchbook released their Global M&A Report for 2024. Global M&A activity saw strong growth in 2024, driven by improving macroeconomic conditions and stabilizing valuations. North America led the charge, with deal value exceeding $2 trillion across 17,509 transactions (all sectors considered, not only tech), marking a 16.4% year-over-year (YoY) increase in value and a 9.8% rise in deal count.
The IT sector dominated global M&A, reaching $740.7 billion across 7,455 deals, with software companies remaining highly sought after due to high gross margins and defensible market positions. However, the final quarter saw a slowdown, partially driven by uncertainty surrounding the U.S. election.
B2B and B2C transactions posted strong annual growth in both deal count and value, despite a late-year deceleration. The energy sector, after multiple years of strong dealmaking, saw a slowdown, though cleantech remained a bright spot as acquirers sought opportunities in the energy transition. Meanwhile, financial services experienced a 43% YoY surge in deal value, fueled by large insurance acquisitions and continued consolidation among asset managers.
Looking ahead, M&A activity is expected to maintain its momentum into 2025. A potential public market rally may lift private multiples, particularly in technology, where strategic buyers remain aggressive in acquiring high-margin software assets.
General news:
Nvidia shares fell 7.5% in pre-market trading following concerns over China’s DeepSeek, whose low-cost AI assistant is disrupting chip and data center demand. DeepSeek’s app surpassed ChatGPT in ratings and downloads on the U.S. App Store, fueling fears in Silicon Valley. AMD and Micron also saw declines of 3.7% and 6.4%, respectively. Nvidia, recently crowned the most valuable U.S. company, now faces growing competitive pressures.
Peruvian edtech MINED World closed 2024 with 61% growth, expanding its presence across five Latin American countries. For 2025, it plans to launch a mobile app and introduce GV Copilot, an AI-driven educational tool, alongside CRM upgrades. Recognized globally for innovation, MINED is now targeting international expansion into Asia, Europe, and the U.S., while prioritizing transparency and operational excellence.
Brazil’s data protection agency (ANPD) banned Tools for Humanity from offering crypto rewards in exchange for iris scans, citing severe privacy risks and the lack of data deletion guarantees. The startup, tied to Sam Altman’s Worldcoin project, had drawn over 400,000 participants through its crypto incentives. The decision represents a major regulatory setback, adding to the global debate over AI and biometric data privacy.
São Paulo’s mototaxi regulation debate has highlighted legal uncertainties surrounding app-based services like Uber and 99. While the Supreme Court (STF) deliberates whether civil or labor laws should govern gig workers, tensions have escalated between city authorities and the Regional Labor Court (TRT-2). Experts warn that premature labor court involvement could deepen regulatory confusion, underscoring the urgent need for a clear legal framework in Brazil’s growing gig economy.
Dock has appointed Thiago Teixeira, former VP of Engineering at Zup, as its new CTO. Teixeira will lead Dock’s tech strategy, focusing on scaling its financial services platform across Latin America. With strong expertise in software architecture and team leadership, he aims to drive innovation in Dock’s payment and banking solutions.
Deals:
Growyx and 99hunters have merged to launch Hunterhero, an HRtech focused on active candidate sourcing via a SaaS headhunter model. The platform integrates Growyx’s AI with 99hunters’ network of 3,000 recruiters across 20+ countries, enabling companies to tap into passive talent pools. Hunterhero projects R$6M in revenue by 2025, targeting 85% growth, and already serves 460+ clients, including AB InBev and XP. With backing from Bossa Invest and Ventiur, it aims to revolutionize AI-driven recruitment.
General news:
Chilean startup Auttobots is democratizing automation by offering affordable RPA technology to small and medium businesses. With services 70% cheaper than competitors, it already serves clients in retail, telecom, health, and education. The company plans to raise $250K to expand operations and launch AI-powered automation agents by mid-2025, targeting 200% growth this year.
Advolve is revolutionizing digital marketing with Claude, an AI-powered ad platform that automates ad creation, deployment, and optimization at scale. The platform reduces operational workload by 90%, boosts return on ad spend (ROAS) by 15%, and aims for 10x revenue growth in 2025. Handling multi-million-dollar budgets, Advolve delivers human-level performance in just 30 days. Already trusted by iFood and Cogna, the company sees Claude as the backbone of its AI-driven adtech innovation.
FemTech MX, Latin America’s first FemTech association, is driving women’s health innovation in Mexico and beyond. Founded in 2024 by Mayra Hurtado and Jazna Stannard, the initiative aims to bridge healthcare gaps by fostering collaboration among startups, investors, and industry experts. With major events planned for 2025, FemTech MX is working to position Mexico as a global hub for female health innovation, tackling issues like reproductive health, menopause, and mental well-being.
The Bakery is expanding its global presence with a new office in Perth, Australia, targeting markets in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. CEO Marcone Siqueira highlights the region’s high-growth potential in mining, energy, and food industries, aligning with The Bakery’s expertise in innovation solutions. With a footprint in over 20 countries, the company plans to replicate its success in Brazil and the UK while making Australia a key strategic priority.
OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Gov, its largest release since ChatGPT Enterprise, designed for U.S. government agencies. Built with enhanced security, the tool enables agencies to handle sensitive data within Microsoft Azure's secure cloud environments. Over 90,000 federal, state, and local employees have already used ChatGPT for tasks like policy drafting, code generation, and document translation. While promising, concerns remain over privacy and potential AI misuse.
Nvidia shares rebounded 6.56% on Tuesday, closing at $126, as investors reacted positively to clarifications on Chinese startup DeepSeek's AI model. Nvidia reassured the market that DeepSeek still relies heavily on Nvidia GPUs, easing concerns after Monday’s 17% sell-off. Analysts view the previous drop as exaggerated, though caution remains. Morgan Stanley adjusted its price target to $152, while Itaú BBA sees this as a buying opportunity, with a $164 target.
Elon Musk’s X platform has partnered with Visa to launch X Money Account, a new digital wallet set for release in 2025. The wallet will allow users to link debit cards, enable peer-to-peer transactions, and transfer funds between bank accounts. This is a major step in Musk’s vision to transform X into a super app, competing with Venmo and Apple Pay. X’s payment service is already licensed to operate in 41 U.S. jurisdictions, with more announcements expected soon.
Open Finance in Brazil celebrates its 4th anniversary, reaching over 40 million clients and 60 million active consents. Consent-sharing grew 48% YoY, driven by fintechs and neobanks like Nubank and Mercado Pago, which dominate data transmission and reception. With larger institutions joining, Open Finance is expected to expand governance and data quality, further cementing its role in Brazil’s financial ecosystem.
Deals:
Itaú Unibanco has invested $15 million in NeoSpace, a GenAI startup transforming CRM with advanced AI models. Founded by Zup’s creators, NeoSpace focuses on predictive apps and credit analysis. With $18 million raised, including support from General Atlantic’s Martín Escobari, NeoSpace plans global expansion. Itaú gains exclusive rights to its AI-powered conversational CRM solution for 12 months.
Sorenson, a U.S.-based leader in communication tools for the deaf, has acquired Brazil’s Hand Talk, a startup known for its AI-powered sign language translation. Hand Talk, recognized by the UN and IDB, will continue under its founders' leadership, focusing on expanding its global accessibility mission.
Maurício Quadrado has acquired 100% of Digimais bank, planning to inject R$ 800M into the business. The goal is to integrate it into BlueBank, his new financial group, and create a full-service bank focusing on niche markets. The deal is awaiting Central Bank approval.
General News:
Alibaba is intensifying competition in the AI race, claiming that its Qwen 2.5-Max model outperforms GPT-4o, DeepSeek-V3, and Llama-3.1-405B. With over 40 million downloads of its open-source models, Alibaba is positioning itself as a major AI infrastructure player, reinforcing a heated battle in the global AI landscape.
Microsoft and OpenAI are investigating whether a group linked to China’s DeepSeek illegally accessed OpenAI’s data via its API. Security researchers flagged unusual activity last year, raising concerns over data breaches and competitive intelligence risks. The probe comes amid DeepSeek’s rapid ascent as a major AI player.
Fluke is shifting focus to the B2B sector, aiming to double revenue by 2025. The company plans to expand market presence and refine product offerings to meet growing industrial demand. With an emphasis on innovation and stronger customer relationships, Fluke is repositioning itself for sustained long-term growth.
Blik, a Chilean startup disrupting the Bluetooth speaker market, is expanding across Latin America. In just four years, the company sold 180,000 units, generating $2 million in revenue in 2020. Now expanding into Peru and beyond, Blik leverages Chinese manufacturing and multi-speaker innovations like PartyBoost. With 900+ sales points in Chile and distribution in Fiji and Samoa, Blik aims for regional dominance in the audio market.
Wellness Technologies, a Chilean biotech startup, is bringing its probiotic Lacte 5 to the global market. Developed with Universidad de Concepción, the product features LPM01, a probiotic strain derived from breast milk that enhances gut and immune health. Founder María Loreto Ormeño, inspired by personal experience, turned cutting-edge science into an accessible health solution. With international awards and expansion into Europe and Asia, Lacte 5 is at the forefront of functional food innovation.
Deals:
Itaú Unibanco has invested in Kanastra, a fintech providing back-office services for funds and securitized products. Already managing over R$ 15 billion in assets, Kanastra previously raised R$ 110 million in a Series A round. Itaú, previously a client, now joins its cap table through its CVC arm. The investment highlights Itaú’s confidence in Kanastra’s tech-driven approach to structured funds and securitization.
Turbi, a fully digital car rental startup, has raised R$ 72 million in a Series D round and reached breakeven in December. Now shifting to a 100% owned fleet, the company operates over 5,000 vehicles and has secured R$ 250 million via debentures. Turbi is now seeking an additional R$ 1 billion for expansion, with strong backing from DOMO and ARC Capital. The company is doubling down on technology, dynamic pricing, and used car sales, with the goal of becoming Brazil’s fourth-largest car rental firm.
Moove, a Nigerian fintech backed by Uber, has acquired Brazilian mobility startup Kovi to accelerate its Latin American expansion. Now present in 19 cities across six continents, Moove’s fleet surpasses 36,000 vehicles, pushing its potential revenue past $275 million. The deal brings Kovi’s data-driven fleet management and AI-powered safety tech into Moove’s portfolio. Investors also gain the option to migrate into Moove, positioning the company for a future IPO.
Stone has put Linx up for sale, with Totvs, Constellation, and Nayax advancing to the next round of negotiations. The bids range from R$ 3 billion to R$ 4.25 billion, well below the R$ 6.7 billion Stone originally paid in 2020. Insiders suggest that Constellation is the frontrunner due to its financial strength, while Nayax, which acquired VMTecnologia for R$ 110 million in March, has also been eyeing the Brazilian market.
Solfium, a Canadian-founded solar energy startup, secured investment from Wayra Hispam, the venture arm of Telefónica Movistar. With $4.2 million raised in its pre-Series A round, Solfium connects corporates with solar solutions and has gained recognition, earning a spot in Forbes Mexico’s "30 Business Promises 2024". The startup, which serves clients like Coca-Cola and Santander, is scaling its decarbonization efforts across Latin America.
General news:
Startup funding in Latin America surged 23.5% in 2024, reaching $4.27 billion, marking a strong rebound after two years of decline. AI, fintech, and energy startups led the way, with Brazil securing $2.3 billion, followed by Mexico and Colombia. Mega-rounds and renewed VC confidence signal an optimistic outlook for 2025.
São Paulo’s startup scene continues to dominate Brazil’s innovation landscape, attracting 81% of the country’s startup investments. With over 1,670 startups, the city leads in technology, healthcare, and education, making it the only Latin American city in the global top 30 startup ecosystems. However, challenges remain in diversity and inclusion, with women and minorities underrepresented in leadership roles.
QuintoAndar has launched AI-powered property search and pricing tools, initially in São Paulo. The generative AI search allows users to describe features like "bright living room with wooden floors", while the QPreço calculator helps owners price rentals and sales based on real market data. The company plans further AI investments but has no immediate fundraising plans.
Oria Capital has won a corporate dispute and is now focused on raising its fourth investment fund. The arbitration, initiated by ex-partner Fabiana Cid de Andrade, ended in favor of Oria's founders, confirming the legal ownership changes. The firm is now raising between $50 million and $100 million, with $30 million expected in April’s first closing.
Brasscom met with Brazilian government officials to advocate for data center expansion, highlighting their role in digital transformation, economic growth, and global competitiveness. Discussions covered Brazil’s potential as a global data hub, sustainability efforts, and the Brasil Digital 2030+ strategy. The group was also invited to a key AI and climate seminar ahead of COP 30, reinforcing the importance of digital infrastructure for national innovation.
Bikleta, an Argentine startup, is building a cycling ecosystem through its app, offering benefits, discounts, and geolocation services. The platform connects cyclists with businesses catering to their needs, fostering a sustainable cycling culture. Bikleta aims to expand across Latin America, strengthening its community-driven approach to urban mobility.
São Paulo continues iris scan collection for biometric identification, raising privacy and data security concerns. Experts warn about lack of transparency, unclear regulations, and potential misuse of biometric data. While authorities claim the program enhances public safety, critics argue Brazil lacks clear legal protections for sensitive biometric information.
Google for Startups has unveiled the new cohort for its AI Academy, supporting early-stage AI startups across Latin America. Participants will receive mentorship, technical resources, and networking opportunities, reflecting Google's commitment to expanding the region’s AI ecosystem.
Mutant has appointed Solange Carvalho as Performance Senior Director, reinforcing its strategic expansion. With over 30 years of experience at Oracle, HP, IBM, and Accenture, Carvalho will focus on trust, transparency, and performance. As Mutant expands across 13 countries, this leadership change highlights its commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions.
GuruMatch, dubbed the "Tinder of education", is revolutionizing mentorship for students by using AI and data-driven matchmaking. The platform connects learners with mentors aligned with their career goals, offering personalized academic and professional guidance.
Deals:
Beauty for All (B4A) secured R$ 15 million in funding, with R$ 10 million from the media-for-equity fund 4Equity to enhance influencer and media partnerships. An additional R$ 5 million was raised via Mercado Bitcoin token issuance. CEO Jan Riehle targets 30% growth in 2024 and 50% in 2025, focusing on B2C and influencer-driven platforms like Glam and Bfluence.
Tenable has announced the acquisition of Vulcan Cyber for $147 million in cash and $3 million in stock, enhancing its exposure management platform. The deal aims to integrate data flows and risk prioritization, with completion expected in Q1 2025. This marks Tenable’s eighth acquisition since its 2018 IPO.
Leste Group acquired a minority stake in Billor, a truck fleet management fintech, while also providing a $335 million credit line for fleet expansion. Founded in Orlando by Brazilian entrepreneur Jardel Cardoso, Billor integrates AI-driven freight management and financing solutions. The company aims to grow from 245 to 800 trucks by 2025, targeting a U.S. IPO by 2028, with projected revenue of $1.5 billion.
General news:
Braskem has officially shut down its CVC arm, Oxygea, to optimize capital allocation and refocus on its core petrochemical business. Launched in 2023 with a $150 million fund, Oxygea backed eight startups before its closure. The decision aligns with cost-cutting measures under CEO Roberto Prisco Paraíso Ramos and ongoing speculation about a potential company sale.
Brazilian benefits startups like Caju, Flash, and Swile are pushing back against government proposals to change the PAT corporate benefits program. They argue that the reforms, which introduce portability between providers, won’t reduce food inflation and could increase costs. While Sodexo and other incumbents defend their closed networks, fintechs advocate for open ecosystems and the elimination of rebate practices. The debate highlights growing tensions between traditional players and digital challengers in Brazil’s corporate benefits sector.
Master Holding is injecting R$ 2 billion into Banco Master to expand its retail banking operations, focusing on Credcesta and Will Bank. The investment aims to broaden financial services and expand geographic reach, with Banco Master now serving 10.5 million customers. Additionally, the bank has relocated its headquarters to a 13-story tower in São Paulo’s Faria Lima district.
Apple posted a 4% revenue increase to $124.3 billion, but Itaú BBA remains cautious, citing weak iPhone sales and an 11% decline in China. Analysts described Apple’s quarterly results as "deceiving", questioning whether the market still justifies Apple’s premium valuation given slower innovation compared to rivals.
El Salvador has revoked Bitcoin’s status as an official currency, making its use optional. The move follows IMF pressure and facilitates a $1.4 billion loan deal. Businesses and citizens are no longer required to accept Bitcoin, and crypto tax payments are now prohibited. However, the government continues to hold Bitcoin reserves, maintaining a balanced stance between financial stability and crypto adoption.
Wefarm, a Chilean agtech startup, is pioneering vertical farming in San Pedro de Atacama, one of the world’s driest regions. Their high-tech farming system enables year-round vegetable production, reducing dependency on imports and environmental impact. The initiative supports sustainability efforts at local hotels while advancing food security across Chile’s extreme climates.
WhatsApp revealed that the spyware company Paragon has been tracking users in multiple countries, violating WhatsApp’s privacy policies. Paragon allegedly exploited vulnerabilities to monitor private messages, raising concerns over illegal surveillance practices. WhatsApp is pursuing legal action and calling for stronger regulations against spyware companies.
Deals:
Cycles Nutrition, a supplement brand launched by nutritionist-influencer Luciano Bruno, has secured R$ 15 million from Headline Ventures. The company offers creatine, whey protein, and omega-3 supplements and aims to tap into Brazil’s R$ 20 billion supplement market. XP founder Guilherme Benchimol facilitated the deal, with Bruno’s 1.5 million Instagram followers serving as the primary customer acquisition channel.
I have asked you again on LinkedIn what tech events do you suggest for this year, here is a selection of your responses curated by me for the first half of the year. If you want to see the full list click here.
AI Salon - Rio de Janeiro
Dates: February 4
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Description: Inaugural AI Salon in Rio de Janeiro, part of a global network connecting AI founders, builders, investors, and partners. AI Salon is your gateway to innovation, collaboration, and growth within the AI ecosystem.
AI Salon was created by Jeff Abbott, founding partner at Blitzcaling Ventures in Silicon Valley, and is now present in 37 cities worldwide; our community has hosted over 3,300 participants and supported 190+ startups.
SXSW (South by Southwest)
Dates: March 7-15
Location: Austin, Texas
Description: South by Southwest® dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW® is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture
South Summit
Dates: April 9-11
Location: Porto Alegre, Brazil
Overview: South Summit Brasil is one of the main innovation and technology events in Latin America, bringing together startups, investors, companies and global leaders to foster connections and explore business opportunities. Held annually in Porto Alegre, the event is an extension of the original South Summit, started in Madrid, and highlights the potential of the Brazilian and Latin American innovation ecosystem. With a program that includes lectures, panels and startup competitions, South Summit Brasil promotes the exchange of ideas, drives innovation and puts Brazil on the global technology map.
Brazil at Silicon Valley
Date: April 21-23
Location: Sunnyvale, California
Overview: Brazil at Silicon Valley is an annual conference organized by Brazilian students from Stanford and Berkeley universities, with the aim of connecting the most influential Brazilian leaders and Silicon Valley. Held in California, the event brings together entrepreneurs, investors and academics to discuss the future of innovation and development in Brazil, addressing topics such as technology, sustainability and digital transformation, promoting dialogue between the Brazilian ecosystem and global trends.
INVITE ONLY
Latin American Forum by Riverwood
Dates: April 24-25
Location: Miami
Description: off the record gathering with the main stakeholders, founders, and service providers of the tech ecosystem in Latin America, organized by Riverwood.
INVITE ONLY
Web Summit Rio
Date: April 27-30
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Web Summit Rio is the Brazilian edition of one of the largest global technology and innovation events, known for bringing together startups, investors, company leaders and sector enthusiasts. With a program that includes lectures from renowned experts, panels on emerging trends and networking opportunities, Web Summit Rio has established itself as a strategic space to boost ideas, promote partnerships and connect the global innovation ecosystem.
Itau BBA Fifth Annual Tech Summit
Date: May 13
Location: New York
Description: An afternoon in New York with the main founders & funders of LatAm with panels and 1:1 sessions.
INVITE ONLY
APIX
Date: May 15
Location: São Paulo
Description: Over the last decade, APIX has become one of the most anticipated global events focused on APIs and Integrations and its role on business strategies. A dynamic day filled with knowledge sharing and networking for professionals seeking new connections, global trends, partnership opportunities, and valuable technical and business insights regarding Open Finance, Partner Ecosystems, Legacy Modernization and Digital Experiences.
MORE INFO SOON!!!
VTEX Day
Date: June 2-3
Location: São Paulo
Description: Considered one of the largest digital commerce events in the world, VTEX Day brings together big names in retail, including customers, suppliers and influencers, in an environment dedicated to innovation and knowledge. The event is an opportunity to explore solutions, discuss trends, strengthen connections and gain valuable insights to boost business.
FEBRABAN Tech
Date: June 10-12
Location: São Paulo
Description: FEBRABAN Tech is a fundamental event for the financial sector, bringing together banks, fintechs, financial institutions and experts to debate the innovations that are shaping the future of the market. Held annually by the Brazilian Federation of Banks (FEBRABAN), the event reached a record of 55 thousand visitors in 2024.
Others: Canary Summit 2025, H4Results 2025, AI Health Frontiers at Cubo (Sao Paulo), 16 events by StartSe, DeepTech Days (March), Argentina Tech Week (May)
Clouded Judgment (Bonus): Inference Time Compute
Wired: Exposed DeepSeek Database Revealed Text Prompt & Internal Data
VC Corner: The AI Disruption No One Saw Coming
Trend Override by Leonardo Dawaji: Searching… Seek & Destroy
The Fall of Diddy - you all know I’m a hip hop fan :)
Acquired: TSMC Founder Morris Chang
"DeepSeek's r1 is an impressive model, particularly around what they're able to deliver for the price. But mostly we are excited to continue to execute on our research roadmap and believe more compute is more important now than ever before to succeed at our mission,"
Sam Altman, Founder OpenAI