The delegation spent 10 days in Spain on a strategically designed agenda to connect technology-based companies with the Spanish ecosystem.

The Brazilian Impact Techs in Spain (BitS 2025) mission—part of the Brazilian Startups Worldwide (BSW) Program, conceived by the Espírito Santo Research and Innovation Support Foundation (Fapes) in partnership with the Capixaba Innovation Mobilization (MCI) and FindesLab—has concluded with concrete results in Spain. Over ten days, the delegation took part in business matchmaking sessions, visits to innovation hubs and ecosystems, mentoring activities, participation in Tech Show Madrid and the Smart City Expo Barcelona, as well as the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and international agreements. A highlight was the Espírito Santo–based startup GreenWay, supported by Fapes, which announced a strategic partnership with the Portuguese company Kod.bio.

The agreement was signed during the delegation’s activities in Europe and provides for the development of a Proof of Concept (PoC)—a pilot project aimed at validating and refining GreenWay’s technology in Europe, with implementation scheduled to begin in January 2026. The initial goal is to create a platform for validating and accelerating the startup’s technology in two or three cities in Portugal, demonstrating its environmental impact potential and international scalability.

Led by Israel Soares, GreenWay is an impact tech startup dedicated to developing sustainable solutions through microalgae biotechnology, with a focus on decarbonization and the circular economy. Kod.bio, led by entrepreneur Ricardo Costa, operates in the field of blue biotechnology, seeking to replace petrochemical products with bio-based alternatives.

For Soares, the outcome represents a decisive step in the startup’s internationalization process and reflects how believing in one’s work can open new pathways.

“This is one of the best results we could achieve in such a short time. This partnership reflects trust, purpose, and the certainty that we are leaving a positive legacy for the environment and future generations. Entrepreneurship is about believing. An entrepreneur needs to be a believer. If I doubted the business, he would notice—but I believe in it, and that is what makes others believe as well,” he said.

Enthusiastic about the agreement, Costa emphasized that beyond the companies themselves, alignment in entrepreneurial mindset is what truly matters.

“If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together. Solutions only materialize when people share the same purpose and vision. We will implement GreenWay’s technology in Europe, accelerate its development, and demonstrate that this solution can be replicated in other international markets,” he stated.

According to Elton Moura, Innovation Director at Fapes, the partnership between GreenWay and Kod.bio reinforces Fapes’ role as a driver of sustainable innovation and international cooperation, bringing Espírito Santo entrepreneurs closer to global ecosystems and generating concrete opportunities for technological development.

“This shows that we are on the right path. I believe the actions we are taking are the right ones, and there is still more to be done. We will evaluate and see what we can improve for future missions, but connections like this make us proud and bring recognition to the work we have been doing. Both Rodrigo (Varejão, Director General) and I have been in close dialogue with the scientific ecosystem of Espírito Santo, emphasizing the importance of internationalization,” he said.

Mission Begins in Madrid

The mission began in Madrid. Upon arrival in the Spanish capital, the delegation—comprising five startups from Espírito Santo (RefilMe, Infinite Foundry, iNeeds, GreenWay, and JADE)—held pitch sessions in which CEOs presented their solutions and value propositions to stakeholders. The agenda also included strategic institutional sessions, such as meetings with the Brazil–Spain Chamber of Commerce, and a presentation by the Brazilian Embassy in Madrid, which outlined the role of the Innovation Diplomacy Program (PDI)—reaffirming institutional support from Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and strengthening Brazil’s image as a technology- and innovation-driven country.

Still in Madrid, the delegation visited Tech Show Madrid, enabling participating impact techs to connect with the “heart” of European innovation. Spain’s leading technology event, the show brought together more than 400 exhibitors and focused on key areas of digital transformation, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, serving as a gateway to the innovation ecosystem of the Madrid region.

Brazilian Consul General Highlights Fapes in Barcelona

Following the engagements in Madrid, the delegation traveled to Barcelona. During an event hosted by the Brazil–Catalonia Chamber of Commerce to open the week of the Smart City Expo, the Consul General of Brazil in Barcelona, Pedro Henrique Lopes Borio, presented BitS 2025 and cited Fapes as an example of the type of partnerships the Brazilian government seeks to encourage through the Innovation Diplomacy Program (PDI).

Fapes Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Colombian Organization

At the Smart City Expo World Congress, Fapes signed a memorandum of understanding with the Corporation for Smart and Sustainable Territories (CTIS), a Colombian organization focused on developing strong communities through technology and collaboration to create sustainable regions. Fapes Innovation Director Elton Moura attended the meeting and explained the scope of the collaboration.

“We had the opportunity to establish a connection between the Government of Espírito Santo and Colombia. In our discussions, we agreed to pursue a partnership through our Fapes Global program, taking Espírito Santo startups to Colombia, providing financial support for them to establish and expand their businesses there. Likewise, Colombian startups will be encouraged to come to Brazil—specifically to Espírito Santo. That is our focus,” he explained.

How Does the BSW Program Work?

The Brazilian Startups Worldwide (BSW) Program supports startups in achieving international success across four verticals:

• Industry (IndTechs);

• Commerce and Retail (RetailTechs);

• Agribusiness (AgriFoodTechs);

• Impact Businesses (ImpactTechs).

Each mission takes place in a different country with an active innovation and technology ecosystem aligned with the selected vertical. “We are studying future destinations according to the vertical of each mission, always following the same model: participation in a major industry event, training sessions, networking, mentoring, connections with the local market, and cultural immersion,” explained Elton Moura.

The Fapes Innovation Director also emphasized that all missions receive support from the Brazilian Embassy: “In every mission, embassy representatives are with us. It is important to note that the BSW Program is directly linked to the Innovation Diplomacy Program (PDI) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose objective is to promote Brazil’s image as an innovative nation,” he concluded.

Press Information

Fapes Communications Office
Samantha Nepomuceno | Igor Gonçalves
+55 (27) 3636-1867 | +55 (27) 3636-1858
comunicacao@fapes.es.gov.br