The State Government, through Fapes, partners with Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the BSW Program.

The third day of the Brazilian Retail Techs in Argentina (BretA) mission, promoted by the Espírito Santo Research and Innovation Support Foundation (Fapes) in partnership with Fecomércio-ES, was marked by pitch presentations from Espírito Santo-based tech companies at the headquarters of the Brazilian Embassy in Argentina.

The 11 startups participating in the mission — 10 of them from Espírito Santo — presented their retail solutions to Argentine companies with support from the Embassy. The meeting was organized by Bcome Global in partnership with the Innovation Diplomacy Program (PDI) of Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The BretA mission is part of the PDI Program, created in 2017 based on three pillars. The first is to promote Brazil as an innovative nation. The second is to strengthen the integration of Brazil’s innovation ecosystems with those of other countries. And the third is to encourage the internationalization of Brazilian companies. The BretA mission brings together exactly these three objectives,” explained Ernesto Mané Jr., head of the Science, Technology and Innovation Promotion Sector (SECTEC) at the Brazilian Embassy in Argentina.

“We have been together since the very beginning: in the development of the project, the publication of the call for applications, the selection of companies, the training sessions, the support with contacts here in Argentina, the construction of the agenda, and now these pitch presentations. Seeing all of this become reality fills us with pride and joy,” he added.

For Elton Moura, Fapes’ Director of Innovation, the partnership between the Foundation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strengthens the internationalization strategy for Brazilian startups.

“Through the BSW [Brazilian Startups Worldwide] and Fapes Global programs, Fapes found in the PDI Program a partner that shares the same goal: taking Brazilian innovation to the world. This partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been essential to the success of our international initiatives. Since the first mission, BiG [Brazilian Indtechs in Germany], in 2023, we have relied on embassy support to open doors and create connections for Brazilian and Espírito Santo-based startups,” Moura highlighted.

Minas Gerais Startup Based in Espírito Santo Presents Innovative Solution for Bars and Restaurants at the Brazilian Embassy in Argentina

Leandro Rodrigues, CEO and CIO of Checkbits — a tech company that ensures standardization and compliance with operational routines in bars and restaurants through digital checklists with photographic evidence and geolocation, eliminating failures that compromise profitability — presented his pitch at the Brazilian Embassy.

“Everything has been extremely important for us because we are not only seeking to validate our solution, but we are also building real connections with potential partners and clients, and that has been incredibly valuable. Here at the Embassy, we also had the opportunity to meet startups from Argentina,” commented Leandro Rodrigues.

According to him, Fapes’ support during the mission has been fundamental.

“We know that startups need funding and support in order to validate their products at any stage, whether in the solution phase or market phase. Without Fapes, we would not have been able to be here experiencing all of this. These are connections that might otherwise take years to establish, and everything is happening within just a few days.”

Secti Delivers Books on Public Administration to the Head of SECTEC at the Brazilian Embassy in Argentina

The Secretariat for Science, Technology, Innovation and Professional Education (Secti) is also part of the Espírito Santo delegation on the BretA mission. Juão Vitor Silva, advisor to Secti, is accompanying the entire agenda and took the opportunity during the visit to the Brazilian Embassy to deliver books to the head of SECTEC that showcase the actions and results of Espírito Santo’s state administration.

“Through publications from the UniversidadES system publishing house — a partnership between Secti and Fapes — we were able to present part of Espírito Santo’s public management experience here at the Brazilian Embassy in Argentina. The mission also strengthens the connection between Brazilian and Argentine companies through the BSW and Fapes Global programs. Beyond expanding these partnerships, it is an opportunity to present Espírito Santo, its fiscal stability, social responsibility, and all the work the State Government has developed in recent years,” the advisor stated.

What is BretA 2026?

BretA 2026 is part of Brazilian Startups Worldwide (BSW), an internationalization program created by Fapes. The mission is promoted by the Foundation in partnership with Fecomércio Espírito Santo, Bcome.global, Sebrae, the Innovation Diplomacy Program (PDI) of Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mobilização Capixaba pela Inovação (MCI). Its main objective is to establish lasting connections between Brazilian retail tech companies and Argentina’s innovation ecosystem.

Press Information:

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