Web Summit Rio, Latin American franchise of global tech and innovation, wrapped up Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, breaking attendance records for the third consecutive year.
The event brought together thousands of attendees looking to connect, learn and stay ahead with the latest digital technology advances and innovations since its launch in 2023.
This year's four-day edition brought a record of nearly 35,000 attendees from over 100 countries and regions, along with about 1,400 startups and over 600 investors.
Artur Pereira, the summit's manager, credits the jump in attendance to the 106 million U.S. dollars in investment for the top 40 startups raised in 2024, about 2.3 million dollars each.
“Startups know that [if] they want to get funded, [if] they want to do business, [if] they want to meet the biggest tech companies in the world, they [need to] come to Web Summit,” Pereira said.
Embraer, a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil and one of the summit's main exhibitors and investors, held what it called a "startup marathon" in its search for partnerships. With a strong global market presence in commercial, executive, and defense aviation, the company also used the event to highlight how innovation remains central to its growth strategy.
"If we don't apply Artificial Intelligence, if we don't apply new technology to our products, if we don't offer these things to clients who are seeking certain profit margins, we lose our competitivity. So, innovation is not a choice. It is a necessity, and it has always been that way with Embraer,” said Leonardo Garnica, head of corporate innovation of Embraer.
While serious networking and deal-making were the main focus of the summit, there were also lighter sides to the event, for example, a digital rainforest experience, or stepping on the gas in a virtual 3D formula-one driver experience offered by racing giant McLaren.
The event has been extended in the same venue for another five years, until 2030.
Web Summit Rio concludes with record-high attendence
Iran has rejected a U.S.-proposed 15-point peace plan, calling instead for a permanent end to the conflict, the official news agency IRNA reported on Monday.
Iran delivered its response via Pakistan in a 10-point document, citing past experiences as the reason it would not accept a ceasefire.
The response outlines Iran's demands, including ending regional conflicts, establishing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, reconstructing war-affected areas, and lifting international sanctions.
IRNA claimed the text was presented following recent developments in Iran's western and central regions and the unsuccessful outcome of a U.S. helicopter operation, with U.S. President Donald Trump extending a previously set deadline again and adjusting earlier threats.
In a press conference on Monday, Trump called Iran's 10-point response a "significant step" but said it was "not good enough."
Meanwhile, Trump said that the Tuesday deadline he has set for Iran to make a deal is final.
Also on Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that Iran will present its position based on its national interests, security, and the legitimate demands of the Iranian people.
In late March, U.S. media reported that Washington sent a 15-point plan to Iran through Pakistan to try to end the war. Iran later rejected the plan, calling it "excessive and disconnected from the realities on the battlefield."
The Islamic Republic set several preconditions for peace. These include ending U.S. and Israeli aggression, creating mechanisms to prevent future attacks, compensating for war damage, stopping fighting across all fronts in West Asia, and recognizing Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
Since Feb 28, Israel and the United States have been jointly attacking Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran continues to respond by launching missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East.
Iran rejects U.S. ceasefire offer, issues 10-point plan calling for permanent end to war
