At the opening of Rio Innovation Week, City Hall announces another stage of Sandbox.Rio and the start of the Desafio Rio project

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes announced two important innovation-focused projects this Tuesday (August 12th) during the opening ceremony of Rio Innovation Week at Pier Mauá: another phase of Sandbox.Rio and the launch of Desafio Rio. The first is a pioneering experimental regulatory environment program that allows for the testing of innovative solutions with temporary relaxation of municipal regulations. The second is a pilot program for public procurement of innovation and technology solutions.

"I have two important announcements that perfectly represent what the City Hall has done to foster innovation and technological development in the city. We are launching the third cycle of SandBox.Rio, an internationally awarded project that allows companies to develop and test innovative technologies, relaxing municipal regulations. Those selected will be able to freely test their solutions in partnership with the City Hall. And the second announcement is Desafio Rio, in which the City Hall will become an angel investor in innovative projects that improve municipal public services. This is a set of investments that will allow the City Hall to act as a true catalyst and accelerator of innovative solutions. All these initiatives have one thing in common: we want to place Rio at the center of the global technology path toward a sustainable and inclusive digital future, with a constant focus on improving the lives of the population," stated Mayor Eduardo Paes.

At Sandbox.Rio, led by the Secretariat of Economic Development, companies interested in testing their innovations in the city, in partnership with the municipality, have until September 14th to register. In this third cycle, the City of Rio encourages innovation testing in different areas of the city. To this end, up to ten additional points will be applied in the evaluation of projects focused on communities and peripheral territories in Planning Areas 1, 3, 4.1, and 5, which include locations such as Downtown Rio, Complexo do Alemão, Maré, Cidade de Deus, Campo Grande, and Santa Cruz, representing a milestone in the democratization of urban innovation.

In Desafio Rio, the Department of Science and Technology will, for the first time, contract the development of innovative solutions to improve city services. Through the Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions (CPSI) instrument, each proposal will be eligible for incentives to develop a functional prototype that, if tested and validated, can be supplied to the city.

Rio Innovation Week

The 2025 edition of Rio Innovation Week, Latin America's largest technology, business, and creativity event, began this Tuesday and runs through Friday (August 15). The event features the Rio Climate Arena, designed by Riotur and the Secretariat of Economic Development at Armazém 8, featuring a program that combines tourism, business, culture, sustainability, and innovation. It is open to all accredited participants, with no specific registration required for the debates.

Rio Innovation Week brings together transformative initiatives that shape the future of cities and the market. Over the course of four days, the City Hall arena will host 32 panels featuring approximately 70 speakers, promoting debates on topics fundamental to Rio's development. Featured topics include AI, business tourism, Afrotourism, sporting and cultural events, smart cities, creativity, sustainability, destination marketing, the economy, inclusion, LGBTQIAPN+ tourism, public policy, and the use of data in tourism planning.

Among the confirmed names are Osmar Lima (Municipal Secretary of Economic Development); Isabel Gimenes (CEO of RIOinclui, a civil, philanthropic and non-profit association whose honorary president is the city's first lady, Cristine Paes, and whose target audience is people with disabilities and their families); Anna Aneliza Lima (CFO Lev Bicicletas); Carlos Galvão (Ironman Brasil); Chris Garman and Clayton Allen (Eurasia Group); Luiz Antonio Simas (historian); Duda Magalhães (Dream Factory); Chicão Bulhões (PRIO), among other representatives from the public and private sectors.

In this edition of Rio Innovation Week, Riotur launches the "In the Mood of Rio" campaign, a new institutional communication strategy that aims to position and consolidate Rio as a globally prepared city, with cutting-edge infrastructure to welcome both national and international tourists, as well as the locals themselves. The campaign brings together ten essential pillars of the city experience: lifestyle, music, gastronomy, sports, adventure, nature, business, events, entertainment, and investment, with the goal of promoting the Rio brand in an integrated and contemporary way, valuing its diversity, economic, and cultural vocations.

Participation in Rio Innovation Week is part of the City Hall's efforts to consolidate Rio as a global reference in smart, sustainable and creative tourism, with actions that bring together public authorities, the private sector and civil society.

 

Rio Innovation Week 2025 Service

When: August 12-15
Where: Pier Mauá- Rio de Janeiro- Brazil – Rodrigues Alves Avenue, 10 – Mauá Square
Tickets: Sympla

 

Arena Programming at Rio's Climate

Day 1: In the Mood for Transformation: Sustainable, Inclusive and Smart Rio (12/8)

11:15 – 11:45
Theme: In the Climate of Rio: Tourism, Business and Soft Power as Pillars of Economic Transformation
Osmar Lima – Municipal Secretary of Economic Development | Rio City Hall

12:00 – 13:00
Theme: Rio for All: Diversity, Inclusion, Pride and Tourism as Tools for Transformation
Diana Conrado – Sexual Diversity Coordinator | Rio City Hall
Isabel Gimenes – CEO | RIOinclui
Jessica Oliveira – Paralympic swimmer, speaker and author
Mediator: Jonas Queirós – global partnerships coordinator | Riotur

14:00 – 14:45
Theme: Smart Mobility: Technological Solutions for Urban Flow in Rio de Janeiro
Maína Celidonio – Municipal Secretary of Transportation | Rio City Hall
Cláudia Secin – CEO | Mobi-Rio
Luiz Eduardo da Silva – CEO | CET Rio
Gustavo Guerrante – Municipal Secretary of Urban Development | Rio City Hall
Mediator: Jonas Queirós – global partnerships coordinator | Riotur

15:00 – 16:00
Theme: Smart Cities, Safe Cities: Climate Resilience, Urban Surveillance and Risk Prevention
Marcus Belchior – former chief executive of the Operations Center (COR) and municipal secretary of Public Order | Rio City Hall
Davi Carreiro – Chief Executive of CIVITAS | Rio City Hall
Raquel Flexa – Undersecretary of Digital Transformation and Smart Cities | Rio City Hall

16:15 – 17:15
Theme: Afrotourism: History, Identity and Economic Potential in Rio
Dom Filó – CEO | Cultne TV
Emily Borges – Executive and Commercial Director | Etnias Turismo e Cultura
Thais Rosa – CEO | Connecting Territories
Valdemar Cândido – tour guide | Pretos Novos Institute

17:30 – 18:30
Theme: Waste Management: Innovation for a Circular Economy in Rio
Manoel Tabet – Director of the Data Monitoring and Processing Office (SMDE) | Rio City Hall
Diego Carbonell – Sustainability Director | LigaRJ
Alexandre Campos – Director of Urban Cleaning | Comlurb
Gabriella Rodrigues – Municipal Secretary of Youth | Rio City Hall

18:45 – 19:45
Theme: Rio Mais Verde: Sustainable Urbanism and Tourism in the Marvelous City
Heitor Kadri – Director of the Regional Office for the Americas | UN Tourism
Anna Luiza de Sá – Procurement and ESG Specialist | LEV
Flavio Teixeira – architect, urban planner and Director of Operations | Riotur
Caroline Melo Bottino – Assistant Professor | Department of Tourism | UERJ

Day 2: In the Mood for High Performance: Rio of Sports, Technology and Culture (August 13)

10:30 – 11:30
Theme: From the Screen to the Podium: Technology, Training and esports in the Olympic Movement
Alef Pires – President | Flamengo E-sports
Eudinho Filho – Operational Director | W7M Esports
Moderator: Chandy Teixeira – Chief Executive of Games and E-sports | Rio City Hall

11:45 – 12:45
Theme: Content Tourism: Rio as a Global Setting for Influencers and Travelers
Carlos Velazco and Natalia Cuneo – influencers | @rioparaargentinos
Vanessa Guimarães – journalist and influencer | @girodacarioca
Mediator: Daniela Maia – Municipal Secretary of Tourism | Rio City Hall

13:00 – 14:00
Theme: Women, Sexism and Racism in Science – How to Build a Truly Neutral Zone?
Raquel Isidoro – researcher | IPPUR
Deise Luci Motta – Academic Coordinator | Carlos Chagas Institute of Health Sciences
Nathália Rocha Barros Costa – director | PRÁXIS
Moderator: Flor Jacq – journalist, popular feminist, former coordinator of the Alerj Commission to Combat Discrimination and co-founder of the Métis Women's Action Forum

14:15 – 15:15
Theme: Sport as a City Strategy: Tourism, Branding and Major Events in Rio
Carlos Galvão – CEO & Owner | Unlimited Sports
Duda Magalhães – President | Dream Factory
Gustavo Oliveira – Director of Operations | IMM
Mediator: Jonas Queirós

15:30 – 16:30
Theme: Smart City, Ethical Management: The Rio of the Future with AI and Transparency
Daniel Barros – CEO | Maravalley
Gabriel Toledo – Undersecretary of Training and Technological Projects (SMCT) | Rio City Hall
Rodrigo Correa – Municipal Secretary of Integrity and Security | Rio City Hall
Moderator: João Marcelo Ferraz – Lead UX Consultant | FINEP/Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation

16:45 – 17:45
Theme: Rio in Scene: The City as a Setting for Films and Soap Operas
Daniel Celli – Rio Film Commission coordinator | RioFilme
Leo Edde – CEO | RioFilme
Mediator: Francisco Malta – executive producer and director | Ágora Films and Artistic Productions

18:00 – 19:00
Theme: Sandbox.Rio: how to safely test innovation in public spaces?
Gustavo Tannure – CEO | Ezvolt
Stela Porto – Associate Attorney | Souto Correa Lawyers
Guilherme Rajzman – CEO | Wali
Gabriel Tenenbaum – Director of Implementation for Latin America | C40
Mediator: Carina Quirino – Undersecretary of Regulation and Business Environment (SMDE) | Rio City Hall

Day 3: In the Mood for Innovation: River of Global Connections (August 14)

10:30 – 11:00
Theme: Broadcast | Revolution by the Sea: The Future of Capital Markets with Base Exchange
Karla Spotorno – editor | Broadcast
Claudio Pracownik – CEO | Flowa Technologies and Base Exchange

11:15 – 11:45
Theme: Broadcast | Digital Shielding: Protecting the financial market in the age of disruption
Karla Spotorno – editor | Broadcast
Antonio Gesteira – Senior Executive Director | FTI Consulting
Victor Fonseca – Director of AI and Technology Transformation

12:00 – 12:30
Theme: Broadcast | Portfolio 4.0: Innovations that redefine investment funds
Karla Spotorno – editor | Broadcast
José Alexandre Costa de Freitas – partner and CEO | Oliveira Trust
Denis Piovezan – CEO | Broadcast
Reinaldo Le Grazie – partner | Panamby Capital
Carlos Eduardo Rocha – CEO | Occam Resource Management

12:45 – 13:45
Theme: Transparency in Context 5.0: Innovation and Social Control for the Future
Fernando Ivo Cavalcante – Vice President | Iplan Rio
David Carlos Araujo Silva – partner and co-founder | PencilLabs
Andressa Fioravanti – consultant | UNDP
Kelly Esch – Transparency Coordinator (SMIT) | Rio City Hall

14:30 – 15:30
Theme: Eurasia Group – Focus on Brazil: Brazil in the next decade: Opportunities and obstacles to development
Chris Garman – Chief Executive Officer | Eurasia Group, Americas
Silvio Cascione – Research Director | Eurasia Group

15:30 – 16:30
Theme: Eurasia Group – US vs. China Focus: Technology, Trade, and Security: Who Sets the Rules of the Global Game?
Chris Garman – Chief Executive Officer | Eurasia Group, Americas
Clayton Allen – Director | Eurasia Group

16:30 – 17:30
Theme: Eurasia Group – US Focus: Outlook for the Trump Administration: Where the Administration is Going, Partnership with Silicon Valley, and Democracy
Chris Garman – Executive Director | Eurasia Group for the Americas
Clayton Allen – Director | Eurasia Group
Fernanda Magnotta – Professor and Coordinator of the International Relations course | FAAP

17:30 – 18:30
Theme: Eurasia Group – Focus on AI and global power: who wins, who loses, who defines?
Chris Garman – Chief Executive Officer | Eurasia Group, Americas
Clayton Allen – Director | Eurasia Group

Day 4: In the Mood for Creativity: River of Business and Opportunities (August 15)

10:30 – 11:30
Theme: Women in Technology: Innovation, Leadership and Public Policies for Equality
Rafaela Bastos – president | João Goulart Foundation | Rio City Hall
Joyce Trindade – Municipal Secretary of Women and Care | Rio City Hall
Aneliza Lima – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | LEV
Moderator: Maria Antonia Chady – co-founder | Papo Delas

11:45 – 12:45
Theme: Check-in of the Future: the reinvention of luxury hotels in Rio
Sophie Bárbara – General Manager | Hotel Santa Teresa MGallery
Ulisses Marreiros – Area Managing Director | Belmond Copacabana Palace
José Domingo Bouzon – president | ABIH RJ
Mediator: Shirley Legnani – Communications and Partnerships Manager, Luxury Cluster | Fairmont

13:00 – 13:45
Theme: Rio 2025 Challenge: Launch of the Public Consultation
Tatiana Roque – Municipal Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation | Rio City Hall
Bernardo Ainbinder – Undersecretary of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (SMCT) | Rio City Hall

14:00 – 15:00
Theme: Carnival as a Creative Industry and Engine of Social Development
Carla Brito – Carnival Director | LigaRJ
Luiz Antonio Simas – professor and historian
Rafaela Bastos – president | João Goulart Foundation | Rio City Hall
Mediator: Bruno Chateaubriand – journalist | Veja

15:15 – 16:15
Theme: Innovation and Investment: Rio as a Global Hub and Opportunity for the Financial Market
Osmar Lima – Municipal Secretary of Economic Development | Rio City Hall
Carlos Martins – Director | ACX Brazil
Chicão Bulhões – Head of Institutional Relations | PRIO
Moderator: Marcel Balassiano – Undersecretary of Economic Development and Innovation (SMDE) | Rio City Hall

16:30 – 17:30
Theme: Rio for Business: Infrastructure and Strategy for Corporate Events
Fabiana Misse – Marketing Director (SMTUR) | Rio City Hall
Eduardo Rodrigues – General Director | Riocentro
Veruska Dondé – Events Coordinator | Editora Globo
Moderator: Tatiana Kingston – Congress and Events Coordinator | Visit Rio

17:45 – 18:45
Theme: School that Inspires: innovation at the heart of learning
Ana Paula Massonetto – Undersecretary of Innovation and Strategic Projects (SME) | Rio City Hall
João Hoeppner – founder | Great Place to Study®️ Brazil
Marcelo Viana – researcher and general director | IMPA Tech
Moderator: Severino Netto – consultant for Latin America | What Works Cities

Category:

• City
• Economic development
• News
• Riotur

August 12th, 2025

Appointments: Rio's Climate Arena Rio Challenge In the Climate of Rio City Hall of Rio Rio Innovation Week Sandbox.Rio technology