In the global technology landscape, Canada has established itself as one of the most promising destinations for Brazilian software companies. In a recent webinar hosted by ABES, experts and diplomatic authorities discussed ways to consolidate Brazil's presence in the Canadian market, highlighting in particular the vibrant ecosystem of the province of Quebec.
The event featured opening remarks by Ambassador Fernando Coimbra, Consul General of Brazil in Montreal, who highlighted the high level of national software production. According to Coimbra, Brazil combines a solid engineering base with a high capacity for adaptation, emphasizing sectors such as FinTech, GovTech, and Agritech. The ambassador stressed that the consulate's role is to facilitate connections and identify opportunities in provinces like Quebec and New Brunswick, which have highly dynamic innovation environments focused on Artificial Intelligence.
Incentives and Regional Attractiveness
Ralf Cherry, from Investissement Québec, presented robust data on the region, which positions itself as a "bridge" between North America and Europe. Among its major attractions are tax incentives such as coverage of a percentage of salaries for staff involved in software development activities related to e-business and innovation. Furthermore, the affordable cost of living in cities like Montreal and the availability of renewable electricity make the region competitive.
Priscila Silva, from Québec International, emphasized that Quebec City is the second largest IT hub in the province, with strong demand for cybersecurity and artificial intelligence solutions, driven by the presence of large insurance companies and financial institutions.
The challenge of "Social Capital"“
Internationalization, however, requires more than just a good product. Raquel Boechat, CEO of Canada Start Hub, warned of the need to build reputation and connections. For her, success in Canada depends on creating long-term bonds of trust and collaboration. “Canadians are loyal to relationships. It’s not just about selling a solution, but about integrating into the ecosystem,” she explained.
This view was corroborated by Marcelo Noronha, CEO of Mr. Turing. His AI company grew exponentially (more than 120% in the last year) after establishing itself in Canada and going through acceleration programs at institutions like DMZ. Noronha highlighted that, although cultural challenges and language barriers exist, the global visibility provided by the Canadian label helped establish connections with giants like Google and Microsoft.
Research and Development Partnership
Vanda Scartezini, from ABES, highlighted the importance of collaboration between Science and Technology Institutions (ICTs) and startups. With billions of dollars in R&D revenue in Brazil, these institutions seek partnerships where each country supports its side of development, accelerating mutual innovation.
The Canadian market is not just an alternative to the United States, but a strategic innovation hub. With the support of ABES and consulates, Brazilian companies find a structured path to transform national creativity into global success.
Watch the full live stream: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCljjWKQhnijL65nQJ52D6Bg?view_as=subscriber
