Sep 28, 2012: Brazil in the 21st Century, edition #1

During the month of September 2012 we focused our events entirely on Brazil, featuring the country’s entrepreneurial spirit, a pitch session by 19 Brazilian startups to Silicon Valley investors, a Brazilian evening for the attendees of TechCrunch Disrupt and a special reception with a group of Brazilian women executives representing various industry sectors. On Sep 28, a distinguished group of speakers helped us close our month’s program on a high note! Our conference Brazil in the 21st Century, at Stanford University, presented the latest on the country’s science, technology and entrepreneurship.

Big Thanks to our speakers, attendees, to our host Rock Center for Corporate Governance & supporters: Consulate of Brazil in SF; O’ Melveny & Myers; Movile, RedDrummer and, BayBrazil volunteers. Muito Obrigada!

Brazil in the 21^st Century

Date: Sep 28, 2012, 8:30am – 4:00pm
Location: Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford Law School, 559 Nathan Abbott Way

With remarkable growth in the last few years, Brazil has become the fifth largest economy in the World by GDP and sixth largest by population.
A recent study projected that Brazil’s economy can reach the same size or even larger than Japan’s economy by 2050.
With a vast territory and natural resources, Brazil has an export-oriented economy with well-developed agriculture and manufacturing industries. The country is the number one exporter of soybeans; the world’s largest producer of sugar, coffee and orange juice; the world’s leader in deep sea oil and gas extraction and home to the world’s third largest aerospace company, EMBRAER.
Foreign direct investment has hit record numbers: $66.7 billion dollars in 2011, up from $48.5 billion the previous year. Analysts predict that the Brazilian economy will pick up more steam as consumer confidence continues to increase and the country is preparing to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.
Still, Brazil has meaningful challenges ahead such as poverty and income inequality.
How will Brazil be positioned in the 21^st century?

The Brazil in the 21^st Century conference gathered government representatives and private-sector leaders to discuss science, technology, entrepreneurship and the country’s role in the global economy.

AGENDA

8:30am Breakfast

9:00am Welcome remarks
Speakers: Evan Epstein, Executive Director, Rock Center for Corporate Governance
Margarise Correa, Founder & CEO, BayBrazil
Ambassador Eduardo Prisco Ramos, Consul General of Brazil in SF

9:20am Destination Brazil – the economic scenario
Keynote Speaker: Ricardo Guerra, Managing Director, Itau Unibanco
Introduction by Ron Czerny, Founder & CEO, PlayPhone, BayBrazil board member
Our keynote speaker represents the 10th largest bank in the world by market value and the largest financial conglomerate in the Southern Hemisphere. Itau Unibanco is the second largest bank in Brazil with 11% of the market for retail banking services.

9:45am – 11:15am panel discussion
The Brazilian economy grew 2.7% last year, down from 7.5% in 2010. This year the central bank is projecting a 3.2% of GDP increase. Despite slower growth and concerns over inflation, Brazil keeps a comfortable position as a destination for investors around the world.
This panel will discuss the Brazilian economic scenario, the trends in key industry sectors and will offer insights on how the country can overcome major challenges to stay competitive in a globalized world.
Moderator: Howard Chao, Partner, OMM
Panelists: Ricardo Guerra, Managing Director, Itau Unibanco
Andre Levi, VP, DCM & BayBrazil mentor
Vicente Silveira, Director of Engineering, LinkedIn
Marcus Coester, CEO, Rio Grande do Sul Dev. and Investment Promotion Agency

11:15am–12:00pm Science & Technology in Brazil
Keynote Speaker: Manoel Barral Netto, Director, CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development)
Introduction by Amb. Eduardo Prisco Ramos, Consul General of Brazil in SF
Brazil ranks 13^th in scientific production and the Government is determined to improve that position. It has just launched a new initiative to tackle the shortage of skilled professionals aiming to invest over 2 billion dollars in science and technology scholarships.
The keynote speaker will present the Science without Borders program that will send 100,000 Brazilian students to the world’s top universities.
A young Brazilian perspective on the country’s future
Speaker: Guilherme Loures, student, Aeronautical Engineering at Stanford

12:00pm Lunch break

Afternoon musical opening by Daniel Dalarossa with chorinho Doce de Coco

12:40pm The Brazilian ecosystem of entrepreneurship & innovation
Keynote Speaker: Fred Aslan, VP, Venrock & BayBrazil board member
Case Study: Movile
Speaker: Eduardo Lins Henrique, Country Manager, Movile
Case Study: RedDrummer
Speaker: André Vellozo, Founder & CEO, RedDrummer

1:10pm-2:40pm panel discussion
In the past four years, internet access has doubled in Brazil. Thanks to a rising middle class, its increasing purchase power and fearless curiosity to try new services, the web market is flourishing and fueling the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Accelerators and business incubators are producing homegrown startups right up on the radar of local and international VCs.
The panelists will talk about Brazil’s startup scene, how they are succeeding in that market and what are the challenges facing the innovation ecosystem.
Moderator: Steve Ciesinski, Stanford GSB, SRI International
Panelists: Fred Aslan, VP, Venrock & BayBrazil board member
Daniel Dalarossa,Zymi Group, BayBrazil board member
Eduardo Lins Henrique, Country Manager, Movile
Allen Taylor, Director Global Networks, Endeavor
André Vellozo, Founder & CEO, RedDrummer