Rodrigo Monteiro, CNN Brasil

Event in Canada brings together strategic countries to boost technology ecosystems on a global scale

During the week that Canada hosts the Web Summit Vancouver, the world’s largest innovation and technology conference, the Rio de Janeiro delegation arrives in the country with the mission of attracting investments to the city.

In an exclusive interview with CNN Money, the president of Invest.Rio, Sidney Levy, explained how Rio de Janeiro, considered Brazil’s showcase to the world, is attracting high-level investors and transforming itself into the capital of innovation and technology.

Rio de Janeiro is the second-largest economy in Brazil, and four of the country’s ten largest companies are headquartered in the city.

According to Invest.Rio, Canada already has a significant presence in the economy of the capital of Rio de Janeiro, with investments in mining, real estate, digital infrastructure, and the financial market.

The data center sector has also attracted growing interest, especially with the advancement of artificial intelligence.

“Canadian investors have a tradition of long-term investments and see Brazil, particularly Rio, as a market with great growth potential,” says Levy.

One of the newest innovation projects to arrive in the city was the BYD Automotive Testing and Evaluation Center, with investments of R$300 million, to be developed in a total area of 183,000 square meters within the RIOgaleão complex.

In this area, a new experience, research, and development platform for the Chinese automotive giant will be launched.

Check out the exclusive interview below about investment opportunities in the city of Rio de Janeiro

What is Web Summit Vancouver? Why is it important to be there?

Web Summit is currently the world’s largest innovation and technology conference and functions as a true global innovation community, connecting governments, startups, investors, major companies, and leaders from the technology sector.

This community brings together strategic countries such as Qatar, Portugal, Brazil, and Canada, which host different editions of the event and help drive innovation ecosystems on a global scale.

Rio de Janeiro has been part of this network since becoming the host city of Web Summit in Latin America, and participating in international editions is essential to strengthen the city’s global presence.

Being in Vancouver means placing Rio at the center of the most relevant conversations about innovation, artificial intelligence, technology, and business.

Why is this meeting with investors worthwhile for Rio?

There is a global community of investors seeking opportunities in strategic markets, but many of them still do not know the depth of the innovation ecosystem that Rio de Janeiro is building.

That is precisely where Invest.Rio’s role comes in: presenting the city’s projects, initiatives, and opportunities to these international investors. We want Rio to be on their radar as a solid, innovative, and competitive alternative when they decide where to invest.

What are the most important topics that will be discussed, negotiated, or addressed at this event in favor of Rio de Janeiro?

Our agenda in Vancouver is highly focused on presenting Rio as a strategic destination for investments, especially in innovation and technology. We will discuss opportunities related to sectors such as artificial intelligence, data centers, energy, sustainability, real estate, and digital transformation.

In addition, we will hold meetings with investors, global companies, and ecosystem leaders to showcase concrete projects being developed in the city that can generate business opportunities and international partnerships.

What could come out of these meetings for Rio?

These meetings can generate everything from new institutional connections to concrete investments for the city.

Many relationships begin at events like Web Summit and evolve into partnerships, company expansions, office openings, attraction of events, and the development of strategic projects.

Our goal is to expand Rio’s international presence and create opportunities that strengthen the city’s economy in the long term.

Is there any interest from Canadian investors in Rio? In which sectors? Why?

Without a doubt! Canada already has a significant presence in Rio de Janeiro’s economy, with companies and funds operating in strategic sectors.

We have relevant Canadian investments in mining, real estate, digital infrastructure, and the financial market. Companies such as Brookfield, for example, have a strong presence in Brazil, including in infrastructure and energy.

The data center sector is also attracting growing interest, especially with the advancement of artificial intelligence.

In addition, Air Canada recently expanded its operations at RIOgaleão, reinforcing the city’s international connectivity.

Canadian investors have a tradition of long-term investments and see Brazil, particularly Rio, as a market with great growth potential.

Technology investments in Rio

BYD Automotive Testing and Evaluation Center

BYD announced an investment of R$300 million for the construction of its first Automotive Testing and Evaluation Center and the launch of a new experience, research, and development platform in Rio.

The project, which will be developed in a total area of 183,000 square meters within the RIOgaleão complex, includes the construction of infrastructure for speed, power, endurance, durability, and performance testing.

The initiative will also include specific tracks for evaluations under different terrain conditions.

Rio x Canada Air Routes

Air Canada announced its return to the city’s international airport with new flights between Rio de Janeiro and Toronto.

Flights operate three times per week, on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. In 2026, the airline is also increasing seat availability on the Toronto–Rio route during the South American summer high season.

In practice, there will be 102 additional seats, representing an increase of approximately 34% in capacity.

In February of this year, Air Transat — a Canadian airline headquartered in Montreal — operated its first flight at RIOgaleão with destination to Toronto.

Flights operate twice a week to Toronto, on Thursdays and Saturdays, and once a week to Montreal, on Fridays, using Airbus A330 aircraft.

Rio AI City

Rio AI City, a project developed jointly by the Rio City Hall, the federal government, and Elea Data Centers, will transform the Parque Olímpico region into Brazil’s largest data center hub, positioning the city as a leading player in the sector and attracting greater global visibility for Rio as the innovation capital of Latin America.

Integrated into the City Hall’s innovation and urban revitalization project, the data center city will be powered by 100% renewable and certified energy and will have an initial energy capacity of 1.5 GW, with the potential to reach up to 3.2 GW in future phases.

The initiative is expected to generate more than 10,000 qualified jobs and billions of dollars in direct and indirect investments.