Uruguay’s Strong Presence at South Summit Reinforces Its Position as an Innovation Hub

Uruguay participated in South Summit Brazil 2026, one of the most significant events in the global entrepreneurial and technology ecosystem, held from March 25 to 27 in Porto Alegre. The mission was organized by Uruguay XXI, with support from the National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII), Cubo Itaú, and the Uruguayan Chamber of Information Technology (CUTI), and brought together technology companies, startups, and institutional representatives from across the country.

The event drew more than 23,000 participants, 130 investment funds, and nearly 3,000 startups, establishing itself as a key platform for accelerating innovation, generating business opportunities, and strengthening international strategic ties. In this context, Uruguay presented itself as a hub for business and innovation in Latin America, backed by an ecosystem of more than 500 export-oriented technology companies.

The Uruguayan delegation included more than 45 members, comprising tech companies that participated in the official agenda. These companies develop solutions in areas such as artificial intelligence, software, cybersecurity, biotechnology, and digital platforms, demonstrating the diversity and sophistication of the country’s technology offering.

Learn more about the companies participating in South Summit here

Uruguay XXI was represented by Export Specialist Irene Tayler and Investment Specialist Paola Mancino, who also participated as a panelist in the Global Meeting, an event that brought together international leaders from the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

During the session, Mancino presented Uruguay’s value proposition alongside representatives from Portugal, Germany, the United States, and Argentina, positioning the country as a reliable partner for investment and innovation. The mission’s agenda also included participation in various side events organized by key players such as Instituto Caldeira and Cubo Itaú.

During the event’s opening ceremony, the delegation was accompanied by officials from the Uruguayan Consulate in Porto Alegre, including Consul General Marion Blanco and District Consul Patricia Pacheco.

One of the highlights of Uruguay’s participation was the presence of four startups—Kinzbio, Xeptiva, Brokerware, and UBI Meat—in the Startup Competition, one of the event’s most high-profile competitions. UBI Meat stood out among more than 2,000 applications and over 50 international startups, reaching the top 10 finalists and winning the Industry 5.0 category.

The company, founded by Uruguayan Sebastián Victorica, presented an AI-based solution that analyzes meat cuts from images, bringing objectivity and traceability to the meat processing industry. Its solution aims to reduce losses, optimize processes, and improve efficiency across the entire value chain by integrating data from the feedlot to processing facilities.

This achievement builds on Uruguay’s strong track record at the event. In the previous edition, Uruguayan startups such as Nanogrow and Tecspal also reached the final rounds, reaffirming the strength of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Uruguay’s participation also stood out in the content sessions, featuring leaders such as Nicolás López (Horizon), Nicolás Galmarini (Nanogrow), and Florencia Solari (CAF), who took part in panels on artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and impact investing.

Uruguay’s presence at South Summit Brazil 2026 reinforces its position as a key player in the knowledge economy and highlights the role of Uruguay XXI in promoting the country internationally and advancing the global integration of its talent, companies, and innovation.