SOSA Leaders Forum

Requirements

Bootcamp in Madrid

The selected companies will be invited to an in-person launch of the program. During a full-day bootcamp in Madrid on October 9th, the companies will align objectives, refine their U.S. value proposition, and prepare for the San Francisco program.

Two-week intensive immersion program in San Francisco

The in-market immersion, operated by SOSA and local partners, will offer the selected companies a personalized agenda aligned with their U.S. expansion and fundraising goals.

Workshops and strategic content sessions

An array of expert-led sessions will cover U.S. market entry fundamentals, legal and regulatory landscape, go-to-market strategy, how to win over U.S. investors, and other key topics.

Targeted meetings with investors in Silicon Valley

The program will include strategic meetings with VCs, angel networks, and family offices, focused on validating startups' market opportunity, refining their fundraising pitches, and building meaningful relationships.

Connections with key players in the San Francisco tech ecosystem

The immersion program will offer opportunities to meet SF ecosystem leaders, including innovation directors from corporates, accelerators, industry experts, and growth advisors.

Mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs

Founders who have successfully scaled their companies in the U.S. will offer direct insight into the realities of operating and fundraising in Silicon Valley.

Networking opportunities

This program will provide selected startups with a multitude of in-person touch points with key stakeholders in the San Francisco ecosystem, enabling them to build their U.S. contact base and explore commercial, investment, and collaboration opportunities.

Participation in a final Demo Day

During the San Francisco immersion, the selected startups will deliver a 5-minute pitch to a curated audience of investors, corporates, and ecosystem stakeholders.

Ongoing support through the Desafía Alumni Network

Upon completion of the program, the founders will connect to a broader community of Spanish startups and international partners, with continued access to resources and visibility.

Pauta da 1ª reunião

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Café de Boas-vindas e Networking
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‍9:00 AM - 9:40 AM: Abertura
● Uzi Scheffer, CEO SOSA Global e Gianna Sagazio, CEO SOSA Brasil
● Romulo Del Tedesco Zamberlan, Diretor de Pesquisa Avançada e Inovação Aberta, Natura
● Bernardo Gradin, CEO Granbio
● Luiz Antônio Rodrigues Elias, Presidente FINEP – A confirmar
● Vahan Agopyan, Secretário de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação do Estado de São Paulo
● Fraide Barreto Sales, Secretário Executivo da Justiça e Cidadania do Estado de São Paulo
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‍9:40 AM - 10:45 AM: Sessão SOSA: Além das Tendências: Como Tecnologias Avançadas Geram Valor Real na Prática
● Uzi Scheffer, CEO SOSA Global
● Victor Bistritzki, SOSA Associado Sênior
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‍10:45 AM - 11:00 AM: Brasil no Network Readiness in 2025 - Fortalecendo o Acesso à Tecnologia para Impulsionar Crescimento Empreendedor
● Rafael Escalona Reynoso, CEO Portulans Institute (Remoto)
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‍11:00 AM - 12:00 AM: Debate Estratégico com Lideranças
● Moderador: Luciano Coutinho
● Debatedores:
- Romulo Del Tedesco Zamberlan, Diretor de Pesquisa Avançada e Inovação Aberta, Natura
- Luiz Mello, Diretor de Pesquisa e Inovação, Instituto D’Or de Pesquisa e Ensino
- Marco Branquinho, Presidente Vicunha
- Carlos Jacobino, Fundador, ISG Participações e Presidente, SINFOR-DF
- Isabela Brod, Coordenadora de Inovação e Estratégia Industrial, BNDES
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‍12:00 AM - 12:30 AM: Apresentações dos Membros do SOSA Leaders Forum
● Breve apresentação das empresas participantes do SOSA Leaders Forum
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‍12:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Encerramento e Próximos Passos
● Luciano Coutinho
● Gianna Sagazio, CEO SOSA Brasil
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‍1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Brunch de networking
A partir de 14:00: Visita guiada à Natura NASP (opcional)

Requirements

Be an entrepreneur with a technology startup

Have an annual turnover increase of more than 20% year over year (YoY)

Be headquartered and operating primarily out of Spain

No previous participation in a Desafía San Francisco Program

Have full professional proficiency in English

Full participation in all program phases, including the in-person Program Launch in Madrid (October 9th), the Virtual Program, and the entire two-week San Francisco Immersion (November 10-21st)

Impacto das Tecnologias Avançadas nos Negócios no Brasil