The Web Summit Lisbon 2026 Mission has opened applications for 10 Rio de Janeiro startups to join the delegation organized by Invest.Rio and Maravalley. The initiative is designed to connect Rio companies with international investors, partners and innovation ecosystems, with a focus on internationalization and business development. According to Rio City Hall, the mission is scheduled for November 8 to 12, 2026, while Web Summit officially lists the conference itself for November 9 to 12.
What you need to know before deciding whether to apply
The call targets Rio startups whose solutions fit Web Summit startup profiles and that are mature enough to demonstrate innovation, market potential and growth prospects. Selection is not first come, first served. Published information about the call says the process includes document review, technical assessment and interviews.
| Item | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Places | 10 startups |
| Organizers | Invest.Rio and Maravalley |
| Mission period | November 8 to 12, 2026, according to Rio City Hall |
| Web Summit Lisbon | November 9 to 12, 2026, according to the official event website |
| Application deadline | September 27, 2026 |
| Final result | October 2, 2026 |
| Selection | document review, technical assessment and interviews |
Who is eligible
According to Startups, citing the call, a company must have been operating for less than six years, have fewer than 100 employees, and offer a product, service or solution aligned with Web Summit's Alpha or Beta profiles. Rio City Hall presents the program as a selection for Rio startups seeking to expand their international presence and build connections with the European market.
Before completing the application, companies should review the full call on the official Maravalley page. This matters because City Hall confirms that the call contains specific participation requirements, documentation and a timeline, but its public news release does not reproduce the full list of required attachments and supporting documents.
What the panel is expected to assess
The selection will be carried out by a panel made up of Invest.Rio, Maravalley and partners. City Hall says the aim is to identify businesses with potential for innovation, growth and internationalization. Startups reports additional criteria cited in the call, including originality of the solution, addressable market size, revenue projection and traction, and founder quality.
In practical terms, a strong application should tell a consistent story connecting the problem, the solution, the market, the team's ability to execute and evidence of progress. Claiming that a product is innovative is not enough. Applicants should prepare objective evidence to support the figures and claims included in the form and any subsequent interview.
Preparation and document checklist
The official announcement confirms that documentation is required, but City Hall's public summary does not list every file. To avoid importing rules from unrelated Web Summit missions, the checklist below separates confirmed requirements from items that must be checked directly in the call before submission.
- Confirm eligibility: less than six years in operation, fewer than 100 employees and alignment with the Alpha or Beta profile.
- Review company details: have the corporate, registration and contact information requested in the official form ready.
- Organize market evidence: customer numbers, revenue, growth, pilots, contracts, users or other metrics that support the traction claimed.
- Prepare the solution narrative: explain the problem, what is original about the solution, the addressable market and why Lisbon matters to the internationalization strategy.
- Present the team: highlight founder experience and capabilities directly related to executing the business.
- Check required attachments: use the official Maravalley page to verify the final list of documents and materials because it is not reproduced in full in the City Hall release.
- Keep time available for selection: the process includes interviews after document and technical reviews.
Which benefits are confirmed
According to Rio City Hall, the 10 selected startups will receive a program that includes:
- access to Web Summit Lisbon;
- pre-trip training;
- mentoring;
- technical visits;
- meetings with investors;
- the opportunity to showcase their solutions at the Invest.Rio stand during the event.
These benefits make the initiative more than simple conference admission. The mission is structured around preparation, visibility and connections with the European ecosystem. City Hall also frames it as part of a broader internationalization strategy for Rio's innovation ecosystem.
What should not be assumed to be included
The public announcement reviewed does not state that the mission will pay for airfare, accommodation, meals or other personal expenses. Those items therefore should not be treated as covered unless the call or a later official communication expressly confirms them. The same caution applies to any benefit not listed by Invest.Rio or Maravalley.
This distinction matters because other Brazilian delegations are also traveling to Web Summit Lisbon 2026 under different programs with their own rules and subsidies. Terms from other institutions' missions should not be transferred to the Rio call.
How the selection process works
- Apply by September 27: the startup submits its application through the channels indicated by Maravalley.
- Document review: organizers verify eligibility and the documentation required by the call.
- Technical assessment: the panel evaluates the quality and potential of the business under the published criteria.
- Interviews: companies that advance may be invited to provide more detail about their application.
- Final result on October 2: the selected startups are expected to be announced after the process is completed.
The mission dates and Web Summit dates are not identical
Rio City Hall lists the Lisbon 2026 Mission for November 8 to 12. The official Web Summit website lists the conference for November 9 to 12 in Lisbon. This indicates that the delegation's schedule may begin before the official opening of the conference, which would be consistent with preparation or networking activities, but selected startups should confirm the detailed mission schedule in the call and subsequent organizer communications.
Before submitting the application
The key point is not to treat this as a generic registration for a technology trade show. The panel is looking for businesses with tangible signs of innovation, market potential, growth and internationalization capacity. Review every answer so that metrics, value proposition, founder experience and the purpose of the trip reinforce one another.
For the final version of requirements and documentation, consult the official Maravalley call. For institutional context and the benefits already announced, use the Rio City Hall release. Official conference dates can be checked directly on the Web Summit website.
