Everything you need to know about attending Rio Innovation Week in 2025

Rio Innovation Week, held annually since 2021 in Rio de Janeiro, is set to be the largest global conference on technology and innovation. It includes conferences, business fairs and networking experiences. It brings together entrepreneurs, startups, investors and scholars across sectors such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, smart cities and digital health. In 2024 it drew an estimated 155 000 attendees over four days.

Rio Innovation Week was first held in 2021 and has quickly established itself as a leading global technology and innovation event, drawing top talents from around the world.

When & where is Rio Innovation Week in 2025

Rio Innovation Week 2025 will take place over four days, running from 12 to 15 August 2025. Sessions typically run from around 10 am to 9 pm local time.

Rio Innovation Week will be held at Pier Mauá in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, located next to Rio's famous Museu de Amanha (Museum of Tomorrow). Here there will be 90,000 square metres of event space, featuring:

• More than 3,000 speakers across 40 conferences and 15 thematic tracks

• 2,200 startups, 430 exhibitors and a business generation environment

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What are the themes & topics of Rio Innovation Week for 2025

The organisers state that the event aims to foster an inclusive economically sustainable future based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Global Compact.

Rio Innovation Week will feature more than 3,000 speakers across 40 conferences and 15 thematic tracks. The thematic tracks include Climate, Cities of Tomorrow, Humanare, Wellness, EduTech, Pop & Tech, and Music Forward, and will address topics such as include artificial intelligence, sustainability, smart cities, digital health, and diversity & inclusion in innovation.

Presenters will appear across a variety of formats including keynote addresses, panel discussions, fireside chats, seminars and pitch sessions. Sessions are scheduled to cover a range of topics, including:

• Ethics and future trends of artificial intelligence

• Climate adaptation strategies for urban areas

• Developing innovation ecosystems in emerging economies

• Health tech solutions for digital healthcare delivery

• Sustainable finance and investment in emerging markets

These sessions are structured to encourage exchange among startups, investors, NGOs and public sector participants.

Who is presenting at Rio Innovation Week 2025

Rio Innovation Week 2025 presents a roster of international and national speakers across sectors including innovation, climate science, urban planning, investment, technology and health tech.

Confirmed presenters include:

• John Maeda – VP of Design and AI at Microsoft

• Amy Webb – quantitative futurist and the Founder & CEO of the Future Today Institute 

• Denis Mukwege – Nobel Peace Prize laureate, human rights advocate, physician working in conflict zones

• António Damásio – Renowned neuroscientist specialising in emotions, and author

• Adam Frank – astrophysicist and science communicator

• Cida Bento - A Brazilian author and expert on the importance of inclusion in innovation, recognised by The Economist as one of the 50 most influential professionals in diversity.

• Carlos Nobre - A leading Brazilian climatologist

  
  

Other speakers include national thought leaders, startup founders, researchers, authors, and public sector representatives addressing subjects such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, urban resilience and smart cities.

Special events and activities at Rio Innovation Week

Rio Innovation Week offers multiple special events and experiential activities beyond the core conference content. Dedicated side event spaces where people can register informal meet‑ups or join scheduled group discussions organised by attendees via the official app

• A large Business Fair with exhibition booths showcasing over 200 exhibitors and innovation solutions from startups, research institutions and environmental tech ventures

• Bootcamps and Workshops focused on accelerators, mentoring and sector‑specific training. These run alongside the main sessions and allow hands‑on learning and investor pitch feedback

• Networking hubs and side events: informal meet‑ups, sector lounges and themed networking zones support relationship building and idea exchange in less formal settings

• Pop‑up technology and art installations explore emergent technologies in interactive formats. These are often located within the Pier Mauá venue

• After‑hours events: evening talks, social experiences, city tours or cultural excursions are promoted via the event app for attendees to connect beyond scheduled sessions 

• Themed lounges such as fintech zones, health tech hubs, energy hubs or metropolitan innovation spaces offer curated environments for professional conversations

  
  

Where to see schedule for Rio Innovation Week: Download the official event App

Special events are accessible to registered attendees. Attendees can download the Rio Innovation Week app (download), which provides:

• Full access to the event schedule and session details

• Notifications about special events and networking activities

• Chat and networking features to connect with other attendees

• Personalised agenda tools to plan participation in bootcamps and workshops

Entry to specialized bootcamps or paid workshops may require additional registration or fees.

How much are tickets for Rio Innovation Week & where to buy them

Tickets are available on Rio Innovation Week's official website. The current ticket price is:

• R$ 400 per day, for a daily pass

• R$ 1,200 for a passaporte ticket, granting entry for all four days of the event

More resources for planning your trip to Brazil

• Find cheap bus, ferry, and private transfer tickets on Bookaway, where you can make reservations ahead of time from abroad. Or, rent a car and give yourself the freedom to explore at your own pace.

• Find your perfect accommodation on Booking.com, with thousands of options ranging from luxury hotels to budget-friendly backpacker hostels

• You're not ready to travel until you have travel insurance. I recommend Safety Wing to my friends, family, and anyone travelling internationally. Get a free quote

• Forgetting something? Read my packing check-list for Brazil, and my list of 10 things you should do before you travel to Brazil