Brazil Conference at Harvard and MIT

What Brazil Conference at Harvard and MIT does

The Brazil Conference is a volunteer-run annual leadership conference organized since 2015 by Brazilian students at Harvard and MIT, held over three days each March in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The 12th edition is scheduled for March 27–29, 2026, and the 2025 event marked the 11th anniversary under the theme 'Conectando Gerações de Líderes' (Connecting Generations of Leaders). Its core product is a multi-track speaking program covering Culture & Society, Politics & Government, Economy & Business, and Technology & Science, aimed at connecting established Brazilian leaders with diaspora students and emerging talent. The organization operates no proprietary technology platform — ticketing runs through RSVPify and content is distributed via Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Surrounding the conference, Brazil Conference runs a portfolio of seven social impact programs that function as a year-round pipeline: Embaixadores (selecting third-sector leaders to amplify their impact), AI4Good (AI-for-social-impact teams), Cultura em Ação (artists driving social transformation), HackBrazil (startups solving national challenges, with R$100,000 awarded to the winner), Pesquisadores (researcher recognition), Servindo o Brasil (public servant recognition), and Diálogos (public high school student engagement). The 2026 cycle drew 2,000+ applicants and reached 6,000+ public school students through Diálogos.

Revenue is generated through three streams: individual ticket sales, multi-tier corporate sponsorships (Platinum, Premium, Standard, Supporter), and donations. The 2026 sponsor base includes flagship backing from Fundação Itaú, Fundação Lemann, Itaú Unibanco, and Stark Bank, with Premium support from BTG Pactual, Ambev, Stone, and others. The organization is governed by a volunteer executive team of approximately 20 VPs under President Merllin Batista, with no paid headcount disclosed.

Name

Brazil Conference at Harvard and MIT

Legal name

Brazil Conference

Website

https://brazilconference.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Brazil Conference is a volunteer-run, student-organized annual leadership event at Harvard and MIT, now in its 12th edition, convening established and emerging Brazilian leaders across culture, politics, business, and technology. It runs seven social impact programs and is funded by ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conference Events and Leadership Programs

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Education, Research & Academic Congresses (THAHAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA), Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK), Academic & Scientific Conferences (MPAGAGAD)

Keywords

• Leadership conference
• Social impact programs
• Student volunteer organization
• Brazilian leadership network
• Corporate event sponsorships

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Tickets: Sale of tickets for the annual Brazil Conference event in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Attendees purchase tickets to participate in person.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorships at multiple tiers (Platinum, Premium, Standard) and supporter level. Companies pay for brand visibility and association with the event.
3. Donations: Donation option available on the website to support the conference and its social impact programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Brazil Conference organizes an annual three-day in-person leadership conference at Harvard and MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, bringing together Brazilian students, leaders, and specialists to discuss Brazil's future across culture, politics, government, economy, business, and technology tracks. The conference is complemented by seven social impact programs (Embaixadores, AI4Good, Cultura em Ação, HackBrazil, Pesquisadores, Servindo o Brasil, and Diálogos) that identify and amplify Brazilian leaders, innovators, artists, researchers, public servants, and public school students. Revenue is generated through individual ticket sales, multi-tiered corporate sponsorships, and donations.

Product overview

Brazil Conference is an annual conference organization that operates a platform-plus-programs model. The core product is the Brazil Conference itself — a three-day event held at Harvard and MIT featuring speakers across Culture & Society, Politics & Government, Economy & Business, and Technology & Science tracks. Surrounding the conference are seven social impact programs: Embaixadores (Ambassador leadership program), AI4Good (AI for social good), Cultura em Ação (art for social transformation), HackBrazil (startup competition), Pesquisadores (researcher award), Servindo o Brasil (public servant recognition), and Diálogos (student dialogue program). Together, these programs identify, support, and amplify transformative leaders and initiatives across Brazil.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brazil Conference (Annual Conference) Annual three-day in-person leadership conference held at Harvard and MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, bringing together students, leaders, and specialists to discuss Brazil's future. The event features speakers, panel discussions, and networking across four tracks: Culture & Society, Politics & Government, Economy & Business, and Technology & Science. Targets Brazilian diaspora professionals, students, and corporate sponsors with 1,200+ in-person participants and millions of online viewers.
• Embaixadores (Ambassadors Program) Social impact program that selects third-sector leaders to speak at the Brazil Conference, with commitment to amplify the social impact of their initiatives upon returning to Brazil. Recognizes 5 leaders annually, one from each region of Brazil, providing them an international platform to amplify their work.
• AI4Good Social impact program that selects diverse teams to create AI solutions for social impact, offering mentorship and workshops. In 2026, engaged 188 applicants developing 8 teams with 3 winning teams selected to attend the Brazil Conference.
• Cultura em Ação (Culture in Action) Social impact program that recognizes Brazilian artists who use art as a tool for social transformation. In 2026, received 191 applications and selected 2 winning artists to showcase their work at the Brazil Conference.
• HackBrazil Social impact program that promotes startups with disruptive solutions to national challenges. In 2026, received 204 applications with 3 finalists presenting at the Brazil Conference. The winner receives R$100,000 in funding for real impact and global innovation.
• Pesquisadores (Researchers Award) Award program for Brazilian researchers presenting outstanding work with potential to transform science and the country's reality, promoting scientific dissemination. In 2026, received 551 applications and awarded 4 researchers with presentation opportunities at the Brazil Conference.
• Servindo o Brasil (Serving Brazil) Social impact program that recognizes public servants who propose solutions to social problems and represent their communities through projects linked to Brazilian public service. In 2026, received 198 applications and recognized 5 public servants and 1 standout health professional.
• Diálogos (Dialogues) Social impact program that trains public high school students to create solutions for national issues. In 2026, engaged 242 teams with over 600 students; 5 projects were finalists and the winner participated in the Brazil Conference. Reached 6,000+ public school students through post-conference Diálogos activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,200+ in-person participants per event
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Fundação ItaúflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of Brazil Conference 2026. Fundação Itaú is a philanthropic foundation supporting Brazilian development through three pillars: Itaú Cultural, Itaú Social, and Itaú Educação e Trabalho.
• Fundação LemannflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor. Family philanthropic organization that integrates an impact ecosystem with governments, excellence universities, and partners. Committed to developing diverse leadership and ensuring quality public education.
• Itaú UnibancoflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor. Most valuable banking brand in Latin America with over 100 years of history, present in 18 countries, serving approximately 70 million customers.
• Stark BankflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor. Brazilian fintech founded in 2018 by Rafael Stark. Offers complete digital account with payments, corporate cards, Pix, and investments. Raised US$61.1 million including from Bezos Expeditions, with R$50 million profit in 2024.
• BTG PactualcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium sponsor. Largest investment bank in Latin America, operating in Investment Banking, Asset Management, Wealth Management, and Banking. 7,000+ employees in 9 countries.
• LiveModecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium sponsor. Strategic partner for sports entities in the new global media landscape, integrating TV tradition with digital languages. Develops business models with technology and innovation.
• NomadcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium sponsor. Fintech founded in 2020, pioneer in offering US bank accounts for Brazilians. Offers solutions for global financial life including dollar assets, international transfers, and US stock market access.
• IbmeccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium sponsor. Recognized for excellence in business, economics, finance, and technology education. Offers undergraduate and graduate programs with strong theoretical foundation and practical applications.
• TakocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium sponsor. AI applied to HR operations and payroll, transforming data into intelligence. Agents trained in Brazilian labor laws execute payroll and orchestrate employee journey with precision and compliance.
• Zamp (Burger King, Popeyes, Starbucks, Subway Brazil)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium sponsor. Master franchisee of global brands in Brazil. Business ecosystem connecting people and operations, impacting millions of customers daily.
• AmbevcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium sponsor. Produces iconic brands like Guaraná Antarctica, Brahma, Corona, and Budweiser. Operates Bees B2B platform and Zé Delivery, present in 700+ cities as Brazil's largest beverage delivery platform.
• StonecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium sponsor. Started in 2012 to democratize financial services. Now a one-stop-shop ecosystem of banking and software with 15,000 people, driving innovation for businesses of all sizes.
• The Weber Shandwick CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStandard sponsor. Global communication network, part of Omnicom. Combines creativity, data, and AI to drive business and build reputations. 225+ Cannes Lions, awarded Global Agency of the Year 2024 by PRWeek.
• Santos Lloyd Law FirmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStandard sponsor. Full-service immigration law firm based in Newport Beach, California with offices in Beverly Hills, San Diego, Boston, and Orlando. Represents individuals and families globally for permanent residency and temporary visas.
• MevominorGTM or Marketing PartnerStandard sponsor. Founded in 2017, Brazil's leading electronic prescription platform. Integrated with 1,000+ hospitals and 150 tech companies, present in 9 of Brazil's top 10 hospitals. Impacts 15 million patients annually.
• iFoodcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter. Leader in food delivery in Latin America. Connects customers, delivery workers, and partners. Covers groceries, pharmacies, and pet shops. 180 million monthly orders for 60 million customers, generating 1 million jobs and impacting 0.64% of Brazilian GDP.
• BrazilFoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter. Mobilizes resources to transform Brazil, connecting leaders and organizations to a global network promoting social and environmental equity. Over 25 years, invested US$61 million in 1,000+ organizations.
• Rede Muda MundocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter. Social innovation ecosystem driving territories through intersectoral collaboration. Operates three fronts: volunteer mobilization (Transforma Brasil), leader training (Porto Social/Escola Zero), and opportunities for vulnerable populations (Casa Zero).
• AluracoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter. Brazil's largest tech school, uniting 6 million people for 20 years. Uses Dev in T methodology balancing broad repertoire with solid specialization. Offers depth in Programming, Front-end, Data Science, AI, DevOps, and Mobile.
• MeiucaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter. Proudly Brazilian digital product studio helping major Brazilian companies reimagine apps, systems, and portals. Believes in transformation power of design for both business and society's complex challenges.
• Fundação EstudarcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter. Since 1991, has driven potential of young talents to lead transformations in Brazil. Líderes Bolsas Program offers lifelong support and high-level networking for students in any field at undergraduate or graduate level.
• Fundação BehringcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter. Family organization driving young tech talents in Brazil through ecosystem: Behring Academy (adolescents), Behring Scholars (undergrad scholarships), and Behring Founders (tech entrepreneurship). Invests in science via PUC-Behring AI Institute at PUC-Rio.
• ManacáminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter. Socialtech transforming socio-environmental data into strategic intelligence for public, private, and social sectors. Uses proprietary technology and robust methodologies to support impact-oriented decisions.
• VisafacciominorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter. Visa and passport specialist offering 100% online advisory with convenience and efficiency for Brazil and abroad. 98.7% approval rate, maximum Google rating, zero complaints.
• MouraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter. With nearly 70 years, the largest battery and energy solutions hub in South America. Produces 12 million units annually for vehicles and critical systems. 8 plants, 7,000 employees, 90+ distributors in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.
• NewhackminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter. Innovative ecosystem focused on accelerating growth of startups and tech companies. Combines entrepreneurial education, venture capital, and open innovation, connecting founders to leaders and top investors.
• Clínica FormareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporter. Since 2018, specialist in autism, ADHD, and neurodevelopment for all ages. 100+ professionals with interdisciplinary model under unified ABA Science protocols. Focus on autonomy and measurable results.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Milken Institute Global Conference: Large annual gathering convening global leaders across finance, policy, and social impact with tiered corporate sponsorship — closely mirrors the Brazil Conference's leadership dialogue + sponsorship model.
• Aspen Ideas Festival: Annual multi-day ideas festival at a US elite institution featuring policy, business, science, and culture tracks with corporate sponsorship — directly comparable in format to the Brazil Conference, though broader in geographic scope.
• Brazil Forum (held at US universities): Student-run Brazil-focused leadership conference held at US universities; the closest direct thematic peer given shared Brazil-diaspora-at-US-elite-university positioning.

Others

• Lemann Foundation (Fundação Lemann): Flagship platinum sponsor of Brazil Conference; operates its own leadership and education programs in Brazil and represents an adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Web Summit: Multi-track technology and business conference with tiered sponsorships, large in-person attendance, and online viewership at scale — relevant as an analogous conference-as-business operating model.
• TED Conference: Iconic conference model combining high-profile speakers with curated ideas across disciplines, with deep sponsor ecosystem and global content distribution — analogous in GTM motion though at vastly larger scale.
• Dreamforce / Salesforce conference: Very large corporate-sponsored multi-day conference with tiered sponsorship packages and significant online audience — relevant as a reference point for sponsor packaging economics.

Emerging players

• Student Veterans of America (organizational model peer): US university-affiliated volunteer-driven national organization that scales programs nationally — analogous in the volunteer-network operating model that the Brazil Conference replicates.

Regional players

• Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce events: Industry association convening Brazil-US business and policy leaders through conferences and networking — shares the Brazil-diaspora-business audience and corporate sponsor pool.
• Harvard Kennedy School Brazil-related conferences: Academic policy conferences at HKS addressing Latin American/Brazilian themes — share the Harvard venue ecosystem and academic credibility with the Brazil Conference.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BrazilConference
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brazilconference
• Instagraminstagram.com/brazil_conference
• Xx.com/brazil_conf
• Facebookfacebook.com/brazilconference

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Brazil Conference at Harvard and MIT