A Tech Renaissance in the Heart of Northeastern Brazil
March 26th, 2012
By Filipe Pacheco
Recife is one of the oldest cities in Brazil – the capital of the Northeastern state of Pernambuco was the main port for the exportation of sugar back in the XVII century. Now, this historical city has some of the most buzzing digital scene of the country. Since 2000, “Porto Digital do Recife” has been established itself as one of the most strategic digital centers in the country — and it is important to highlight the city is located hundreds and hundreds of miles north of the economical heart of the Brazil, the Southeast.
São Paulo Offers Great Places to Eat, Sleep and Visit
March 22nd, 2012By Marnely Rodriguez
When first traveling to São Paulo, it can be a little overwhelming narrowing down the list of places to see, stay, and have a great meal. Here are just a few you-ought-to-know restaurants, hotels and museums that will make your visit more enjoyable, maybe even more productive. If the place you had in mind is closed or booked-up, just walk a little further. You’re bound to find something worth checking out.
The Real Reasons Why it is So Hard to Find IT Talent in Brazil
March 20th, 2012
By Filipe Pacheco
The lack of qualified professionals is usually cited as one of the main pain points for IT employers in Brazil – especially foreign players arriving to the country eager to exploit the country’s expansive domestic market. As a direct consequence, competition for talent is intensifying and employers are becoming more savvy around the methods they use to attract and keep talent.
Is Latin America Doing Enough For Its Economies?
March 14th, 2012
By Robert L. Scheier
The more than 700 attendees at the MIT Latin America conference March 10th in Cambridge heard a lot of upbeat talk about economic prospects for Latin America in general, and emerging markets throughout the southern hemisphere.
Sci-Tech Minister Raupp: The processes must change.
By Filipe Pacheco
One of the biggest complaints heard from foreign investors in the IT outsourcing industry is that the laws that must be followed when starting a company or doing business on Brazilian soil are too complex and confusing. Both federal legislative houses are debating a series of new regulations specifically designed for the technology industry. If actually enacted, the policies could make it easier for IT outsourcing and related organizations to do business in Brazil as well as foster innovation domestically. Proponents from the research and tech community say the alternative will mean inability to compete.
Brazil Cutting Interest Rates
March 8th, 2012Source: Reuters
Brazil slashed interest rates by a larger-than-expected 75 basis points on Wednesday, stepping up its battle to revive struggling industries that threaten to derail the recovery of Latin America’s largest economy.
In its boldest move since August, when it surprised markets and began the current round of cuts, the central bank lowered its benchmark Selic lending rate to 9.75 percent from 10.50 percent in a split decision.
Two of the bank’s seven directors wanted to lower the rate by half a percentage point for the fifth straight meeting.
It was only the second time on record that Brazil has cut the Selic below 10 percent, taking borrowing costs to their lowest level in nearly two years.
Directors made the decision hours after data showed industrial output fell nearly three times more than economists had expected, the latest indicator to suggest Brazil’s boom is fizzling.
Central bank chief Alexandre Tombini is treading a …
Two Brand Name Silicon Valley VCs Set Up Joint Fund in São Paulo
March 6th, 2012Source: Deal Book
Redpoint Ventures and BV Capital’s eVentures have begun a new venture capital firm called Redpoint eVentures based in São Paulo, Brazil — the latest illustration of the country’s growing Internet start-up ecosystem.
Yann de Vries and Anderson Thees are its founding partners. Mr. de Vries was head of corporate development for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America for Cisco Systems until last year and was previously a BV Capital eVentures principal.
Mr. Thees, who is Brazilian, was previously chief executive of Apontador, a site similar to Yelp. Before that, he was vice president of business development at BuscaPe, a price comparison site based in São Paulo that was a pioneer in Brazil’s start-up scene, one of the few survivors of the first dot-com boom.
“You will see a number of investments” from the joint venture in the coming months, said Mathias Schilling, a co-founder of BV …
The Mobile User Experience: Know Your Audience (Part Two)
March 3rd, 2012Ci&T’s head of mobile strategy talks about how to deal with the many flavors of mobile app development.
As Clock Ticks, Rio Rushes to Meet Lofty Goals
February 22nd, 2012By Patrick Haller
There has been doubt expressed publicly about Rio’s – and Brazil’s – preparedness to host the 2014 World Cup , 2016 Summer Olympics and the Paralympics, even amongst government officials. Romário de Souza Faria, a futbol hall-of-famer, now a federal congressman, told the Brazilian newsmagazine Istoé he expects that only 10 of the 12 stadiums around the country which are slated to host World Cup matches will be built in time, and he doesn’t expect Brazil to be 100 percent ready.
Rio Carnival Debuts with Warning on What Not to Do in Public
February 17th, 2012Source: The Toronto Star
The globe’s biggest Carnival bash opens Friday, and it promises to be an even bigger blowout this year, with 20 per cent more tourists expected than in 2011.
Rio officials say they’re also better prepared to keep the chaos under some semblance of control, with more portable toilets, traffic guards and paramedics, as well as a new central command centre monitoring it all.
“We want revellers to be conscious that they can party but also care for the city’s public spaces,” the president of Rio’s tourism department, Antonio Figueira de Mello, said in a statement.
About 850,000 tourists are expected during the raucous, five-day free-for-all that kicks off when Rio’s mayor hands the key to the city to rotund King Momo, the mythical jester figure who reigns over Carnival.
Merrymakers are expected to spend $640 million and generate 250,000 jobs, according to the city’s economic development department. But …
