Paths of innovation: visits with business leaders from Espírito Santo in Silicon Valley, California
Adobe — California, United States
From September 8 to 11, 2023, the researcher had the opportunity to accompany a group of business leaders participating in an international mission organized by the Espírito Santo Cooperative Innovation Program. The mission was carried out in partnership with IXL Center, a Boston-based company. The itinerary included visits to leading organizations on both the East and West Coasts, including New York and Boston, as well as the Bay Area in Northern California. The researcher was responsible for leading the activities with the 28 business leaders during the visits that took place in the Bay Area.
Hult — California, United States
On September 8, the visiting group took part in a series of technical visits to institutions in San Francisco. The first visit was to Adobe Inc., where, in addition to touring the facilities, participants attended a lecture by Brooke Hopper. The presentation focused on the company’s latest software features, particularly those related to artificial intelligence.
As the program continued, the group visited the design office of Stellantis, a multinational Franco-Italian-American automotive group formed through the merger of the Italian-American automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the French automaker PSA Group. During the visit, topics related to innovation were discussed, with particular emphasis on open innovation initiatives developed in partnership with the Academy of Art University, especially the School of Industrial Design, whose campus shares the same building. At the School of Industrial Design, Director Antonio Borja guided the visitors through the facilities, which include classrooms and rapid modeling and prototyping laboratories. He also provided detailed explanations about the dynamics of open innovation projects carried out in collaboration with companies such as Stellantis, as well as other partner organizations.
In the afternoon, the business leaders participating in the mission visited the Apex-Brasil North America Office, where they had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the institution’s role in supporting Brazilian companies in activities related to export promotion, foreign investment attraction, and internationalization processes. It is worth noting that the San Francisco office is primarily dedicated to promoting products and services aimed at startups. In this context, the main resources and case studies were presented, focusing predominantly on Brazilian companies with a presence in the Valley.
On September 11, 2023, the activities took place in Palo Alto, California. In the morning, the group had the opportunity to attend a lecture by Brazilian entrepreneur Alexandre Abdo Hadade. During his presentation, Hadade shared his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting his experience leading Birdie in Silicon Valley. Participants then proceeded to Apple’s headquarters, where they were welcomed by Nelson Lee. During the visit, the group members explored the company’s Visitor Center and received a presentation on Apple’s innovative products.
In the afternoon, the group was taken to the Stanford University campus, where participants joined a tour called “Innovation Path,” guided by Brazilian guide Mariangela.
Later, the group was welcomed at Google, where they were received by Brazilian professional Pedro Cintra. This visit offered a unique opportunity to explore the company’s operations and gain a better understanding of its role in the global technology landscape. The final stop on the planned itinerary took the business leaders to WeWork Coworking, where they attended another lecture. This time, the presentation was led by David Vinicius, who shared valuable insights into his startup journey in Silicon Valley, offering participants a broader view of the region’s entrepreneurial environment.
