Pecege Institute and Science and Technology Park receive European foodtech mission

On October 22, the Pecege Institute and the Piracicaba Technology Park hosted an international delegation of agrifood and foodtech companies as part of the Foodtech Brazil 2026 Immersion Mission, which is part of the EIT Food GO Brazil program. The visit was part of the group’s agenda to connect with Piracicaba’s innovation ecosystem.

The mission took place from 10/18/2026 to 10/23/2026, with a program in São Paulo, Piracicaba, Jaguariúna, and Campinas. The initiative, organized by EIT Food — the food innovation community of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and co-funded by the European Union —, was designed and coordinated by Upvisor Global and executed in Brazil by Sterna International Business.

The group brought together eight companies that develop technologies for different stages of the agri-food chain. The solutions include alternative proteins and ingredients, microalgae cultivation, precision fermentation, biological inputs and biocontrol, artificial intelligence-powered enzyme design, computer vision farm monitoring, and technologies to extend shelf life and reduce food waste.

At the Piracicaba Technology Park, the program began with a guided tour led by Leonardo Martins, who introduced the space and projects to the delegation. The purpose of the visit was to help the companies understand the local agtech ecosystem and learn about the innovation and technology environments available in the city.

Following this, the group was welcomed by the Pecege Institute for a conversation with the team, accompanied by Alan Venâncio from WBGI. The participants learned about the Institute’s structure and international programs and were able to discuss the organizations’ operations, strategic agendas, and ways to interact with international companies.

Raquel Kibrit Sznifer, CEO of Sterna International Business, explained that the expectation was for the entrepreneurs to be able to envision themselves doing business in Brazil, especially in the Piracicaba region. “The idea was for each organization to help assemble a large puzzle, so that each company could understand exactly how to navigate this rich and sophisticated ecosystem,” Raquel stated.

Raquel evaluated that this expectation was met. She said that the group was very pleased to learn about the structure and projects of the Pecege Institute and the Technology Park, and emphasized that the visits were part of a single proposal: to present the diversity of actors and opportunities in Piracicaba’s ecosystem to companies evaluating partnerships and ways to operate in Brazil.

The purpose of EIT Food GO Brazil is to support European companies interested in understanding the Brazilian market and building local relationships. Throughout the week, the delegation participated in meetings with corporations, investors, research centers, and innovation hubs, as well as preparation activities regarding the business environment and legal aspects of operating in Brazil.

The eight companies operate in complementary fronts of the agri-food chain. Among them are Arborea, which develops ingredients and proteins from microalgae; FLOX, which uses artificial intelligence and computer vision to monitor poultry; and Nanomik Biotechnology, which works with encapsulation, biocontrol, and food preservation solutions.

Also participating were NEW ERA FOOD, featuring mushroom-based technology to develop meat alternatives; Pacífico Biolabs, which produces alternative seafood through mycelium fermentation; and PFx Biotech, which applies precision fermentation to the production of bioactive proteins. Rounding out the group are Scindo.bio, which uses artificial intelligence in enzyme design and the utilization of renewable raw materials and residuals, and Shelfion, which combines software, testing, and analytics to support shelf-life forecasting and food safety.

For Daniel Sonoda, CEO of Pecege, hosting the delegation reinforces the commitment of the Pecege Institute and the Technology Park to knowledge exchange program and innovation. “It is a pleasure to be part of this agenda and to host companies that develop innovative solutions for agri-food systems. The visit promotes dialogue between different actors and opens space for new cooperation opportunities between Piracicaba’s ecosystem and international organizations,” he states.

This rapprochement is aligned with the objective of the immersion: to transform the initial contact with the Brazilian market into concrete possibilities for collaboration, such as pilot projects, technological cooperation, distribution, local production, and investment. In Piracicaba, the visits to the Technology Park and the Pecege Institute allowed the delegation to be introduced to different actors and opportunities of the local ecosystem of innovation, research, and agribusiness.