Held within the SBFoton International Optics and Photonics Conference / São Pedro, SP, Brazil | September 22–24, 2025
The 4th Workshop on Photonic Industry and Entrepreneurship in Brazil took place September 22–24 in São Pedro, São Paulo, alongside this year’s SBFoton International Optics and Photonics Conference (IOPC 25). Supported by the IEEE Photonics Society through its Industry Engagement Committee (IEC), the workshop is part of an ongoing effort to encourage students and early-career professionals to pursue careers in the photonics sector—while strengthening local innovation ecosystems across Latin America. Over the past two years, IPS has helped seed and refine this workshop format through four events hosted in Brazil and Mexico.
Co-organized by Prof. Newton Frateschi (University of Campinas) and Dr. Daniel Renner (IEC Chair), the three-day program featured a rich lineup of panels, discussions, hands-on activities, and networking opportunities.
Highlights from the Panel Discussions
• São Carlos Innovation Ecosystem
Sao Carlos—a hub of research centers, universities, and high-tech companies—served as a case study in successful collaboration-driven innovation. Leaders from the region shared insights on how partnerships between academia and industry fuel technological growth.
• BRICS Photonics International Panel
Representatives from BRICS member countries offered an overview of the photonics industry and entrepreneurship landscape in their respective nations, opening the door to new international synergies.
• Entrepreneurial Mentality
Brazilian photonics entrepreneurs from OPTO Eletrônica, Qnity, AGRITEST, AGROROBOTICS, and NAPID shared their journeys, reflecting on company growth, early challenges, and the mindset required to build technology-based ventures in Brazil.
• How to Boost Photonics in Latin America?
Experts from Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil—Prof. Andrea Bragas, Prof. Raul Hernandez Aranda, and Prof. Newton Frateschi—discussed strategies for translating photonics research into real-world products. This growing tri-country collaboration is one of the lasting outcomes of the region’s entrepreneurship workshops.
• EMBRAPII and Smart Cities
Representatives from EMBRAPII units in the São Carlos region—including EMBRAPA Instrumentation, IFSC USP, and ICMC USP—showcased how national innovation programs connect universities and companies to accelerate industrial research.
• Photonics in Brazil
João Batista Rosolem, coordinator of the SISFOTON national photonics laboratory network, offered an overview of Brazil’s photonics sector and stressed the value of entrepreneurship initiatives in strengthening nationwide collaboration.
LIF Empreende Express: Design Thinking & Lean Canvas Competition
One of the most dynamic elements of the workshop was the LIF Empreende Express session, where students immersed themselves in the process of turning scientific ideas into business plans. Over just 48 hours, teams created startup concepts to pitch before a jury.
The winning proposals included:
- “Sorting Coffee Beans as a Service” – using spectroscopy and machine learning to evaluate internal chemical quality in real time
- A compact water treatment system – leveraging curcumin-based photosensitization to sterilize contaminated water on-site
Many competitors were members of the newly established IEEE Photonics Society Student Chapter at USP – São Carlos, reflecting the region’s growing student-driven momentum.
Lunch & Learn: Photonics for Global Challenges
During informal lunchtime discussions, participants considered how photonics technologies can address global issues highlighted by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger – the need for a 60% increase in food production by 2050
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – the impact of foodborne illness and challenges in water treatment
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – the staggering one-third of global food lost annually
These conversations reinforced the essential role photonics can play in creating sustainable, scalable solutions.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the workshop’s three days, the breadth of discussions, the energy of the student competition, and the strengthening of regional collaborations all point to a successful event with both immediate and long-term impact. Beyond fostering entrepreneurial mindsets, the workshop is helping accelerate startup creation, technology transfer, and industry growth across Latin America.
The IEEE Photonics Society and its partners will continue tracking the outcomes of these workshops, observing how the ideas, connections, and initiatives sparked here evolve into lasting technological and economic advancements.
