IASP CEO joins Semana Caldeira 2026 with focus on innovation ecosystems

Porto Alegre was buzzing with energy when IASP member Instituto Caldeira from Brazil recently hosted the fifth edition of Semana Caldeira, bringing together leaders, specialists, companies, startups and talent for five days of knowledge exchange and discussions spanning innovation, business, education, technology and society. 

Located in a former industrial complex that preserves historic elements from the AJ Renner Industrial site, including boilers imported from Europe in the 1920s, the Institute is founded by 42 companies from the local business community and delivers a wide range of innovation programmes, collaborative opportunities and youth supporting initiatives.

IASP CEO Ebba Lund participated in Semana Caldeira 2026, joining a panel that brought together global perspectives on the development of successful innovation ecosystems, sharing the stage with former International President of IASP, Herbert Chen of Tuspark (China).

The panel focused on “The Anatomy of Innovation Ecosystems: What Makes Great Innovation Hubs Thrive?” and was moderated by Flavia Fiorin, Director of Tecnopuc (Brazil). Their discussion examined industry trends, as well as the conditions that enable innovation ecosystems to generate new companies, technologies and opportunities, and how different actors can contribute to creating environments where innovation can develop effectively. 

Drawing on experiences from Porto Alegre, Beijing and international peers, the panel also reflected on IASP insights and trends from innovation spaces around the world, highlighting the different models represented across the IASP network and the opportunities they create for international collaboration. 

The international collaboration discussed during Semana Caldeira was also reflected in wider activities taking place in Porto Alegre during the same week, such as IASP member, Tecnopuc welcoming IASP and a delegation from TusHoldings, further strengthening links between the Brazilian and Chinese innovation ecosystems. The visit built on an existing cooperation agreement between Tecnopuc and TusHoldings, including representatives from TUSNEX, TusStar and Tus International Innovation Academy, with discussions also covering initiatives such as the development of international innovation developed in Rio Grande do Sul, and company visits to learn more about the work of BlueNano Group, a company focused on nanotechnology, and the IPR (Institute of Petroleum and Natural Resources), a benchmark in the energy and low-carbon sectors.

Back at Instituto Caldeira the group also toured the innovation hub during a site visit led by CEO Pedro Freitas Valério, who will also be joining IASP colleagues soon in France for our annual World Conference, sharing more about the urban transformation and what Instituto Caldeira represents today. 

Pedro Freitas Valério commented: “Semana Caldeira is about bringing people and ideas together to create meaningful connections and new opportunities. Having leaders from the IASP network with us reinforces our ambition to connect Porto Alegre and our innovation ecosystem to the world. We were delighted to welcome Ebba and our international partners, and we look forward to continuing this exchange with the IASP community in France”.

Find out more about Instituto Caldeira and the IASP World Conference.