InnovaCities 2026 Connects Innovators from 13 Countries to Address Global Challenges
IFIA-Endorsed International Innovation Platform Brings Together More Than 70 Projects in Brazil
The second stage of the 15th InnovaCities – International Fair of Smart, Happy, Human and Resilient Cities successfully concluded in Foz do Iguacu, Parana, Brazil, bringing together inventors, researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, students, and innovation professionals from around the world. Held from September 15 to 18, 2026, the program began with project pitch presentations before an international jury at Faculdade Uniguacu on September 15 and 16, followed by the public exhibition and awards ceremony on September 17 and 18. The final two days were held in conjunction with the 4th Iguassu Valley Summit, creating a broader platform for innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, and regional development.
More Than 70 Projects from 13 Countries
The 2026 edition demonstrated the growing international reach of InnovaCities, with the two competitions attracting more than 70 innovative projects from 13 countries:
Brazil, Canada, China, Congo, Egypt, Ghana, India, Iran, Jordan, Paraguay, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Participants represented a wide range of scientific disciplines and sectors, presenting solutions designed to address contemporary technological, environmental, social, and economic challenges.
Two International Innovation Competitions
Two competitions were organized simultaneously during the event.
The 2nd LATAM BRICS Technological Innovation and Talent Development Competition was held in cooperation with the BRICS Academy in Xiamen, China, and Faculdade Uniguacu.
Alongside it, the 2nd InnovaCities Regenerative Innovation Competition was organized in partnership with UNILA – Federal University for Latin American Integration.
Together, the competitions provided innovators with opportunities to present their projects to evaluators, gain international exposure, exchange knowledge, and connect with institutions involved in research, technology, education, and entrepreneurship.
IFIA Supports International Innovation in Latin America
InnovaCities is organized by ABIPIR – Brazil International Association of Innovative Inventors, Scientists and Entrepreneurs – and endorsed by the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA), under the support of IFIA President Alireza Rastegar.
The event forms part of the wider activities of the ABIPIR-IFIA LATAM Office, strengthening IFIA’s engagement with inventors, universities, innovation organizations, and entrepreneurship ecosystems throughout Latin America.
The overall coordination of the 2026 event was led by Mariangela Luckmann, Director of Education and Events at ABIPIR and the ABIPIR-IFIA LATAM Office.
Through its endorsement of international initiatives such as InnovaCities, IFIA continues to support platforms that connect inventors with global networks, encourage international cooperation, and increase the visibility of innovative solutions.
Four New MoUs Strengthen International Cooperation
An important outcome of the closing and awards ceremony was the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at expanding cooperation within the innovation ecosystem.
The agreements involved the BRICS Academy, represented by Lu Simon on behalf of BRICS Academy President Liu Zhenying, and ABIPIR, represented by its Founder and President Marcelo Vivacqua, with four institutions:
- UNILA – Federal University for Latin American Integration, represented by Rector Professor Diana Araujo Pereira
- IDESTUR – Institute for Tourism Development, represented by Founder Newton Paulo de Abreu Angeli
- UNIOESTE, represented by Sergio Moacir Fabriz, General Director of the Foz do Iguacu Campus
- Faculdade Uniguacu, represented by Fabio Corbari, Director of Expansion and Development and Coordinator of Research and Extension
These agreements represent an important step toward strengthening connections between academic institutions, innovation organizations, entrepreneurship networks, and international partners.
Recognizing Innovation and International Achievement
The closing ceremony also provided an opportunity to recognize outstanding projects through medals and certificates.
In addition, medals previously won by Brazilian innovators at the Silicon Valley International Invention Festival (SVIIF) in Santa Clara, California, were formally presented during the program.
The recognized Brazilian innovators were: Sol Andrea Gonzalez Tapia, Vitor Gabriel Cagol Escobar, Irene Cecilia Cagol, and Anatalicio dos Reis Silva.
This connection between InnovaCities and other international innovation platforms illustrates the growing opportunities available to Latin American innovators to present their work within global invention networks.
Connecting Education, Science, Technology and Entrepreneurship
The 2026 program also highlighted the growing international activities of UNIGUACU, which participated actively in InnovaCities and contributed to the organization of stages of international innovation competitions in partnership with ABIPIR and the BRICS Academy, with IFIA endorsement.
The initiative brought together researchers, inventors, students, entrepreneurs, and specialists from different countries, while activities continued during the Iguassu Valley Summit 2026.
This model strengthened the integration of education, science, technology, entrepreneurship, and regional development, while creating new opportunities for students, researchers, companies, and innovation stakeholders.
Strengthening Foz do Iguacu as an International Innovation Hub
Through InnovaCities 2026, Foz do Iguacu further strengthened its position as a meeting point for regional and international innovation.
The cooperation among universities, innovation organizations, businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers, and international networks demonstrates how regional ecosystems can become increasingly connected to global knowledge and technology communities.
For IFIA, supporting initiatives of this kind aligns with its mission of encouraging international cooperation, strengthening innovation ecosystems, and creating greater opportunities for inventors to connect their ideas with wider networks and practical applications.
Building Momentum Toward InnovaCities 2027
Following the successful conclusion of the 2026 edition, organizers are already looking ahead to InnovaCities 2027.
The continued international growth of the event, together with new institutional agreements and the expanding involvement of universities and innovation organizations, provides a strong foundation for further collaboration.
Through its continued endorsement of InnovaCities and the activities of the ABIPIR-IFIA LATAM Office, IFIA will continue supporting opportunities that connect inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs, and institutions across borders and contribute to innovation with meaningful social, technological, and economic impact.
Competition Results and Event Resources
BRICS Technological Innovation Competition Results: CLICK HERE
Regenerative Innovation Competition Results: CLICK HERE
Event Photo Gallery: CLICK HERE