A Startup Arena stands out as one of the most vibrant spaces at Bett Brasil 2026, connecting ideas and solutions designed to keep pace with digital transformations in the education sector.

With free admission, the event features a program that brings together lectures, panel discussions, and opportunities for exchange that foster dialogue among different stakeholders in the startup ecosystem, promoting strategic connections and broadening perspectives on contemporary challenges in education.

Among the highlights, the panel “From Misinformation to Deepfakes: How AI Is Changing Trust in Schools” addresses one of today’s most pressing issues. The expansion of generative artificial intelligence and the rise of deepfakes are already having a direct impact on the school environment, raising questions about digital identity, security, youth culture, and assessment.

During the session, Francisco Tupy, who holds a Ph.D. from the University of São Paulo with a focus on video games, will discuss how these technologies are being used, the risks involved, and possible approaches for startups and educators to act responsibly, creatively, and strategically in this new landscape.

Artificial intelligence also takes center stage in the panel discussion “Successful Integration of AI in the Classroom: Barriers and Best Practices to Boost Learning Outcomes.” The discussion is based on concrete data regarding the use of this technology by Brazilian educators, addressing its impact on student engagement, academic performance, and classroom effectiveness.

The panel will be moderated by Melanie Tagg, Principal Analyst and Head of Education at Futuresource Consulting; Rodrigo Pimentel, Director of Google for Education LATAM; and Roberta Freitas, an expert in educational technology.

Another highlight will be the session “AI Beyond the Hype: Real-World Use Cases in Education,” which will feature Allan Macedo, Director of Solutions at NuageIT, and Helio Soares, Education Architecture Lead at AWS.

The panel “From Strategy to Pedagogy: How Artificial Intelligence and Educational Technologies Can Enhance Learning” will feature Arioston Rodrigues, Educational Technologies Manager at SESI–DN, and Rafael Alves da Silva, a faculty member at SESI–BA.

Another highlight is the session “Network-Based Co-Creation: Building a Pedagogical Innovation Thesis for Marista Brasil,” which presents a case study of large-scale transformation. The initiative demonstrates how a network of more than 90 schools collaboratively structured its Pedagogical Innovation Thesis, incorporating research, active listening, and co-creation. The project mobilized educational leaders from across the country to transform strategic reflections into concrete guidelines, highlighting the role of collaboration in building sustainable educational solutions.

The discussion will feature the coordinators of the Tecnopuc Education Hub (EduX), Karen Sica and Carolina Eichenberg, and Iranilson Lima, educational director of the Marist Schools Network of Brazil.

• Check out the full schedule here.

The initiative also includes an exhibition area featuring more than 20 startups offering educational solutions. Bett Startups is sponsored by NUAGE/AWS, SESI, and SENAI.

Bett Brasil EdTech Awards

The Bett Startups Arena will also host the 2nd edition of the Bett Brasil EdTech Awards, an awards program that recognizes innovative solutions addressing the key challenges of contemporary education.

The finalist startups will present their pitches live—with a five-minute presentation followed by questions from the judges—on May 5 and 6 at 3:30 p.m. The awards ceremony will take place on May 7 at 5:00 p.m., celebrating initiatives that stand out for their relevance, impact, and potential for transformation.

The Bett Brasil EdTech Awards are organized by Bett Brasil, with support from the Significare Institute and technical partnership from the Tiradentes Innovation Center (TIC).

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