Scheduled for August 1-4, 2024, in Santa Rita do Sapucai, a town of 40,000 near São Paulo, Brazil, HackTown is gearing up for its 8th edition. Since its launch in 2016, this festival has become a significant event in Latin America, similar to Austin’s SXSW, by merging technology with creative industries and promoting international cultural exchanges. As the first tech hub in Latin America, hosting the region’s earliest tech school and research institute, Santa Rita do Sapucai provides a historically rich backdrop for innovation and development.
The transformation of Santa Rita do Sapucai began in the 1950s, driven by local visionary Luzia Moreira. Inspired by Albert Einstein’s prophecy that technology would define humanity’s future, Moreira invested her entire inheritance from a wealthy family background into establishing the region’s first technical school focused on electronics. This bold move laid the groundwork for a booming tech industry in Latin America. Moreira’s legacy continues to influence the area, providing a solid foundation for initiatives like HackTown, exemplifying the enduring impact of visionary leadership on technology and education.
Carlos Vilela, one of HackTown’s founders, emphasizes the festival’s pivotal role: “HackTown has become a crucial platform for showcasing Latin America’s innovative potential to the world. It’s not just a festival; it’s a convergence point where technology and creativity unite to shape the future. It advances Santa Rita do Sapucai’s long-standing vocation as a tech hub, continuing the legacy of innovation started in the 1950s and significantly contributes to the city’s development in the tech and creative sectors.”
HackTown’s reach extends beyond its immediate locale, drawing participants from throughout Brazil and from diverse regions such as other Latin American countries, Europe, Africa, and the US. Esteemed professionals from the realms of technology, business, and the arts, including executives from prominent corporations like Google, Amazon, and Spotify, convene at HackTown. This convergence of leaders solidifies the festival’s standing as a vital fixture within the global landscape of technology and creative industries.
Located near São Paulo, Brazil’s largest economy and a critical economic and cultural center in Latin America, the festival underscores the strategic importance of blending regional innovation with global trends, despite Brazil’s linguistic difference as a non-Spanish speaking country.
