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Today, we are going to embark on an exciting journey through the world of internationalization of technology scaleups. If you are passionate about innovation, business, and global expansion, this article is for you. We will explore the case of Pix Force and how it has been conquering the international market. Get ready for an engaging read!
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Internationalization: What Does It Mean?
Before we dive deep into Pix Force's story, it is important to understand what exactly “internationalization” means. It is like taking a step beyond national borders and bringing your solutions to the world. It is like a little fish's leap into the vast global ocean, facing challenges and reaping rewards.
Difference Between Internationalization and Globalization
The internationalization and globalization of companies are two distinct concepts, despite their similarity. Internationalization refers to a company's entry into the foreign market, which can include the marketing of products and services outside its local or domestic market, the import of products, and the creation of strategic alliances with foreign companies.
Internationalization
Internationalization is the process by which a company expands its operations into foreign markets. This involves selling products and services outside of its domestic market. Internationalization can occur in various ways, such as exporting products, opening branches abroad, establishing joint ventures with foreign companies, and much more.
The goal of internationalization is to seize growth opportunities in international markets. Companies seek new sources of revenue and customers in other countries.
Globalization
Globalization, in turn, is a broader and more comprehensive phenomenon. It is not limited only to business expansion abroad, but involves a deep integration of economic, cultural, and production aspects on a global scale.
Globalization is driven by the interconnection of global markets and advancements in information and communication technology. It is not restricted only to businesses, but affects all aspects of society, from culture to politics and the economy.
It can be said that both words align with Pix Force's expansion purpose. This is because internationalization means implementing a significant innovation within the industry. And this optimizes and affects economic and production aspects on a global scale. The brand's purpose of freeing people from time-consuming, dangerous, or grueling tasks is something the brand wishes to implement globally, as part of the culture generated by AI.
Global Recognition | Key to Internationalization
Our successful journey does not go unnoticed. With numerous awards and participations in renowned events, we have earned our place in industry 4.0
Awards and Events
Global Tech Innovator Brazil 2023, by KPMG
In September, Pix Force was elected the winner of the Global Tech Innovator Brazil 2023 by the giant KPMG. This highly relevant award in the innovation segment is recognition of our commitment to excellence and sustainability. This is just one step in our exciting journey. The next steps will take us to Lisbon, in early November, where we will share our solutions in the global stage of the competition.
ATCE Startup Village
At the event organized by SPE, Society of Petroleum Engineers, ATCE Startup Village, we won the Best in Show and People’s Choice awards in recognition of our work.
The accolades came from industry leaders, outstanding engineers, and venture capital investors. The competition attracted 75 talented applicants, and only the top 10 had the opportunity to present their ideas in San Antonio, Texas.
“This means a lot and shows that we are on the right track,” said Renato Gomes, Co-Founder and President of Pix Force, when asked what it meant to be recognized by industry peers. “These are not just any peers — they are some of the key engineers and venture capital people. It’s like a little nudge - keep going, because you’re heading in the right direction.”
The internationalization of Pix Force is an increasingly evident reality and this award is a major validation in this regard.
ADIPEC
ADIPEC, Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference is an annual exhibition held in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, which promotes debates on changes in the oil and gas sector, with a special focus on the energy transition.
Pix Force, among other Brazilian companies, was carefully selected by Apex Brasil, our internationalization partner.
On this occasion, we also presented an important paper prepared by the team and titled “Optimizing Industrial Risk Management Through AI and No-Code Platform: A Global Solution for the Oil and Gas Industry”. It was prepared by 7 authors from our team of specialists and very well received in the United Arab Emirates.
Partners
Apex
Pix Force has established a strategic partnership with ApexBrasil, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency. This partnership is a significant step in Pix Force's journey, allowing its innovative products and services to reach international markets.
ApexBrasil plays a crucial role in the mission of attracting foreign investments to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. This collaboration demonstrates the excellence of Brazilian technology on the international stage.
SynerLeap
The partnership between Pix Force and SynerLeap represents a significant milestone in Pix Force's journey towards excellence and innovation. SynerLeap offers not only valuable mentorships, but also strategic investments and exclusive access to ABB's vast network, customers, and technology. ABB, Asea Brown Boveri, is a renowned multinational company headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, which stands out in power and automation technologies.
The collaboration with SynerLeap provides Pix Force with the opportunity to further strengthen its market position, leveraging ABB's expertise and resources to drive technological innovations that will shape the future of the industry.
Sectors
Oil and Gas
Pix Force's performance in the oil and gas sector represents a strategic step in its internationalization journey. By offering computer vision and artificial intelligence solutions to this highly specialized sector, the company plays a key role in optimizing processes, safety, and efficiency.
Pix Force's partnership with companies in the oil and gas sector not only strengthens the company's presence in international markets, but also demonstrates its commitment to driving digital transformation in one of the world's most challenging industries. This strategic relationship is a clear example of how Brazilian technological innovation is gaining global prominence and contributing to the progress of the oil and gas industry at an international level.
Energy
Pix Force's performance in the energy sector is a major boost to its internationalization. Through this strategic partnership with energy sector companies worldwide, Pix Force not only contributes to the transition to cleaner energy sources, but also expands its global presence. This demonstrates Pix Force's commitment to leading the digital transformation of the energy sector on an international level, promoting efficiency and sustainability.
Solutions
Pix Safety
Pix Safety plays a vital role in Pix Force's internationalization process. As a solution that promotes safety in industrial environments, it not only raises safety standards in industries worldwide, but also positions Pix Force as a global leader in safety technology.
As internationalization progresses, Pix Safety opens doors in foreign markets, where safety is a key priority. It not only meets customer needs, but also bolsters Pix Force's reputation as a trusted and innovative computer vision and artificial intelligence company. Ultimately, Pix Safety is an important pillar in Pix Force's journey towards global excellence and international success.
Pix Grid
Pix Grid, an innovative solution from Pix Force, plays a fundamental role in the company's internationalization through the energy sector. By optimizing energy distribution and improving the operational efficiency of power grids, Pix Grid not only drives the modernization of energy infrastructures in foreign markets, but also creates opportunities for global collaboration. The enhanced efficiency and reliability offered by Pix Grid are attractive to energy companies worldwide looking to improve their operations and meet growing sustainability demands.
Pix Force's Path to Internationalization
Before Internationalization
The history of Pix Force began in 2016, out of the need the two partners saw to bring to market an automated way to analyze images of large forest areas. The first idea was to build drones to perform this inspection. But with the Chinese dominance in the sector, it became difficult to compete. That was when they thought they could use images captured by drones - and other equipment - for automatic data reading. After succeeding in the forestry sector, they expanded the use of Computer Vision to other areas such as mining, the electricity sector, highways, the oil
and gas sector, among others.
Recognition and Achievements up to Internationalization
Until mid-2023, the company was nominated for a series of awards and notable achievements, including the Finep Space Award in 2023, the title of TOP #1 in the AI category in the Brazil 100 Open Startups Ranking in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018, as well as international recognition through winning the Startup Germany Tour and its participation in the Chicago Cycle - International Mission in 2022, starting a gradual process of internationalization.
In addition, Pix Force won the Petrobras Connections for Innovation Challenge and participated in R&D+I projects from ANEEL and ANP, consolidating its position as a leader in Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence in Brazil and drawing the market's attention.
From Start Up to Scale Up
Pix Force is a shining example of how a company can transition from a startup to a scaleup. And here are the fundamental differences between a start-up and a scale-up in the context of innovation and business growth.
• Startup: A startup is an early-stage company, typically newly created, seeking to develop an innovative business model. They often operate under conditions of uncertainty and with limited resources. The main focus of a startup is to find a product or service that meets a market need and can be scaled.
• Scaleup: A scale-up, on the other hand, is a company that has passed the initial stage and is ready to grow rapidly. They have already validated their business model and have a product or service that is gaining market acceptance. The goal of a scale-up is to scale its operations, expanding into new markets or substantially increasing its customer base.
The main difference between the two lies in the stage of development and readiness for growth. Startups are more focused on experimenting and validating their ideas, while scaleups are ready to grow consistently. Both play an important role in the innovation ecosystem, but their goals and challenges are different.
Launches Parallel to Internationalization
Among Pix Force's clients are Petrobras, CPFL, Cemig, and Shell. Reaching a revenue of 12 million reais in 2023, the goal is to hit 16 million reais in revenue next year. The main strategy will be to consolidate the products launched this year.
Why internationalize?
For a technology Scale Up, this means taking its expertise to different parts of the world. The reasons to internationalize are diverse:
• Access to New Markets: Expanding into new countries can open doors to a broader and potentially less saturated audience compared to the local market.
• Diversification: Internationalization can reduce dependence on a single market, making the company more resilient to economic fluctuations.
• Innovation: New markets often demand innovative solutions, encouraging the company to remain at the forefront of technology.
The brand's purpose of freeing people from time-consuming, dangerous, or exhausting tasks is something the brand wishes to implement globally, as part of the culture generated by AI.
Internationalizing is possible, especially for Scale Ups
Companies face a world of economic uncertainty and instability in their home countries. In a dynamic scenario like Brazil's, expanding into international markets has become a crucial strategy to ensure business solidity, regardless of size and sector.
The Internationalization Movement
A study conducted by Fundação Dom Cabral reveals an intense movement of domestic companies looking to invest abroad. Surprisingly, of the more than 150 companies interviewed, 70% plan to enter different countries from the ones they operate in today within the next two years. Furthermore, around 80% of companies that already have an international presence plan to expand even further.
Myths About Brand Internationalization
One of the most common misconceptions when talking about global performance is the belief that only large companies are capable of successfully accessing the foreign market. In 2021, among the businesses supported by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), 53% were small and medium-sized. This demonstrates that internationalization is not exclusive to large corporations.
Internationalization Strategies
Internationalization strategies vary widely. Some companies are born with an export mindset from the start, as in the case of Pix Force, while others discover opportunities abroad to avoid economic crises. The information technology sector has played a key role in this scenario, boosting services exports by more than 70% in 2021 compared to 2020.
Pix Force has been part of this figure for many years and has been reaping the rewards of this global mindset and comprehensive, versatile operations. Pix Force's internationalization process is an exciting and inspiring journey. Through its computer vision and artificial intelligence solutions, the company is crossing borders and shaping the future of the industry globally. The strategic partnership with key sectors, such as energy and oil and gas, as well as with renowned organizations, such as ApexBrasil and SynerLeap, demonstrates Pix Force's commitment to leading digital transformation.
As we expand our global presence, we invite you to be part of this journey with us. Learn more about our solutions, such as Pix Safety and Pix Grid, which are revolutionizing industries worldwide.
Click here to learn more about how we are transforming the world with cutting-edge technology.

Fabio Caraça
Fábio Caraça is the Chief Growth Officer at Pix Force. He leads Pix Force's transformation into a scalable SaaS operation, combining strategic vision, culture, and high-impact execution.


