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I have always believed that real innovation is about connecting people, ideas, and the courage to think bigger. With that in mind, I am excited to launch The SOSA Code, a podcast that gives voice to the leaders shaping Brazil’s innovation landscape. In our very first episode, I had the privilege of welcoming Daniel Moczydlower, president and CEO of Embraer-X, for an honest conversation about leadership, transformation, and how open innovation is changing the game for Brazilian companies.

From the very beginning, my goal for The SOSA Code has been to bring our community the stories and insights that make a real impact. In this conversation, Daniel shares his own journey, from building innovation programs in global companies to creating one of the most forward-thinking environments at Embraer. Our discussion is more than a look at strategy; it is a blueprint for what is possible when we make space for learning, risk, and new partnerships.

Make, buy, or partner: Embraer’s approach to building innovation

Throughout the episode, Daniel describes how Embraer transformed its culture to embrace new ways of working. Today, the company moves beyond the traditional “do it yourself” mentality. They challenge teams to decide whether to make, buy, or partner for each new opportunity. This mindset gives Embraer the flexibility to find the best solutions, whether those come from inside the company or through collaborations with global startups and technology providers.

Daniel shared an insight that resonates with every innovation leader:

“No matter how strong your internal team, there is always more intelligence outside your company than inside.”

This belief has led Embraer to partner with new players, build spin-offs like Eve Air Mobility, and connect directly with the global tech ecosystem. The results speak for themselves.

Building a culture of learning, diversity, and bold leadership

Innovation thrives where leaders value diversity of thought and the courage to try new approaches. Daniel reflects on his time leading engineering at Embraer, where he built teams from different backgrounds and encouraged everyone to learn from mistakes and move quickly. Whether launching new business lines or bringing new technologies to market, he highlights the importance of staying open to ideas that challenge the status quo.

The SOSA advantage: delivering real results through open innovation

In my work at SOSA, I see how the right partnerships can move companies forward faster. Daniel’s experience with SOSA shows the practical value of this approach. Even for a leader like Embraer, access to SOSA’s global network and proven methodology uncovered new opportunities that were not visible before.

Daniel described it like this:

“SOSA is one of the best at open innovation globally. The way you structure projects, understand client needs, and bring methodology gives any company a head start. Even for a mature company like Embraer, it’s impressive to see the global perspective and unexpected solutions that SOSA puts on the table.”

For us at SOSA, our mission is to make these connections real. We have teams on the ground in New York, Frankfurt, Singapore, and São Paulo. Our focus is to bring Brazilian corporates and public institutions closer to the best technologies and strategies worldwide, always with an eye toward results.

Open innovation: survival and impact for brazil

At SOSA, I see every day how much Brazil has to offer the world of innovation. Our country is filled with vibrant hubs, world-class companies, and leaders determined to make a difference. The question I ask, alongside partners like Daniel, is how we connect these “islands of excellence” to unlock even greater results through collaboration.

For Brazil to lead globally and move up in the Global Innovation Index, I believe open innovation needs to be a core part of our strategy. This approach is essential for productivity, job creation, and economic growth.

As Daniel said during our conversation,

“Brazil can’t afford to rely on old models or to innovate only behind closed doors. The smartest countries, like Switzerland, Israel, and Singapore, succeed because they collaborate, cross borders, and leverage the best knowledge and technology, wherever it’s found.”

I see this in practice through programs we lead at SOSA, in partnership with CNI and SEBRAE. These initiatives are already giving Brazilian companies direct access to global best practices, new markets, and breakthrough solutions.

“We’ve seen firsthand how open innovation programs, like those SOSA runs with CNI and SEBRAE, give companies a real shortcut to global best practices, new markets, and breakthrough solutions. This is how companies and countries leapfrog the competition.”

I know that taking the next step will require bold decisions, more appetite for risk, and a mindset that treats every challenge as an opportunity to learn. For me, being open means multiplying our intelligence as a nation and accelerating growth across every sector.

Daniel closed with a message I believe all of us should keep in mind:

“Disruption is now a fact for every sector. If you think you’re safe, you’re probably not paying attention. Open innovation is how companies and countries survive and thrive in the new economy.”

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Don’t miss the conversation—watch the full episode now