Zero-Defect, specialized in software operational testing, chooses Canada to advance its international business
By Edmonton Global in partnership with Marcelo PicoloBrazilian tech company Zero-Defect has opened its doors in Canada, in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, and is already laying the groundwork for its North American expansion. The idea is to leverage Alberta’s expertise in innovation, along with the presence of major research centers focused on the sector, to scale its business beyond Brazil with logistical and technical support.
Specializing in quality assurance solutions that ensure a client’s software is rigorously tested before being released to the public, Zero-Defect has a proven track record serving the retail, insurance, and healthcare industries. The company has built a strong reputation for helping partners avoid costly defects in computer programs and mobile devices, with the goal of improving the user experience.
The expansion to Canada reflects a growing economic bridge between Brazil and the Edmonton region. This bilateral relationship, supported by the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (CCBC), also benefits from the broader efforts of Edmonton Global, which works to diversify markets and deepen ties with South America’s largest economy.
The company’s co-founders recently relocated to Edmonton to establish the Canadian subsidiary and access the federal Start-up Visa program. The strategic decision to base operations in Edmonton was driven by the region’s reputation as a vibrant and welcoming Canadian innovation ecosystem.
Zero-Defect was particularly drawn to the region’s leadership in artificial intelligence, anchored by the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), and sees strong potential for future collaboration as it seeks to expand its AI capabilities.
“We saw the Edmonton region as a place where we could launch a truly international business,” said Rafael Krug, founder and owner of Zero-Defect. “Being a Canadian company is an advantage when working with the North American market thanks to the trade agreements we can access and the strong global reputation of Canadian technology,” he added.
The company plans to use its Canadian presence to better serve North American clients, having previously faced challenges operating solely from Brazil. It expects its new identity as a Canadian company to open doors to partnerships and sales opportunities.
“We want to work with anyone who uses software,” Krug emphasized. “If it needs to be tested before being released to the public, we’re here to help.”
With a 25-person team already established in Brazil, Zero-Defect is preparing to hire its first Canadian employees. It plans to recruit two people within the next six months, focusing on sales development and enhanced AI-powered support.
The Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada is also providing full support to help Zero-Defect settle in Canada.
“As a strategic facilitator of this move, we’ve been working to promote the internationalization of Brazilian companies, connecting them to high-performance ecosystems such as Alberta’s,” said Viviane Ferran, Operations Manager at CCBC. “This expansion also reaffirms our commitment to fostering partnerships with companies that have high global impact potential, with a focus on technology, innovation, and sustainable development,” she added.
Brazil and Canada rank among the world’s top ten economies, sharing similar time zones and business cultures. In 2022, Brazil was the third-largest trading partner in the Americas and ranked among the top 15 countries worldwide for outbound foreign direct investment.
Edmonton Global has built strong connections with this market—hosting over 40 visits from Brazilian organizations since late 2022, leading four trade missions to Brazil, and working closely with the Canada-Brazil Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service in São Paulo.
As more Brazilian companies look to expand globally, the Edmonton region is positioning itself as a strategic landing point. Zero-Defect is among the pioneers of this growing connection.
