Top Emerging Companies to Watch 2026
Business Fortune

In a world where premium food brands are increasingly defined not only by what they serve but by the stories, values, and experiences they create around every product, Vero Latte Gelato has established itself as a distinctive name in Brazil’s artisan dessert landscape, bringing together the timeless discipline of Italian gelato-making with the creativity, warmth, and cultural richness of Brazilian gastronomy. Founded in 2014 in São Paulo by Mariana Galvao, a former lawyer who chose to leave the legal profession behind to pursue her lifelong passion for gastronomy and train as an international chef, Vero Latte was never conceived simply as another business venture; it emerged from a deeply personal desire to create food that could be enjoyed with complete confidence, transparency, and pride, particularly by the people who mattered most to her. The journey began when Mariana became a mother and started looking more critically at the ingredients used in many desserts offered to children, ultimately asking herself a simple but powerful question: what kind of dessert would she be proud to serve to her own daughters? That question became the foundation of Vero Latte, inspiring a philosophy centered on genuine ingredients, uncompromising quality, authenticity, and the belief that indulgence should never have to come at the expense of integrity.
The first expression of that philosophy came during her daughter’s birthday celebration, when Mariana introduced Vero Latte’s inaugural flavors, Brigadeiro, Pistachio, and Strawberry. What started as a personal gesture quickly generated an enthusiastic response from family, friends, and guests, revealing the potential for something much larger. From that moment, Vero Latte began evolving into a premium artisan gelato brand with a clear purpose: to transform dessert into an experience rooted in craftsmanship, emotion, and exceptional taste. Today, the company continues to be guided by the same principles that shaped its beginnings, developing products that are designed to deliver genuine pleasure while respecting the integrity of the ingredients and the traditions behind them. For Vero Latte, gelato is not simply a sweet conclusion to a meal; it is an invitation to slow down, connect with others, celebrate important occasions, and create memories through flavor. This philosophy has allowed the brand to occupy a distinctive position at the intersection of food, luxury, lifestyle, and fashion, creating bespoke experiences for an increasingly sophisticated audience and collaborating with globally recognized names including Tiffany, L’Occitane, Gucci, and Adidas.
Vero Latte’s identity is shaped by showcasing profound respect for Italian gelato tradition, expressed through meticulous technique and an unwavering attention to the quality of every ingredient. The company carefully selects premium ingredients and follows a slow maturation process, while intentionally avoiding excessive aeration, resulting in a denser and creamier texture that allows flavors to emerge with greater intensity and clarity. Yet, while Italian craftsmanship provides the foundation, Vero Latte does not treat tradition as a limitation. Instead, the brand sees authenticity as a starting point from which innovation can flourish, bringing together the precision of Italian techniques with Brazilian creativity and carefully chosen ingredients to develop flavors that feel both familiar and unexpected. Every creation is conceived to tell a story, celebrate a relationship, commemorate an experience, or reflect the identity of a partner, whether that inspiration comes from a luxury fashion house, a celebrated chef, a real estate development, or a cherished family tradition.
The ability to combine culinary excellence with cultural storytelling has become one of Vero Latte’s defining strengths, enabling the São Paulo-based company to move beyond the conventional boundaries of an artisan gelato business and become a creative partner for brands seeking memorable ways to connect with their audiences. Its collaborations demonstrate how food can become part of a broader brand experience, where flavor, presentation, design, and emotion work together to create something that extends well beyond the product itself. Behind every creation is Mariana Galvao’s original conviction that premium food should be made with honesty and purpose, and that innovation is most meaningful when it remains connected to genuine craftsmanship. As Vero Latte continues to grow, its story remains closely tied to the personal mission that started it all: creating desserts that Mariana could confidently share with her own family and, in doing so, creating experiences that families, brands, and communities can share with one another.
In this exclusive conversation with Business Fortune, Mariana Galvao reflects on the remarkable journey from leaving a career in law to building a premium artisan gelato company, the personal values that continue to shape Vero Latte’s evolution, and the delicate balance between preserving Italian tradition and embracing Brazilian creativity.
Your product portfolio ranges from artisan gelatos and bombom gelados to Gran Gelato desserts. How do you decide which products to develop, and what role does customer feedback play in that process?
Every product begins with a question: how can we transform a special moment into an unforgettable experience?
Our portfolio has naturally evolved to accompany different occasions—from our artisan gelatos and signature bombom gelados to Gran Gelato desserts designed for sharing. Customer feedback is essential, but we also pay close attention to lifestyle changes and emerging consumer expectations. We continuously study new ingredients, wellness trends, presentation formats, and premium experiences.
Many of our most successful creations were born through collaborations with clients seeking exclusive flavors that reflected their brands, values, or special events.
Vero Latte also serves social and corporate events with its customized gelato carts. How has this service helped strengthen your brand, and what makes the experience unique for event organizers and guests?
Our gelato carts transformed Vero Latte from a dessert brand into an experience brand. We realized people weren’t simply looking for great gelato—they wanted memorable moments. Every event is carefully customized to reflect the client’s identity, whether it’s a wedding, luxury corporate event, product launch, or private celebration. Our carts become part of the event’s aesthetic while our gelato creates an emotional connection among guests. It is a sophisticated yet welcoming experience that often becomes one of the most memorable moments of the celebration.
Every growing food and beverage brand faces challenges. What have been some of the biggest obstacles in scaling Vero Latte while preserving the handcrafted quality that defines your products?
One of our greatest challenges has been growing without compromising our standards. Rather than expanding aggressively, we intentionally chose sustainable growth. We even reduced the number of retail partners to maintain complete control over product quality and customer experience. Every recipe is developed with meticulous attention to detail, and our production is supported by food engineering expertise to ensure consistency while preserving artisan craftsmanship.
For us, long-term brand value will always be more important than rapid expansion.
The premium dessert market continues to evolve with changing consumer preferences. How is Vero Latte embracing innovation in flavors, ingredients, customer experience, and product development to stay ahead of industry trends?
Innovation at Vero Latte is guided by purpose rather than trends. Consumers increasingly seek transparency, wellness, and authentic experiences. In response, we’ve developed collections with reduced sugar, plant-based alternatives, functional ingredients, and recipes that prioritize clean labels without sacrificing indulgence. We also invest in collaborations with luxury brands, exclusive flavor collections, personalized experiences, and product formats that surprise customers while remaining faithful to our identity. For us, innovation means elevating the emotional connection people have with dessert.
In your opinion, how is Vero Latte contributing to raising the standards of Brazil’s artisanal gelato industry, and what impact do you hope the brand will have in the years ahead?
I believe Vero Latte demonstrates that premium gelato can be built upon transparency, craftsmanship, and purpose rather than simply following market trends. We have helped introduce consumers to authentic gelato made with carefully selected ingredients and traditional techniques, while showing that innovation and authenticity can coexist beautifully.
Looking ahead, I hope Vero Latte continues inspiring a culture that values quality over quantity and encourages people to reconnect with real food, meaningful experiences, and the joy of sharing.
Looking ahead, what is your long-term vision for Vero Latte Gelato, and what exciting developments, products, or expansion plans can customers and partners expect in the future?
Our long-term vision is to transform Vero Latte into an internationally recognized premium lifestyle brand. We want to take the Italian art of living well—combined with Brazilian creativity—to customers around the world through exclusive products, strategic collaborations, and unforgettable experiences. We are continuously developing new collections, premium partnerships, healthier product lines, and innovative dessert concepts that combine gastronomy, design, wellness, and storytelling. Ultimately, our goal is not simply to sell gelato but to create lasting memories through every bite.
About ꟾ Mariana Galvão
Mariana Galvão is the Founder and CEO of Vero Latte Gelato, a Brazilian premium artisan gelato brand recognized for combining authentic Italian techniques with innovation, sophisticated design, and carefully selected ingredients.
Originally trained as a lawyer, Mariana later followed her passion for gastronomy, earning international culinary training before founding Vero Latte in 2014. Her mission was inspired by motherhood and the desire to create desserts she could confidently serve her own family.
Today, she leads the brand’s product development, creative direction, and strategic partnerships, believing that food has the power to create meaningful memories and elevate everyday experiences.