Startup Brazil Connection Program

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A private sector-led networking platform facilitating connections between Brazilian startups and international innovation ecosystems to support internationalization and cross-border startup partnerships.
What are the main aims and objectives?

The Startup Brazil Connection Program aims to address market access barriers faced by Brazilian startups seeking to expand internationally and foreign startups interested in entering the Brazilian market. The initiative functions as a connectivity platform bringing together multiple innovation ecosystem actors—entrepreneurs, startups, investors, mentors, universities, accelerators, and government representatives—to facilitate knowledge transfer and business relationship development across geographic boundaries. The program's core objectives include connecting Brazilian startups with international business ecosystems and incubation networks worldwide; enabling the soft-landing (market entry) of foreign startups into Brazil; fostering networking and partnerships between startups from different countries on mutually beneficial terms; supporting the conversion of inventions into scalable startup ventures; facilitating access to venture capital and government startup funding programs; and generating wealth, employment, and improved quality of life through international startup collaboration. By leveraging international networks and partnership ecosystems, the program positions itself as a bridge between Brazilian entrepreneurial talent and global innovation opportunities.

How does the program work?

The Startup Brazil Connection Program operates as a networking and connectivity platform rather than a direct investment or acceleration program. The initiative functions through partnerships among multiple institutional actors including the International Federation of Inventors' Association (IFIA), the Brazil International Innovative Inventors, Scientists and Entrepreneurs Association (ABIPIR), and institutional partners including Hub Inovativa, Founders Institute Brazil, Iguassu Valley, Conecta International Business Consultancy, Parimpacto, and Iguassu Angels.​

The program's core operational mechanism is event-based programming and international engagement. It organizes and participates in international startup events and conferences where Brazilian and foreign startup communities connect, including activities at venues such as the Odisha Startups Carnival in India. The program brings together entrepreneurs, established startups, investors, mentors, traditional business owners, government representatives, and academic institutions into structured networking environments.​

Participation involves mentoring sessions from industry experts, investment readiness training, networking opportunities with successful entrepreneurs, business model development guidance, and support in understanding venture capital ecosystems. The program facilitates startup founder-to-founder learning and investor-startup matching through event-based formats rather than through formal acceleration curricula or systematic coaching processes.

The program model relies on partnerships with existing ecosystem players (incubators, accelerators, universities) and leverages established innovation networks rather than building independent institutional infrastructure, enabling faster implementation and broader reach.

What is the overall cost?

No available information. 

How was it implemented?

The Startup Brazil Connection Program emerged from institutional partnerships between international and Brazilian organizations with shared interests in supporting entrepreneurship and innovation. The initiative developed through collaboration between the International Federation of Inventors' Association (IFIA), which supports inventors and innovators globally, and the Brazil International Innovative Inventors, Scientists and Entrepreneurs Association (ABIPIR), a Brazilian-based professional organization.

Rather than through formal government establishment or legislation, the program was implemented through formation of partnerships with multiple ecosystem actors. These include innovation hubs (Hub Inovativa), accelerators (Founders Institute Brazil), angel investor networks (Iguassu Angels), regional innovation initiatives (Iguassu Valley), and consulting organizations specializing in international business (Conecta International Business Consultancy), plus Parimpacto as an operational partner.

The program's key figures include Marcelo Vivacqua representing IFIA in Latin America, Mr. Alireza Rastegar as President of IFIA, and Parimpacto Company as a partner organization with operational responsibility. 

What impact has been measured?

No available information. 

What lessons can be learned?
  • Lack of transparent impact measurement: The absence of published evaluations, outcome tracking, or performance metrics makes it impossible to assess whether the program achieves its stated objectives or generates meaningful returns for participants or stakeholders.​
  • Limited public information on program accessibility: Critical details regarding how entrepreneurs can access the program, eligibility criteria, geographic coverage, industry focus, and application procedures are not clearly documented, potentially creating barriers for entrepreneurs unaware of how to engage.​
  • Competition from better-funded government programs: Brasil operates within a competitive landscape including government-funded initiatives such as Conecta Startup Brasil (receiving R$90,000+ per startup and significant government funding) and Startup Brasil, which may attract more entrepreneur attention due to official status and greater financial resources.​
  • Dependence on volunteer/partnership contributions: Operating through partnerships with multiple organizations and volunteer participation may create inconsistency in service quality and availability, with sustainability risks if key partners change priorities or resources.​
  • Limited evidence of systematic support infrastructure: The program's apparent focus on event-based networking rather than systematic curriculum delivery, standardized support processes, or direct investment mechanisms raises questions about scalability and the depth of support provided to individual startups.​
  • Private sector positioning creates institutional challenges: As a private/NGO-led initiative without explicit government backing, the program faces challenges in accessing government funding or resources, achieving policy-level ecosystem change, ensuring long-term institutional continuity, and competing for entrepreneur attention against officially recognized government programs.​
  • Lesson for ecosystem connectivity: The program demonstrates that international networking platforms can be developed through partnerships with existing ecosystem actors without requiring new institutional infrastructure, enabling faster implementation and broader reach than government-only approaches.
Notes + Additional Context

About Start-Up Brazil:

It is a national startup acceleration program of the Brazilian Federal Government, created by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communication (MCTIC), managed by Softex and partnering with accelerators, to support new technology-based companies – the startups.

The program happens through year-long editions. Every edition may have up to two public call for entries: one to evaluate and train accelerators and another to select startups with rounds every semester.

Lear more, here.

CURATED BY

Leonardo Freitas

Deputy General Coordinator of Business Environments
Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications
Brazil