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InovAtiva Brazil is a public initiative that aims to support and accelerate startups and innovative business projects across Brazil.
What are the main aims and objectives?

The primary aims of InovAtiva Brazil are centered around assisting entrepreneurs in the development of their business skills. This is achieved by providing extensive support to startups from all sectors and regions of Brazil, completely free of charge. Since its origins in 2013, this acceleration program was designed and articulated to become a public management tool that accelerates, connects, bring visibility and mentors startups throughout the national territory, without any cost, with the ultimate goal of strengthening and fostering the innovation ecosystem in Brazil. 

How does the program work?

Each edition of InovAtiva lasts for up to six months and selects up to 130 startups for the acceleration program, with two cycles carried out each year. 

The program acts on three fronts: 

  1. Training and skills: online courses, group mentoring and expert webinars, as well as face-to-face workshops on topics that are critical to startup success. 

  1. Mentoring: with the collaboration of private entrepreneurs and successful business leaders, who share experiences and give access to their networks. InovAtiva has a network over 500 professionals who volunteer to share their experiences and network. 

  1. Connection to investors: connection to angel investors, investment groups, and large companies seeking to engage in open innovation activities, etc. 

Once selected, the startups are provided with a comprehensive suite of resources and opportunities, including access to a vast network of mentors. These mentors offer their expertise and knowledge to help the startups refine their business strategy, develop their skills, and successfully implement their innovative ideas. 

Throughout the program, InovAtiva Brazil also facilitates connections to market and investment opportunities, providing the startups with the necessary tools and exposure to thrive in the business world. 

What is the overall cost?
InovAtiva Brazil receives funding from both Brazilian Service of Support for Micro and Small Enterprises (SEBRAE) and the Federal District Research and Innovation Support Foundation (FAPDF). However, it is not clear how much they receive annually from the available resources.  
How was it implemented?

InovAtiva Brasil was created in 2013 by the Ministry of Economy (at the time named the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade). In 2016, SEBRAE joined efforts with the Ministry of Economy. Currently, the program is coordinated by both entities, and executed by the CERTI Foundation. 

2013: Program launched by the Ministry of the Economy.   

2016:  SEBRAE joined efforts with the Ministry of Economy and became a co-managing agency, helping deliver the program's components across the country. 

2020: There program has already accelerated 1064 startups in all regions of the country, via 10 editions of the program. 

What impact has been measured?

Figures published in early 2020 revealed that the program had: 

  • Impacted +30,000 entrepreneurs. 

  • Submitted +10,000 projects.                 

  • Qualified +2,000 startups. 

  • 926 accelerated startups, which have already have been introduced to formal investors. 

What lessons can be learned?

InovAtiva is widely seen as an important actor within the Brazilian startup ecosystem. In 2019, InovAtiva ranked first in the Top 10 Ecosystem ranking of the 100 Open Startups publication, which is used as a reference by large corporations and investors. In 2017, the program was chosen by the OECD as an international benchmark for innovation in the public sector, and in 2016, the program was elected the Best Accelerator in the country by the Brazilian Association of Startups (Abstartups). 

'InovAtiva Brasil' is part of Brazil 4.0, a four-pronged strategy to promote the modernization of companies by fostering innovation, digitization and managerial skills (see presentation attached). 

CURATED BY

Igor Nazareth

Undersecretary for Innovation
MINISTRY OF THE ECONOMY OF BRAZIL
Brazil