São Paulo, Brazil's vibrant financial and technology center, is the most populous city in Brazil and one of the most populated cities in the world. São Paulo is home to some of the best tech talents and talent nurturers globally. It is the central location for leading accelerators, incubators, and innovation programs aiming to catalyze growth for the next generation of disruptive innovation and technology. This guide explores São Paulo's leading accelerators and incubators that support startups in the ideation, launch, or growth phase.
Target Audience: Early-stage startup with an idea.
Niche: Industry Agnostic.
Startup Brasil is a government-supported initiative created by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Communications and managed by Softex that accelerates technology startups. It partners with accelerators and offers resources such as financial grants, visas for foreign professionals, and international networking opportunities. The program supports various sectors and provides significant exposure and development opportunities to participating startups to strengthen Brazil's tech ecosystem.
Target Audience: Early/Growth stage startup with an idea.
Niche: Industry Agnostic.
Startup Farm is a renowned accelerator that focuses on empowering entrepreneurs through a 6-months accelerator program called Ahead. The program includes intensive learning, revalidation of ideas, and ongoing support to help startups grow. They emphasize combining entrepreneurship and technology to transform innovative ideas into reality, having successfully run 29 acceleration programs and supported over 308 startups, which collectively raised over US$ 100 million in investments.
Target Audience: Early-stage startup with an idea.
Niche: Industry Agnostic
The Founder Institute, founded in 2009, is a global pre-seed startup accelerator program that helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into fundable startups and startups into global businesses. With wings across 100+ countries and over 5000+ companies worldwide, it offers structured programs that guide founders from the idea stage to early revenues, connecting them with a vast network of mentors, advisors, and investors. The Institute focuses on empowering diverse entrepreneurial talents to create impactful tech globally.
Target Audience: Early-stage startup with an idea.
Niche: Industry-agnostic, focused on technology and service innovation.
Oxigênio Aceleradora, supported by Porto Seguro, focuses on startups in the MVP stage or those beginning to gain market traction. It offers mentorship, strategic networking, and access to resources without equity requirements.
Target Audience: Early-stage social impact startups.
Niche: Healthcare and social innovation.
Neo Acelera is an accelerator that promotes active longevity through social and health innovations. It selects impact-driven businesses addressing aging challenges in Brazil and provides mentorship and potential funding.
Target Audience: Startups at various stages of growth.
Niche: Industry-agnostic, focusing on scalable business growth.
Leavening is an accelerator that supports startups in scaling their operations and provides comprehensive tools and resources for sustainable growth. It offers personalized mentorship from industry experts, investment opportunities to fund development, and strategic support in talent acquisition to build robust teams. Its approach is tailored to ensure that businesses at various growth stages can maximize their potential in a competitive market environment.
Target Audience: B2B startups with market-ready solutions.
Niche: Sustainable technologies and solutions in automotive, construction, and recycling industries.
Gerdau's Acceleration Program is a two-phase initiative in North America that helps startups increase revenue, explore new markets, and secure further investment. It provides tailored sales training, international business support, and access to a network of clients, suppliers, and partners without requiring equity.
Target Audience: Startups at various stages of growth.
Niche: Industry-agnostic, focusing on scalable business growth.
The Bakery focuses on helping high-potential startups solve major business challenges and quickly develop new products, services, and ventures. The accelerator program involves partnering with startups to create brand-new ventures in an entrepreneurial manner. The Bakery programs offer entrepreneurs and startups at all stages a fast track to revenue, investment, and product-market fit. With global connections across all sectors, The Bakery provides startups with an unparalleled network of corporate opportunities.
Target Audience: Startups at various stages of growth.
Niche: Industry-agnostic
Google for Startups is an accelerator program that helps startups and businesses grow and scale. It offers resources such as growth methodologies, mentorship, leadership training, technical support, and solutions to business challenges. Participants gain access to Google products, expertise, and insights, along with opportunities to network with Google experts, which aim to enhance their business capabilities and industry reach.
Target Audience: Impact-driven startups.
Niche: Social and environmental innovation.
Quintessa is an accelerator that empowers social and environmental impact businesses in Brazil. It offers personalized acceleration services and leverages a robust network of mentors and strategic partners to drive impact and financial results.
São Paulo is Brazil's home of innovation, with accelerators and incubators offering mentorship, guidance, access to funding, and an ideal environment for startups to thrive and grow.
You can access various tools and assistance by joining a business incubator or accelerator in Brazil. You also become part of a thriving community of entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers. If you're prepared to embark on an exciting entrepreneurial journey, Brazil's startup accelerators and incubators are ready to push you toward success.
Want to discover more accelerators and incubators from other countries? Check out the list below.
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