The ScaleUp in Brazil, acceleration program developed by ApexBrasil (Brazilian Agency for the Promotion of Exports and Investments) and ABVCAP (Brazilian Association of Private Equity and Venture Capital), recently launched its fifth edition to support international companies looking to expand their operations to Brazil. Thanks to the partnership with the Economic Mission of Israel in Brazil, Enterprise Singapore and JETRO – Japan External Trade Organization, the program today serves companies in Israel, Japan and Singapore. In this fifth edition, companies with ESG solutions received an extra score, making the climatech sectors, agritech and industry 4.0 had more selected
The program has four stages: in the first, foreign companies are introduced to the Brazilian market and learn the rules and laws of the country so that they understand, for example, what is needed to open a business and access talent. These companies also receive a customized market report for their sectors. At the end of this stage, they are evaluated by a panel of investors and corporations that select the 20 best companies to continue their acceleration process.
Next, startups undergo immersions with industry experts, business development and strategic planning consultants, pitch training and mentoring program. This stage is essential to prepare companies for the three-week trip to Brazil, scheduled to take place in May 2025. After the in-person immersion, the companies are monitored in the final stage of post-program support.
The list of 29 companies selected to participate in the first phase of the program:
- Adtech and Martech: Partpost
- Agritech: Fermata, Phenome Networks, Endophyte, and Yevul
- Automotive: AutoCoin and Oyika
- Climatech, energy transition & decarbonization: AC Biode, JB Energy – Japan Blue Energy, Marvin, Erevista, and NanoClear Water Solutions
- Cybersecurity: CloudWize, IronVest, and Multikol
- Fintech: Authlete and inabit tech
- Healthcare: Qritive e RescueDose
- Hub management: PitchBob.I
- Industry 4.0: IronComm, ARJeannie and Knowledge Navigator
- IT & Data infrastructure: APTO
- Retail: Commbox e My Bites
- Smart cities: Relyon (Safety Ecosystem ltd)
- Textile: PEEL Lab K.K. and Sonovia Technology
From Japan to Brazil. One ofcasesoriginating from ScaleUp in Brazil is CloudAce. The company originated in Japan and arrived in Brazil through the fourth edition of the program, in 2022. A startup operates with infrastructure for cloud content storage. Currently, CloudAce has a director and team in Brazil and is incubated at Cubo Itaú.
"The ScaleUp in Brazil plays a very relevant role in attracting these ideas so that they can settle and gain scale in Brazil, including with Brazilian teams". Our country has very specific issues and the stages of the program serve precisely to identify these companies, that even have synergy with initiatives from various Brazilian entrepreneurs, comment Ângela Ximenes, executive superintendent of ABVCAP.
The Investment Manager of ApexBrasil, Helena Brandão, highlighted the contribution of the program to Brazilian neoindustrialization. According to her, The ScaleUp program in Brazil is essential for driving digital transformation and innovation in the Brazilian industry, perfectly aligning with the New Industry Brazil Program. By prioritizing strategic sectors such as Cybersecurity, Climatech, Industry 4.0, IT & Data Infrastructure and Smart Cities, we are attracting international companies that bring innovative solutions and global expertise to establish themselves in the country. This initiative not only strengthens Brazil's competitiveness, but also promotes sustainable development and industrial modernization, benefiting the entire national economy
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ApexBrasil
ApexBrasil works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investments to strategic sectors, currently supporting around 15 thousand companies in 80 sectors of the Brazilian economy. Has also served more than 1.300 investors and more than 118 projects worth US$ 23 billion in announced investments in Brazil. The Agency is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) of Brazil, through which it has more than 120 offices worldwide, and works closely with other ministries, regulatory bodies and professional associations.
ABVCAP
The Brazilian Association of Private Equity and Venture Capital (ABVCAP) is a non-profit organization active since the year 2000, that aims to develop long-term investment activity in the country, and represents national and international institutions active in the Brazilian alternative assets industry, including private equity markets, venture and seed capital, private credit, infrastructure, real estate, natural resources and special situations, among others. As a representative entity of the private equity industry, ABVCAP advocates for the interests of industry members with public and private institutions, national and foreign, in search of increasingly favorable public policies to promote these investments in the country, for the benefit of the members and the real economy as a whole
Israel Trade & Investment
Israel Trade & Investment, São Paulo Office, it is part of the Foreign Administration of the Ministry of Economy of Israel – a network of over 50 offices around the world. Your goal is to connect opportunities, promote business and investment between Israeli and Brazilian companies in various sectors.
JETRO
JETRO, or "Japan External Trade Organization", it is an organization linked to the Japanese government that works to promote trade and mutual investments between Japan and the rest of the world. Originally founded in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad, the main focus of JETRO in the 21st century has shifted to promoting foreign direct investment in Japan and helping small and medium-sized Japanese companies maximize their global export potential.
Enterprise Singapore
Enterprise Singapore is the government agency that promotes business development in Singapore. Works with committed companies to build capabilities, innovate and internationalize. It also supports the growth of Singapore as a global trade and startup hub. As the body responsible for national standards, continues to build trust in Singapore's products and services through quality
