O ScaleUp in Brazil, an acceleration program developed by ApexBrasil (Brazilian Agency for Export and Investment Promotion) and ABVCAP (Brazilian Association of Private Equity and Venture Capital), recently launched its fifth edition to support international companies seeking to expand their operations to Brazil. Thanks to the partnership with the Israel Economic Mission in Brazil, Enterprise Singapore, and JETRO – Japan External Trade Organization, the program now serves companies from Israel, Japan, and Singapore. In this fifth edition, companies with ESG solutions received an extra score, resulting in more selections from the climatech, agritech, and Industry 4.0 sectors.
The program has four stages: in the first, foreign companies are introduced to the Brazilian market and learn the country's rules and laws so they understand, for example, what is needed to start 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 who select the top 20 companies to continue their acceleration process.
Next, startups undergo immersions with industry experts, business development consultants, strategic planning, pitch training, and mentorship programs. This stage is essential to prepare the companies for the three-week trip to Brazil, scheduled to take place in May 2025. After the in-person immersion, companies are supported in the final stage of post-program assistance.
The list of 29 companies selected to participate in the first phase of the program:
- Adtech and Martech: Partpost
- Agritech: Fermata, Phenome Networks, Endophyte, e Yevul
- Automotive: AutoCoin e Oyika
- Climatech, energy transition & decarbonization: AC Biode, JB Energy – Japan Blue Energy, Marvin, Erevista, e NanoClear Water Solutions
- Cybersecurity: CloudWize, IronVest, e Multikol
- Fintech: Authlete e inabit tech
- Healthcare: Qritive e RescueDose
- Hub management: PitchBob.io
- Industry 4.0: IronComm, ARJeannie e Knowledge Navigator
- IT & Data infrastructure: APTO
- Retail: Commbox e My Bites
- Smart cities: Relyon (Safety Ecosystem ltd)
- Textile: PEEL Lab K.K. e Sonovia Technology
From Japan to Brazil. One of thecasesThe originators of ScaleUp In Brazil are CloudAce. The company originates from 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.
"O ScaleUp in Brazil plays a very important role in attracting these ideas so they can establish themselves and scale in Brazil, including with Brazilian teams. Our country has very specific issues, and the program's stages are precisely designed to identify these companies, which even have synergy with initiatives from various Brazilian entrepreneurs," comments Ângela Ximenes, executive superintendent of ABVCAP.
ApexBrasil's Investment Manager, Helena Brandão, highlighted the program's contribution to Brazilian neo-industrialization. Second, she said, "the ScaleUp in Brazil program is essential to boost digital transformation and innovation in the Brazilian industry, aligning perfectly with the Nova Indústria Brasil 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 15,000 companies in 80 sectors of the Brazilian economy. It has also served more than 1,300 investors and over 118 projects worth US$ 23 billion in announced investments in Brazil. The Agency is part of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE), through which it has more than 120 offices worldwide, and works closely with other ministries, regulatory agencies, and professional associations.
ABVCAP
The Brazilian Association of Private Equity and Venture Capital (ABVCAP) is a non-profit organization active since 2000, aiming to develop long-term investment activities in the country, and representing national and international institutions active in the Brazilian alternative assets industry, including private equity, 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, both domestic and foreign, in pursuit of public policies increasingly favorable to the promotion of these investments in the country, for the benefit of its members and the real economy as a whole.
Israel Trade & Investment
Israel Trade & Investment, São Paulo Office, 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 investments between Israeli and Brazilian companies across various sectors.
JETRO
JETRO, or "Japan External Trade Organization," is an organization affiliated with the Japanese government that works to promote mutual trade and investments between Japan and the rest of the world. Originally founded in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad, JETRO's main focus in the 21st century 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 organization responsible for national standards, it continues to build trust in Singapore's products and services through quality.