What is a microecosystem? Model that replaces traditional companies gains strength around the world and in Brazil

The traditional model of company is with the days numbered. The statement is from Filipe Bento, founder and CEO of the Atomic Group, but reflects a trend observed in innovation centers in Silicon Valley, China and Europe, in which the future of business is not to grow by inflating structures, but rather to connect strategically in intelligent value creation networks.

A microecosystem is a network of living connections, formed by entrepreneurs, experts, channels, startups, platforms and communities, united by a clear purpose and able to share value, learning and results on an ongoing basis.

While traditional ecosystems still maintain a central command structure (with startups and partners orbiting a large corporation), microecosystems eliminate centralization and operate in a distributed, collaborative, and agile manner.

“The microecosystem grows with or without the founder because it relies on collective intelligence and shared purpose, not rigid hierarchies”, explains Filipe Bento, CEO of Atomic Group.

Bento explains why the microecosystem is better suited to the current market:“The global market is living an era of decentralization and artificial intelligence, in which companies need to scale quickly and flexibly to meet more demanding and dynamic consumers”.

Traditional companies face bottlenecks such as rigid hierarchical structures, slowness to innovate, and difficulty scaling without inflating costs.

Microecosystems allow: scale without structural weight, using smart partnerships instead of massive hires; continuous innovation, as each member contributes with insights and solutions; resilience, since risks are shared in a network; and speed of execution, because decisions flow without bureaucracy.

In practice, a microecosystem is structured through strategic connections. Startups bring innovation and agility; experts offer technical knowledge and mentoring; channels and platforms enable distribution and scale; and communities help build culture and validate solutions in the market.

The founder acts as an orchestrator, connecting the dots, sustaining the vision and taking care of the culture, but he does not have to be the center of all operations or command micromanagement.“O entrepreneur no longer wants to be a structure owner.Want to be the owner of” results, summarizes Filipe Bento.

Market trend in 2025

Collaborative network models, such as microecosystems and co-creation platforms, are gaining momentum in Brazil, driving innovation and efficiency in different sectors. Although there is no consolidated value only for these models, they integrate a market that moved R$ 98 billion in 2024, considering startups, innovation hubs and corporate venture, according to data from Endeavor and ABStartups.

In the first quarter of 2024, only Brazilian startups received US$ 1.24 billion in contributions, according to data from the District.

“This shows that more and more companies are migrating from traditional acquisitions to partnership and co-creation models, characteristic of microecosystems, due to the flexibility and speed that” offers, the executive highlights. 

Globally, market reports show that ecosystem models in networks grow much faster than isolated companies, especially in the artificial intelligence, health, retail and fintech sectors.

CB Insights report (2024) confirms the trend, registering a growth of 27% in global venture capital, consolidating the role of microecosystems as a foundation for the new innovation economy in Brazil and worldwide.

Atomic Group, for example, operates under this model: a network that connects seven companies, operating in acceleration, education, venture building and technology, with a presence on five continents and a goal of earning R$ 35 million in 2025.

The group maintains lean teams, prioritizes connections and co-creation, reducing risks and accelerating results. In addition, flows are agile, adapting group initiatives to changes in the market without stalling operations.

“Leaders need to understand that the concept of microecosystem is a paradigm shift for companies that want to thrive in the post-industrial” economy, he says.

There are numerous advantages of the microecosystem for business, such as scalability without structural weight; the ability to constantly innovate; the reduction of risks and fixed costs; the strengthening of brand through strategic partnerships; the capture and retention of talent by purpose, not only by salary; and the speed and flexibility to pivot in the face of crises and opportunities.

Next steps

Filipe Bento prepares the launch of the book Microecosystems, with a compiled of the practices and frameworks needed to adopt the model. “We are not just talking about another management fashion.We are talking about an inevitable path for those who want to grow in a connected, intelligent and collaborative market. The future of business will be the microecosystemS”.