Rio Grande do Sul provides a great opportunity for entrepreneurs with the opening of registrations for BRDE Labs RS 2023. This is the fourth edition of the program of the Regional Development Bank of the Far South (BRDE), which aims to connect and accelerate startups from various sectors with important companies in the State. The Hub One Porto Alegre, unit of Feevale Techpark in the state capital, received authorities and organizations partnerships to launch the program. This will be the third consecutive year in which the technology park will carry out BRDE Labs RS with its own methodology.
According to BRDE Planning Director Otomar Vivian, the acceleration program contributes to each new edition. “In addition to structuring startups, BRDE Labs offers something very important: the connection with the market” SAID the director.He also highlighted the collaboration between the public sector and academia, as well as the specific legislation that motivated an environment favorable to innovation in Rio Grande do Sul.
Paola Schaeffer, Director of Management and Innovation at the Secretariat of Innovation, Science and Technology (Sict), explains how much BRDE's connection with Feevale means through Feevale Techpark.For her, these actions are fundamental for startups to foster innovative ecosystems that provide growth and economic development in the State. She states that it is not just an acceleration program, but a qualified program.
The dean of Feevale, Cleber Prodanov, believes that it is essential to bring together different entities in search of a common goal.He highlighted that the partnership of Feevale with BRDE and Sict provides a great learning opportunity to improve processes, attention to companies and pedagogical work with students.“Initiatives will thus contribute to Rio Grande do Sul becoming a state of great entrepreneurs”, concluded Prodanov.
Focus on the administration and organization of startups.
BRDE will promote the 2023 program with a total of R$ 170 thousand in prizes. Four happy winners will be awarded as follows: the 1° placed will receive R$ 84,600; the 2° placed will earn R$ 42,300; the 3rd placed will be awarded R$ 26,400; and the 4th placed will receive R$ 15,800. The BRDE initiative has the function of helping companies in their management and structuring, in order to achieve their future goals, offering free training and encouraging the startups.
As part of the acceleration in Rio Grande do Sul, some of the main local companies have joined as partners of Feevale Tech. These anchors 'Altus, Aesc 'Hospital Mother of God, CCGL, Coester, Fida, Novus, Palterm, Santa Casa de Misericordia de Porto Alegre, TW Transportes, Vipal Rubbers and Xalingo 'not only share with participants their experiences as mentors in the program, but also propose challenges for them to solve.
Inscriptions
If you have a startup in Rio Grande do Sul interested in participating in BRDE Labs RS, the application must be performed through Feevale Techpark. Startups from all areas can register, provided they are already operating and have a functional prototype (MVP). The priority areas are Agribusiness, Health, Industry and Commerce and Services. If selected, startups will receive mentoring and face-to-face and online tutorials on applied methodology.
The 2022 edition of the program had more than 60 registrants in Rio Grande do Sul. Ten were chosen in the sectors of Health, Industry 4.0, Logistics, Fintechs and Environment to participate in the acceleration Feevale Techpark. At the end of the year, in an event promoted at the Eat Kitchen of Cais Embarcadero, in Porto Alegre, four startups won the program: TerraMares, Vent, Lauduz and InovaPictor. The bank offered R$ 160 thousand in prizes for the winners.
