The Handsfree Institute will compete at the startups world cup with a device that allows people with physical disabilities to control equipment with head movement
The Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES) supports Instituto Handsfree, a startup based in Jaboatão dos Guararapes, in Pernambuco, which will represent Brazil in the Creative Business Cup (CBC), the startups' World Cup, held annually in Denmark. The competition, one of the main showcases for innovative businesses in the world, will take place in Copenhagen on 16 November.
Handsfree has developed a low-cost device that allows people with severe physical disabilities to control any equipment, such as cell phones and computers, only through head movements. The project was selected by a team of 31 jurors from different sectors, following the criteria established both by the Creative Business Cup, as creativity and market potential, and by the OpenCity Lab, which elected businesses that were inserted in one of its nine pillars of performance (infrastructure, mobility, education, well-being, urban ecology, business, the right to the city, housing and urban tribes).
For the president of ABES, Francisco Camargo, having a Brazilian initiative elected to participate in the Creative Business Cup is important for the country to stand out among the global players. "Innovative and inclusive projects, such as the one from Handsfree, strengthen the sector's development and draw foreign investors' attention to the Brazilian market", comments Camargo.
The Handsfree Institute, founded only two years ago, is a non-profit association and all revenue from equipment sales is reinvested in the organization. "The project has a high scale capacity and is financially sustainable. So far, R$ 600 thousand have been invested in the startup and we expect a high profile of the project during the competition for this Cup. European countries, in particular, are more sensitive to the theme of assistance to the disabled due to the two world wars "comments Philippe Magno, marketing director of the Institute.
The partnership between ABES and Instituto Handsfree came from the ABES program to promote and support Startups. "ABES institutionally supports the Institute, publicizing its sponsorship needs to win this World Cup with its members, interested in supporting mobility and accessibility actions. The development of IoT applications focused on accessibility contribute to the construction of cities each time more intelligent and put Brazil in a prominent position in the world "concludes Camargo.
About ABES
ABES, Brazilian Association of Software Companies, is the most representative entity in the sector with around 2 thousand associated or associated companies, distributed in 23 Brazilian states and in the Federal District, responsible for the generation of more than 200 thousand direct jobs and a turnover annual turnover of US$ 24 billion per year. The companies associated with ABES represent about 85% of the turnover of the software development and commercialization segment in Brazil.
Since its foundation, on September 9, 1986, the entity has exercised the mission of sectorial representation in the legislative and tax areas, in proposing and guiding policies aimed at strengthening the value chain of the Brazilian Software and Services Industry - IBSS, in defense intellectual property and combating piracy of national or international software and in supporting initiatives to promote research, development, innovation and the development of national software. Access the ABES Portal - www.abes.org.br or talk to our Relationship Center: (11) 2161-2833.
ABES - Press contacts:
Weber Shandwick Brasil
PABX: (11) 3027-0200 / 3531-4950
Erika Borges - eborges@webershandwick.com - (11) 3027-0212
Diego Fortunato - dfortunato@webershandwick.com - (11) 3027-0214
Jaqueline Silva - jsilva@webershandwick.com - (11) 3027-0200 Extension 312
EN 
PT 
