Brazil is experiencing an effervescent moment of strengthening its entrepreneurial ecosystem, in order to establish conditions that encourage the emergence of new companies, the increase in national competitiveness and innovation. Technology-based businesses occupy a relevant position in this scenario, due to the high economic impact of products and services in the ICT sector for national and world markets.
ABES partner, CIETEC (Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology) is an incubator that supports the creation and consolidation of companies, with units in São Paulo and Mogi das Cruzes. It has played an important role in this promising panorama since 1998, the year of its foundation. To talk about its performance, the startup selection process, the evolution of entrepreneurship and the services it offers to new entrepreneurs, the ABES Portal interviewed Leonardo Dominguez Dias, Innovation consultant for Technology Companies at CIETEC.
Could you tell us about the profile of startups that are currently at CIETEC?
We have companies from different areas of activity, such as Agribusiness, Civil Construction, Chemistry, Software and Nanotechnology. If we add only the IT and Electronics companies, we have 38 startups that are at different stages of business and billing. Some are still in the preparation of the business plan, we have those that are in the product development phase, we have those that are in the testing stage and those that have already started to sell.
How does CIETEC position itself in the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Brazil?
Entrepreneurship is still very recent in Brazil and our association is a pioneer. We believe that we have been successful in our mission to promote the development of Science, Technology and Innovation, encouraging the transformation of knowledge into innovative and competitive products and services. As an incubator, we prepare the entrepreneur, providing training, physical space and specialized and highly qualified consultancy. We identify partnerships, encourage the exchange of information and generate synergy among the incubated companies. Our success rate is above expectations and is around 30%. Among our success stories are DEV Tecnologia, Naked Monkey, Hello Universe and 3DUX.
What are the main challenges facing the entrepreneur?
Usually, he has an idea and doesn't know how to build his business plan and identify the innovation. In addition, some need to maintain another activity during the incubation, which creates conflicts in time management and dedication to the business.
How is the relationship between an incubator and startups?
The businesses we select typically don't have products, services, or revenue yet. Therefore, they form in the incubator. At CIETEC, they are supported by partnerships we have with large organizations, including Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, Intel, ST Semiconductors and ABES. Startups pay an associative fee and a fee for the infrastructure they occupy, which varies according to the size of the physical space occupied and the type of incubation.
How is the CIETEC selection process?
Currently, the selection process is continuous, we are no longer bound by the launch of a public notice. Interested parties can enter our website at any time and fill out the form, in which they must highlight what the innovation is. This material will be evaluated by the ad hoc advisors we maintain. If the proposal is selected, new entrants will participate in a training course to prepare the business plan and will start the incubation process.
More information at: www.cietec.org.br
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