O ABES Pitch Challenge is consolidating itself as a stage for innovation and entrepreneurship by offering visibility and valuable opportunities to emerging startups. The competition's main objective was to connect startups with potential investors, entrepreneurs and leaders in the technology sector. With the support of the ABES Startups Committee, led by Cassio Spina and Eduardo Felipe Matias, the event stood out for its organization and diversity of ideas presented by the finalists.
The participating startups underwent a rigorous initial selection process based on criteria such as scalability, viability, and feasibility of their solutions. The finals were held at the ABES SUMMIT 2024, which will take place on October 30, with a panel of judges made up of renowned professionals and investors, including Diogo Vasconcelos, from Anjos do Brasil; Marcos Regueira, representative of Sebrae Santa Catarina – Programa Inova; Jaana Goeggel, from Sororitê; Marcelo Moraes, from Columbia Venture Partners; and Werter Padilha, ABES Advisor.
In the competition, the startup stood out Cricket, founded by Eduardo Maruxo, which won first place with a solution focused on mitigating the impacts of layoffs in technology companies. In second place was Tax Strategy, represented by Anderson Rodrigo de Souza, which simplifies the calculation, declaration and payment of taxes for Brazilian companies. Realixo, led by Andrea M. Lehner, took third place, with its proposal to offer selective collection and composting services to individuals and legal entities, as well as waste management for events; followed by PIC Money, by Mauricio Weissberg, a gamified marketing platform that combines games, coupons, sales, cashback and financial education; and Akissikis Power, by Luis Fernando Moreira Machado, who develops software solutions to optimize and manage the dispatch of electrical systems with multiple energy sources.
With a dynamic format and a careful selection of participants, the ABES Pitch Challenge 2024 promoted meaningful meetings and collaborations between promising ideas and strategic investors. The success of this edition paves the way for future competitions, reaffirming ABES’ commitment to fostering the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Brazil.