Link Lab will be a program to foster new business
One of the most outstanding technology centers in the country, Florianópolis (SC) has just won another initiative that aims to stimulate innovation by bringing large and medium-sized companies closer to the startup universe. With the proposal to promote open innovation and the sharing of experiences, Link Lab ACATE was born.
The initiative is from the Santa Catarina Association of Technology Companies (ACATE), which has Nexxera as a co-founding sponsor and the companies Ambev, Engie, Faculdade Cesusc, Flex Contact Center, Marisol and Teltec Solutions as sponsors. To receive the project, a new 640m² space with a shared office and eight private rooms is being prepared at the ACATE Innovation Center – Primavera, in Florianópolis, one of the most innovative environments in the capital of Santa Catarina and awarded in 2016 as the best corporate architecture project. From Latin America.
Link Lab will not be a startup acceleration program, but a program of approximation and connection, explains ACATE Vice President of Market and program leader, Silvio Kotujansky: “We hope that these great companies breathe the innovation environment of our ecosystem . Approaching startups and their new culture is a chance to think differently, review processes and change the mindset of executives and managers. At the same time, learning from those who have experience and have already achieved success can make all the difference in the trajectory of new entrepreneurs”, he says. ACATE will be responsible for connecting Link Lab to more than 1000 member companies of the entity in all regions of the State.
Also according to Kotujansky, the idea is not to create too many rules, so that the environment naturally develops as a mini ecosystem of innovation. “The project needs to have a life of its own. The ecosystem will be set up and large companies and startups will be able to work in the best way they can”, he explains. Sponsoring companies will be able to use the space for one year and their relationship with startups is totally open: the program does not foresee the total or partial acquisition of start-ups.
Participating startups will be associated with ACATE, having access to dozens of benefits offered by the entity. During the Link Lab program, they will participate in market access initiatives via sponsoring companies, as well as in ACATE's Business Verticals. In addition, they will have workshops with selected partners in areas such as legal, accounting, digital marketing, communication, strategy, and will have credits and discounts on access to business solutions, infrastructure in cloud computing, among others.
How startups can apply
Startups can apply from May 16 to June 16 through the website http://linklab.acate.com.br to participate in the selection process. After this period, the sponsoring companies, with the support of ACATE, will select the startups that have the best synergy and alignment with their business and innovation programs. The selected startups will start the program in July.
Sponsoring companies are looking for startups that work and develop solutions in the areas of Virtual and Augmented Reality, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Corporate Governance and Sustainability, Fintech, Edutech, Cyber Security, Internet of Things, Health and Welfare, Fintech , Biotechnology, Supply Chain and Logistics, Blockchain, among others.
The initiative is from the Santa Catarina Association of Technology Companies (ACATE), which has Nexxera as a co-founding sponsor and the companies Ambev, Engie, Faculdade Cesusc, Flex Contact Center, Marisol and Teltec Solutions as sponsors. To receive the project, a new 640m² space with a shared office and eight private rooms is being prepared at the ACATE Innovation Center – Primavera, in Florianópolis, one of the most innovative environments in the capital of Santa Catarina and awarded in 2016 as the best corporate architecture project. From Latin America.
Link Lab will not be a startup acceleration program, but a program of approximation and connection, explains ACATE Vice President of Market and program leader, Silvio Kotujansky: “We hope that these great companies breathe the innovation environment of our ecosystem . Approaching startups and their new culture is a chance to think differently, review processes and change the mindset of executives and managers. At the same time, learning from those who have experience and have already achieved success can make all the difference in the trajectory of new entrepreneurs”, he says. ACATE will be responsible for connecting Link Lab to more than 1000 member companies of the entity in all regions of the State.
Also according to Kotujansky, the idea is not to create too many rules, so that the environment naturally develops as a mini ecosystem of innovation. “The project needs to have a life of its own. The ecosystem will be set up and large companies and startups will be able to work in the best way they can”, he explains. Sponsoring companies will be able to use the space for one year and their relationship with startups is totally open: the program does not foresee the total or partial acquisition of start-ups.
Participating startups will be associated with ACATE, having access to dozens of benefits offered by the entity. During the Link Lab program, they will participate in market access initiatives via sponsoring companies, as well as in ACATE's Business Verticals. In addition, they will have workshops with selected partners in areas such as legal, accounting, digital marketing, communication, strategy, and will have credits and discounts on access to business solutions, infrastructure in cloud computing, among others.
How startups can apply
Startups can apply from May 16 to June 16 through the website http://linklab.acate.com.br to participate in the selection process. After this period, the sponsoring companies, with the support of ACATE, will select the startups that have the best synergy and alignment with their business and innovation programs. The selected startups will start the program in July.
Sponsoring companies are looking for startups that work and develop solutions in the areas of Virtual and Augmented Reality, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Corporate Governance and Sustainability, Fintech, Edutech, Cyber Security, Internet of Things, Health and Welfare, Fintech , Biotechnology, Supply Chain and Logistics, Blockchain, among others.
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