The capital of Paraná stands out for its innovation ecosystem and robust infrastructure.
Curitiba was considered, for the fourth consecutive year, the second best city in Brazil for startups, according to the Global Startup Ecosystem Index Report (GSEI) 2024. The report, carried out by the Israeli institute StartupBlink, evaluated 1,000 cities in 100 countries around the world, observing the number of startups, their quality and the business environment. In the case of Brazil, São Paulo took first place, followed by Curitiba (2nd place) and Rio de Janeiro (3rd).
For Marilucia Silva Pertile, co-founder of Start Growtha company focused on helping startups to boost their growth and performance, whose headquarters are in Curitiba, there are a series of factors that help explain the city’s favorable place in the ranking.
“Curitiba stands out for its dynamic ecosystem, the Vale do Pinhão, which provides a great incentive for innovation. It is a collaborative initiative between the public and private sectors, bringing together various actors that represent the city’s creative economy. We are active in this ecosystem, always counting on the support of SEBRAE and the Curitiba Development and Innovation Agency. These organizations provide us with the necessary strength to promote innovative encounters, boosting the growth of Curitiba and Vale do Pinhão as a whole,” he explains.
According to the startup mentor, the Vale do Pinhão ecosystem helps to foster innovation by actively participating in the Vale do Pinhão Governance Committees, made up of the Talent, Capital and Development, and Innovation Environment networks.
“Especially after the pandemic, this ecosystem has gained even more strength. There are several public and private initiatives promoting innovation and entrepreneurship,” he comments.
According to Marilucia, Curitiba also stands out for its robust infrastructure, which includes several innovation environments, such as coworking spaces, accelerators, innovation centers and hubs at universities.
“All of this makes it easier to create connections and network. Education is a strong point in the city, and universities attract talent from other regions,” he highlights.
The executive also highlights that Curitiba is home to three unicorns: Olist, Ebanx and WoodWoodwhich prove the city’s prominence in the innovation scene. In addition, Curitiba constantly receives awards that foster innovation and attract entrepreneurs.
“The city has already been recognized as the smartest in the world, consolidating its image as an innovative capital. We, at Start Growth, are involved in this ecosystem and seek to support visionary startup founders on their journey to the next level, combining expertise, capital and experience”, he concludes.
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