Jornada Startups 2026 to Select Up to 150 New Technology Businesses in Santa Catarina

Technology companies from Santa Catarina looking to accelerate growth and expand their market presence can now apply for the 2026 edition of Jornada Startups, officially launched last Tuesday (17). The pre-acceleration program, run by ACATE and Sebrae Startups, focuses on businesses that already have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and need to overcome the initial market-entry stage. Applications can be submitted until April 21 at this link.

Over five years, the initiative has already supported more than 665 businesses, establishing itself as a tool for regional economic development. Data from the 2025 edition clearly illustrate the practical impact of Jornada Startups, which has become a turning point in the innovation environment. In all, 38% of startups increased their revenue throughout the program, the average growth in paying customers was 48%, and participant satisfaction reached a score of 9.8.

“Jornada Startups was created with the purpose of shortening the path between an idea and the first customer, but over these five editions we’ve realized the program goes far beyond that. It connects entrepreneurs to a living ecosystem, where business, investment, and growth opportunities are accessible from day one. Seeing companies’ revenue grow during the program is proof that we’re on the right track,” says Diego Ramos, president of ACATE.

The program’s methodology is structured to address a specific challenge faced by startups that have moved past the idea stage but now need to overcome commercial validation, focusing efforts on winning their first customers to prove the business’s viability. In the market, this phase is known as the “valley of death,” a stage in which many companies shut down due to a lack of commercial structure or financial management.

“Santa Catarina has a mature and competitive innovation ecosystem, and Jornada Startups is one of the tools that helps sustain this leading role. Sebrae Startups believes that access to qualified training, specialized mentorship, and strategic connections makes all the difference for a startup in its early years. The 2026 edition represents yet another concrete opportunity for entrepreneurs from Santa Catarina to turn their projects into high-impact businesses,” highlights Luiza Pedroso, Innovation Projects Manager at Sebrae Startups.

In addition to being run by ACATE and Sebrae Startups, the Jornada Startups program is sponsored by Softcon.

Mentorship and visibility

In addition to going through a training track and mentorship sessions focused on winning their first customers, startups that stand out during the program will compete in a Demoday at Startup Summit 2026. The event takes place in August, in Florianópolis, and will award prizes to the three best-placed startups.

All companies participating in Jornada Startups have guaranteed access to entrepreneurial training. However, startups that are already ACATE members or that choose to become members enjoy exclusive advantages: a network of more than 90 specialist mentors, benefits on tools such as AWS, Google, and Zoho, as well as a direct connection to the ecosystem through the Business Verticals and the ACATE Startups program, both essential for reducing costs and accelerating commercial validation.

The announcement of up to 150 selected companies is scheduled for May 11, with the official start of the program on May 21. Jornada Startups takes place in person for the kick-off and final event, with intermediate stages held online.

Details:

What: Jornada Startups 2026
When: applications until April 21
Where to apply: at this link
Requirements: have a CNPJ registered in Santa Catarina; have a technology-related CNAE; be a startup in the ideation, validation, or demand generation (operation) stage