Notícias / Florianópolis Ecosystem Wins National Innovation Award

Florianópolis Ecosystem Wins National Innovation Award

Pela segunda vez consecutiva, ecossistema de Florianópolis é reconhecido pelo prêmio como referência brasileira em inovação.

Florianópolis won the National Innovation Award, in the Large-Scale Ecosystem category, for the second consecutive time. The recognition, granted by CNI (National Confederation of Industry) and Sebrae, consolidates the state capital’s leading role in supporting the development of innovative and disruptive businesses.

The city’s Secretary of Economic Development, Science and Technology, Juliano Richter Pires, received the award at a ceremony held last Thursday (27), during the closing of the 11th Industry Innovation Congress, in São Paulo. “This is a moment of great joy for us, who have been doing tireless work over the past 40 years. What we are experiencing in our city right now is deeply gratifying and an unparalleled honor,” said the Secretary, who also gave special mention to Florianópolis’ entrepreneurs and companies.

The city, recognized as Brazil’s Startup Capital, stands out for initiatives such as the Florianópolis Innovation Network. The project is the result of a partnership between the City Hall and ACATE, aiming to foster innovative entrepreneurship through the integration of five Innovation Centers (CIs), entrepreneur support services, events, mentorships, and other opportunities. The city also has other public policies, including the Innovation Incentive Program (PII), focused on developing solutions and made viable through tax benefits, and Floripa Mais Tec, for talent development.

The structured support provided by the innovation ecosystem has helped the technology sector reach 25% of Florianópolis’ GDP — the highest share among Brazilian state capitals. There are more than 6,400 companies in the sector in the city, generating roughly R$12.8 billion in revenue and approximately 45,600 jobs, according to data from the Florianópolis Innovation Observatory.

In addition to the state capital, other winners recognized at the National Innovation Award included: the company Tupy, from Joinville, in the AI for Productivity category (Large companies); and Maria Beatriz da Rocha Veleirinho, from the Florianópolis-based company NanoScoping, in the Researchers category (Small business).

Also placing in the top 3 of the award in their respective categories were: ACATE’s Vice President of Relations and President of Nanovetores, Betina Giehl Zanetti Ramos (Researcher – Medium-sized company); LinkLab corporate partner Whirlpool (Decarbonization – Large company); ACATE-DEATEC member Kemia Efluentes (Business Digitalization – Medium-sized company); and ACATE member Aquarela Analytics (AI for Productivity – Medium-sized company).

Also representing Santa Catarina among the finalists were the companies Zagonel (Business Digitalization – Large company); Strokmatic (AI for Productivity – Small business); NanoScoping (Renewable Resources – Small business); Casan (Lei do Bem – Large company).

*Photo: Edilson Dantas/CNI

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