Darwin Startups, an accelerator and innovation hub based in Santa Catarina, Brazil, has announced a return to open cohort acceleration with the launch of Batch #15. The initiative was revealed during Startup Summit 2026 and remains open for applications until September 25 for up to five early-stage startups. The move comes after two years of selective startup investments and reflects a strategic response to a transformed innovation landscape.
A Return to Open Acceleration
Founded in 2015 and now marking 11 years of operations, Darwin Startups originally focused on identifying early-stage entrepreneurs regardless of their industry or relationship with large corporations. Over time, its model shifted toward connecting established companies with startups through selection, investment, and synergy programs. With the slowdown in corporate innovation demand, the accelerator has decided to revisit its origins and launch its own vehicle.
Investment Structure and Program Focus
Batch #15 will take a sector-agnostic approach while concentrating on young companies that are still in the early stages of development. Selected startups will receive an initial investment of R$100,000, followed by a 12-week acceleration program. Depending on each company's progress, Darwin Startups may invest up to R$1 million more per startup.
A Response to a Difficult Venture Market
According to CEO Marcos Mueller, the decision responds to the venture capital market's prolonged winter. Brazilian funds are under pressure to rethink their strategies because deals have become fewer and smaller. He argues that funds will need to find more efficient ways to allocate capital so that smaller deals do not harm overall fund performance.
Artificial Intelligence and Startup Speed
Darwin Startups also plans to adjust its acceleration process to rapid technological shifts, especially in artificial intelligence. Mueller noted that current AI platforms allow startups to create, productize, and test solutions much faster than before. Hypotheses that once took months to explore can now be tested in one or two weeks, which may attract a larger number of applicants.
Solo Founders Become Eligible
In another shift, Batch #15 will accept solo founders, a profile that Darwin Startups had historically treated with caution. The program now prioritizes a founder's deep understanding of the problem and market over the size of the team. Previous experience in the sector carries weight, and Mueller pointed to former athletes and musicians as examples of individuals whose dedication can translate into entrepreneurial resilience.
Preparing for Early Decisions
Mueller describes the initial investment as seed capital that helps plant the base of a vigorous tree. Beyond providing money, the program is designed to help founders make critical decisions during the first months of company building. Choices related to partners, shareholder agreements, market, pricing, and business model can create consequences that are difficult to reverse later.
A More Resilient Ecosystem
Mueller also sees the current downturn as a period of natural selection for both startups and fund managers. In an environment of capital scarcity, adaptability and operational discipline become essential for attracting investment. The accelerator expects this context to produce more resilient founders and more thoughtful investment theses across the Brazilian ecosystem.
Darwin Startups is betting that a return to open acceleration can offer a practical alternative during a difficult period for venture capital. By combining early-stage checks, possible follow-on funding, AI-aware program design, and openness to solo founders, the accelerator hopes to attract a broader and more resilient group of entrepreneurs. Applications remain open until September 25, giving early-stage startups a chance to access both capital and strategic guidance.
Source: Startups.com.br