When a startup has validated its product and begun generating recurring revenue, the next challenge is often building an operation capable of sustaining growth. Inova Startups, a program originally created by Sebrae/SC and Bossa Invest, combines investment with acceleration, mentoring, and strategic connections to help Brazilian startups scale more efficiently. The sixth edition was launched during Startup Summit 2026 and offers eligible startups the possibility of receiving up to R$ 800,000 through two investment tranches. Applications are open until 30 November 2026.
Program Overview
• Program: Inova Startups 6th Edition – 2027
• Organizer: Sebrae
• Investment and strategic partners: Bossa Invest, Raja Ventures, Unifique, BRDE, TroposLab, ACATE, and participating Sebrae organizations
• Application deadline: 30 November 2026
• Available spots: Up to 25 startups in the first investment phase
• Second-phase spots: Up to 5 startups
• Total potential funding per startup: Up to R$ 800,000 across two investment tranches
• First-phase investment per startup: Up to R$ 300,000
• Second-phase additional investment: Up to R$ 500,000
• Program focus: Investment, acceleration, mentoring, training, and strategic connections
• Geographic scope: Startups from across Brazil
• Launch context: Sixth edition launched during Startup Summit 2026
Program Structure
• Acceleration journey: The program combines financial investment with an acceleration and mentoring journey designed to develop capabilities needed for efficient scaling.
• First investment phase: Up to 25 selected startups can receive an investment of up to R$ 300,000 each.
• Development support: Participants receive mentoring, workshops, business connections, and interaction with investors, Sebrae teams, specialists, and potential commercial partners.
• Program duration: The investment and acceleration process is expected to run for approximately five months.
• Second investment phase: Up to five standout startups may advance to a more individualized scale-focused stage.
• Additional funding: Startups progressing to this stage may receive an additional investment of up to R$ 500,000, subject to investor assessment and due diligence.
• Total per startup: A startup progressing through both investment stages may receive up to R$ 800,000.
Selection Criteria
• Startup must offer an innovative and scalable solution.
• Startup should be seeking Angel or Pre-seed investment.
• Products or services must already be validated and operational.
• Startup must have achieved problem-solution fit.
• Minimum recurring revenue of R$ 10,000 MRR per month is required.
• The company should be close to break-even or have a clear path toward reaching it.
• Eligible business models include B2B, B2B2C, B2C, and B2G.
• The program targets startups with valuations of up to R$ 15 million.
• Previous angel investment or participation in an acceleration program is considered an advantage.
• Applicants must be formally registered in Brazil and meet the program’s corporate and team requirements.
Perspectives and Highlights
• The program combines funding with hands-on business development rather than operating solely as an investment vehicle. Previous participants have highlighted the value of mentoring, ecosystem access, and support in strengthening their products and operations.
• Guapeco, a participant in the third edition, recorded growth of more than 4,000% after entering the program and later received follow-on investment.
• Guapeco founder Martha Rodrigues has highlighted the combination of capital and strategic support as important for testing the business, better understanding customers, and preparing the company to scale.
• Marcos Regueira, Special Projects Manager at Sebrae/SC, has emphasized that the program is designed to help startups improve their products, expand their customer bases and revenue, strengthen operations, and build connections with investors and strategic partners.
• Across its first five editions, Inova Startups built a portfolio of 90 invested startups across 11 Brazilian states. This figure refers to the program’s historical portfolio, not the number of openings in the sixth edition.
Brazilian startups with validated products, recurring revenue, and ambitions to scale can apply to Inova Startups 6th Edition for the opportunity to receive up to R$ 800,000 in investment, alongside acceleration, mentoring, and strategic ecosystem connections. Applications close on 30 November 2026.