The business mission carried out by INAITEC in Spain marked a decisive step in the international expansion of Santa Catarina's innovation ecosystem. During the Barcelona agenda, the Santa Catarina hub signed a strategic cooperation agreement with 22@Network Barcelona, one of Europe's leading innovation hubs and a global reference in urban transformation, technology, and economic development.
According to Diego Chierighini, INAITEC's executive director, the agreement creates a new vector of opportunities for startups and companies from both countries. "The partnership will drive the internationalization of startups and technological cooperation between Brazil and Spain, establishing a commitment to develop joint projects to promote both the Brazilian market in Catalonia and Catalan companies in our region, in Santa Catarina," he states.
A milestone for connecting innovation ecosystems
The agreement establishes institutional foundations for bilateral initiatives involving:
- Knowledge exchange between companies, research centers, and technology hubs
- Strategic support for the internationalization of Brazilian and Catalan startups
- Periodic business missions
- In-person and virtual events aimed at connecting markets
- Softlanding programs
- Targeted business matchmaking
- Fundraising through national and European funds
With more than 2,200 active startups and investments exceeding €1.7 billion in 2024, Catalonia consolidates itself among Europe's most dynamic ecosystems, bringing together global companies, innovation hubs, universities, and public policies focused on the knowledge economy.
For Santa Catarina, the connection with 22@ reinforces the state's position as a national technology hub and broadens local startups' access to markets, international connections, and new cooperation possibilities.
A business mission with Santa Catarina strength
The partnership was built during the international mission led by INAITEC in Spain, which received support from the Foundation for Research and Innovation Support of the State of Santa Catarina (FAPESC). The delegation brought together a diverse group of companies and startups representing different areas of the Santa Catarina innovation ecosystem.
The following startups participated in the mission:
Alben, Due Laser, Zoome, Therrara, Primeira Via, Base Contabilidade, Tríceras, Latitude, Zedia, Briti, Zoomtech, Instramed, InfraCities, Revella Tech, and Unisec.
The Spain agenda included meetings at the Brazilian Consulate in Barcelona, technical visits to innovation centers, accelerators, and strategic entities, as well as the startups' presence at the Smart City Expo, an international event that brings together global leaders in urban innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation.
