The Prototipando a Quebrada (PAQ), an NGO incubated at INAITEC, was one of the three Brazilian organizations awarded in the 2025 edition of the VOA program, by Ambev. The initiative, which works on the technological and productive inclusion of young people from peripheral communities in Greater Florianópolis, was the only representative from Santa Catarina to receive national recognition.
This is yet another example of how INAITEC's ecosystem contributes to boosting projects with potential for social and economic transformation. PAQ is one of the cases that show how innovation and social impact can go hand in hand.
PAQ's work and its journey with INAITEC
Created in 2018 by educator Jeff Lima, Prototipando a Quebrada was born with the mission of preparing young people from the outskirts for the job market, with a focus on technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Since its founding, the NGO has trained 190 young people aged 16 to 21, and today has 80 active participants.
PAQ has established itself as a true ecosystem of technological and social transformation, helping to insert these young people into job opportunities and encouraging their entry into higher education. The impact is visible: more than 20 students have already entered universities and 40 are employed, with 61% of them working in the technology sector.
In Palhoça, PAQ operates within INAITEC, where it found the necessary support to expand its structure and strengthen its work. Direct contact with startups, entrepreneurs, and innovation specialists creates an environment conducive to the young people served by the NGO experiencing first-hand what it is like to work with technology and the development of innovative solutions.
National recognition in Ambev's VOA program
Winning the VOA award from Ambev is a reflection of the serious work and impact generated by PAQ. The program aims to strengthen third-sector organizations through training and mentoring in the areas of management, strategy, communication, and fundraising.
Created in 2018, VOA is one of Brazil's most recognized NGO support programs and, in 2025, selected only three organizations from more than a thousand applicants. PAQ was the only representative from Santa Catarina and will now have access to training and mentoring to further improve its management and expand its activities.
The award ceremony took place in São Paulo, on February 6 and 7, bringing together the 10 finalists of the program. For Jeff Lima, founder of the NGO, participation in VOA represents a fundamental step toward expanding PAQ's impact:
"Our goal is to impact up to 1 million people in the coming years. This recognition in the VOA program allows us to improve management and expand our work to other regions of Brazil."
PAQ's presence at INAITEC and the NGO's future
Today, PAQ operates in four units:
- INAITEC, in Palhoça;
- Acate, in Florianópolis;
- TXM Methods, in Florianópolis;
- BeWiki, also in Florianópolis.
Furthermore, the NGO has a network of more than 60 volunteers and the support of partner companies from the technology and innovation sector. This collaborative network is essential for the project to continue growing and reaching more and more young people.
The partnership with INAITEC has been essential for PAQ to expand its work, connecting young people from the outskirts with the opportunities of Greater Florianópolis's innovation ecosystem. This direct contact with entrepreneurs and technology professionals not only motivates participants but also broadens their career perspectives and personal development.
INAITEC's ecosystem as a driver of social impact and innovation
The story of Prototipando a Quebrada shows how INAITEC's innovation environment is capable of boosting projects with social and economic impact. The incubator has established itself as a space that goes beyond supporting technology startups, opening its doors to social initiatives that use technology as a tool for transformation.
The national recognition of PAQ reinforces the importance of bringing innovation and social inclusion together, something INAITEC increasingly seeks to strengthen. The partnership between the NGO and the incubator is a successful example of this integration and proof that it is possible to transform lives through education and technological entrepreneurship.
Want to learn more about PAQ and INAITEC?
Visit the Prototipando a Quebrada website:prototipandoaquebrada.org
Learn about INAITEC programs:inaitec.com.br
