The innovation landscape in Santa Catarina has just gained a promising new chapter. Inaitec – Instituto de Apoio à Inovação, Ciência e Tecnologia – was awarded a FAPESC (Foundation for Research and Innovation Support of Santa Catarina) grant to lead an ambitious company internationalization program, which includes two major international missions: one to Silicon Valley (USA) and another to Spain.
Focused on strengthening the global presence of startups and innovative companies, the project will allow 20 Santa Catarina companies to participate in a subsidized manner, with flights, daily allowances, and international training included. This is one of the largest internationalization initiatives ever carried out by Inaitec, marking a new phase for the Pedra Branca Technology Park ecosystem.
Internationalization as a growth engine
With more than 400 companies already trained over the past years, Inaitec has been consolidating itself as one of the main references in technical, strategic, and operational support for business internationalization in Santa Catarina.
Now, with FAPESC's support, it will be possible to offer a robust and comprehensive program that begins with training in Brazil and culminates in practical actions in international markets.
The proposal includes:
- 40 hours of training on topics such as international negotiation, investor pitching, business culture, and market intelligence;
- Virtual matchmaking rounds with potential partners in the destination countries;
- Participation in an international mission focused on business generation, partnerships, or investment.
How the selection process will work
Interested companies will need to apply through a public call for applications, expected to be launched in April. Technology-based companies, startups, innovative industries, and growing businesses from throughout Santa Catarina will be eligible to participate.
Silicon Valley and Spain: destinations with distinct purposes
Each international mission was designed with a specific purpose. The Silicon Valley mission will focus on startups seeking investment and international traction, with an agenda geared toward engagement with funds, accelerators, and technology hubs. The Spain mission, with a focus on Barcelona, will have a commercial bias, seeking business generation, partnerships, and strategic connections with the European market.
Both agendas will have the support of local partners and matchmaking operators, ensuring that participating companies not only visit but build real bridges with international ecosystems.
Partnerships to broaden the impact
In addition to FAPESC, Inaitec is in talks with other important actors in the innovation and foreign trade ecosystem, such as:
- ApexBrasil, for export support and investment attraction;
- Sebrae, with complementary training and company qualification support;
- International institutions such as Asociación Conecta (Spain) and General Assembly (USA), which are already in talks to contribute to the program.
The expectation is that, from this initiative, new international missions will be structured throughout the year, further strengthening the global performance of the companies supported by Inaitec.
Why this is strategic for companies
Internationalization is not just about exporting. It is about understanding new markets, adapting products and services, expanding networking, and increasing competitiveness. For technology and innovation companies, being connected to the world's largest hubs is a strategic differentiator that opens doors and accelerates growth.
Participating in a program like this means receiving technical and financial support to structure this process safely, as well as having the opportunity to represent Brazil in the planet's most advanced ecosystems.
Stay tuned: public call coming soon
The official launch of the public call will take place in the coming weeks, with wide dissemination on Inaitec's networks. Follow along so you don't miss this chance to take your company to the next level.
