What IGLOO Network does

IGLOO Network is a privately held Brazilian business innovation hub headquartered inside CENESP (Centro Empresarial de São Paulo), the largest business complex in Latin America. Founded in 2017-2018 and operating with a 1-10 person team, the company runs a physical accelerator and coworking facility that bundles workspace with structured entrepreneur support programs — Igloo Experience (mentorship), Igloo Academy (education), Women Maker, Igloo Camp, and the Business Checkup consulting service built on a proprietary Igloo Methodology. The technology layer is physical rather than software: a FabLab for prototyping, a Robotics training lab, a Game Bootcamp room, and a YouTuber Room recording studio, all co-located to enable daily networking among members.

The company generates revenue through a mix of recurring coworking memberships, professional services fees for acceleration, mentorship and consulting, and event-based income from sponsored pitch competitions (Igloo Challenge, Ibrachina Challenge). Critically, IGLOO does not take equity from member startups, monetizing purely through service fees and corporate sponsorship. Its three target segments are early-stage startups and individual entrepreneurs (primary), corporate clients seeking cultural transformation and innovation engagement (e.g., Ambev, TIM, Chivas/Pernod Ricard as event sponsors), and investors/VCs using the hub for deal-flow sourcing and thesis testing.

Distribution is concentrated at the single São Paulo physical hub, supplemented by event-driven acquisition (Challenges, hackathons, pitches) and content marketing via a blog and social channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter). Notable strategic milestones include the 2018 inaugural IGLOO Challenge (R$100,000+ in prizes, 3-month acceleration) and the 2019 Ibrachina Challenge, which screened 500+ startups and signaled a Brazil-China cross-border ambition. Core acceleration partnerships include ENSAIO (Y Combinator School methodology), OZONEAN (in-facility acceleration), Empodere-se (intrapreneurship), and FAAP (pitch training). Revenue, funding, and ownership details are not publicly disclosed.

Name

IGLOO Network

Legal name

IGLOO Network

Website

https://igloo.network

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IGLOO Network is a São Paulo-based innovation hub and startup accelerator operating from inside CENESP. It bundles coworking, mentorship, FabLab and Robotics facilities, and event-driven pitch programs to serve early-stage Brazilian entrepreneurs, corporate innovation sponsors, and investors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator / Innovation Hub

akta.pro primary industry

Technical & Scientific Expert Networks (BPAHALAH)

Keywords

• Startup acceleration services
• Coworking space
• Business mentorship programs
• Innovation consulting
• Entrepreneurship hub

Headquarters

HQ city

São Paulo

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Acceleration Program: Intensive, rapid, and immersive process of education, guidance, and financing to accelerate the lifecycle of young innovative companies, speeding up learning and go-to-market.
2. Mentorship Services: Customized mentorship program defining business model and market viability for each startup, supported by specialized mentors with sector-relevant experience.
3. Business Consulting (Business Checkup): Consulting services using Igloo Methodology to analyze companies, identify strengths and areas for improvement, maximize performance, and commercialize businesses.
4. Coworking Membership: Collaborative workspace access within the innovation hub ecosystem, providing infrastructure and networking opportunities.
5. Event Hosting: Event, pitch, and hackathon services integrating facilitators, mentors, corporate ventures, and entrepreneurs for training and business development.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IGLOO Network operates a physical business innovation hub in São Paulo offering coworking space, startup acceleration programs, customized mentorship, business consulting (Business Checkup using the proprietary Igloo Methodology), and shared technology facilities (FabLab, Robotic labs, Game Bootcamp, YouTuber Room). It connects startups, entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and investors through structured programs, pitch events, and ecosystem networking.

Product overview

IGLOO Network is a Brazilian Innovation Hub designed for creative, innovative, and independent entrepreneurs seeking business transformation through a collaborative environment. The platform offers a comprehensive suite of services organized around a core acceleration program with specialized components including Business Checkup consulting, Game Bootcamp, Robotic classes, FabLab fabrication space, YouTuber Room studio, Event/Pitch/Hackaton facilities, Service Match partner matching, Mentorship programs, and Cycle Management support. These services are complemented by four main programs: Igloo Experience, Igloo Academy, Women Maker, and Igloo Camp, which are customized to enhance each stage of the entrepreneurial journey for startups and members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Igloo Experience: Mentorship program under the IGLOO NETWORK ecosystem designed to support entrepreneurs through customized guidance.
• Igloo Academy
• Women Maker
• Igloo Camp

Products and services

• Acceleration Program Intensive, rapid, and immersive acceleration program for entrepreneurs with innovative business models, focused on education, guidance, and financing to speed up go-to-market and accelerate the lifecycle of young innovative companies.
• Mentorship (Igloo Experience) Customized mentorship program defining business model and market viability for each startup, supported by specialized mentors with relevant sector experience.
• Business Checkup Consulting Consulting service using the proprietary Igloo Methodology to analyze companies, identify strengths and areas for improvement, maximize performance, and commercialize businesses.
• Coworking Membership Collaborative workspace access within the IGLOO innovation hub located at CENESP São Paulo, providing infrastructure, daily networking, and ecosystem participation.
• FabLab Digital fabrication laboratory space for prototype development and new product creation, stimulating creativity and innovation for member startups.
• Robotic Classes Theoretical and practical robotics courses and sessions for skill development and innovation.
• Game Bootcamp Equipped room for gaming and esports training sessions and championships.
• YouTuber Room Special recording studio built for content creators with state-of-the-art technology for program production.
• Event / Pitch / Hackathon Hosting Event space and programs integrating facilitators, mentors, corporate ventures, and entrepreneurs for capacity building, skill development, and access to the innovation ecosystem.
• Service Match Partner matching service providing entrepreneurs with essential service providers including legal, administrative systems, HR, finance, accounting, and freelance professionals.
• Cycle Management Action planning service that analyzes and monitors implementation of suggested improvements, connecting entrepreneurs with partners and solutions while providing continuous innovation support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 startups interviewed for Ibrachina Challenge event
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AmbevminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Ibrachina Challenge event organized by IGLOO Network.
• TIMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of IGLOO Network events including Ibrachina Challenge. Janilson Bezerra from TIM served as a judge in the event.
• EnsaiocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAcceleration partner providing 3 months of acceleration with YCOMBINATOR SCHOOL methodology to challenge winners. Partner in the Igloo ecosystem for startup acceleration.
• FAAPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner providing pitch course and professional development for IGLOO challenge winners. Alessandra Andrade from FAAP served as a judge.
• KobberminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of IGLOO events. A company offering healthy food products that is a partner of IGLOO Network.
• Octávio CaféminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of IGLOO Challenge events. Developer of Tutti coffee machine prototype.
• OZONEANcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcceleration partner providing 3 months of intensive acceleration within IGLOO NETWORK facilities for challenge winners.
• Empodere-secoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for intraentrepreneurship services. Empodere-se provides performance intraentrepreneurship services in multidisciplinary groups to stimulate reconnection with creative potential. They use methodologies including Service Thinking and Network Science.
• AccesstageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Igloo Challenge events. Marcos Elias dos Santos and Pedro Arruda from Accesstage served as judges.
• MonsterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Ibrachina Challenge event.
• Pernod Ricard (Chivas)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of IGLOO Challenge events through Chivas brand.
• ENSAIOcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAcceleration partner for Ibrachina Challenge winners, providing YCOMBINATOR SCHOOL methodology training for 3 months.
• Cervejaria PetropolisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Igloo Challenge with TNT and Black Princess beer brands.
• MarmotexminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Igloo Challenge event.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Y Combinator: The gold-standard global accelerator with a network effect-driven model that IGLOO mimics at smaller scale. Ensaio's "Y Combinator School methodology" partnership ties IGLOO's acceleration curriculum directly to the YC playbook.
• WeWork / WeWork Labs: Global coworking and workspace provider with startup-focused programming. Comparable as a coworking + community combination that IGLOO offers at smaller scale.

Direct peers

• Wayra (Telefónica): Telefónica's global startup accelerator with active operations in Brazil. Provides mentorship, corporate connectivity, and acceleration—directly comparable to IGLOO's mandate.
• ACE Aceleradora: Brazilian startup accelerator providing mentorship, corporate access, and acceleration programs. Operates in the same São Paulo startup ecosystem with similar services.
• InovAtiva Brasil: Federal government-linked acceleration program for Brazilian startups. Targets the same early-stage Brazilian founders with mentorship and exposure to partners.
• Startup Farm: Brazilian startup accelerator with mentorship and corporate partnership focus. Competes for the same early-stage Brazilian startup pipeline.
• Distrito: Brazilian open innovation hub connecting startups, corporations, and investors. Mirrors IGLOO's community-led GTM and corporate-startup matchmaking model.
• Cubo Itaú: Brazilian innovation hub housed inside Itaú's headquarters, connecting startups with corporate partners and investors. Highly comparable business hub model with acceleration programs and corporate-startup matchmaking.
• Artemísia: Brazilian social impact accelerator supporting innovative ventures. Operates a hub plus mentorship model comparable to IGLOO, especially for impact-focused programs like Women Maker.

Regional players

• BR Startups: Brazilian startup ecosystem organization running community events and acceleration initiatives. Provides similar event-driven acquisition and networking utility to IGLOO.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/NetworkIgloo
• Facebookfacebook.com/igloo.network
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/igloo-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/igloo.network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IGLOO Network