FIEMG Lab
FIEMG Lab is Brazil's first open innovation hub, founded in 2016 under FIEMG/IEL, connecting large industrial enterprises (Vale, Anglo American, Gerdau, Stellantis) with B2B IndTech startups via AI-powered matchmaking, structured Challenge programs with paid PoCs, and the Impulso community of 900+ startups.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersBelo Horizonte, Brazil
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What FIEMG Lab does
FIEMG Lab is an open innovation hub founded in 2016 and operated as a non-profit initiative of the Instituto Euvaldo Lodi (IEL) within FIEMG (Federação das Indústrias do Estado de Minas Gerais), headquartered in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. It functions as a two-sided intermediation platform connecting large industrial enterprises with B2B IndTech startups, with a stated track record of 260 industries impacted, 380 startups impacted, 160 paid proof-of-concepts completed, and 7,250+ business meetings mediated. The hub's product surface is structured around four components: the FIEMG Lab Digital platform (a phygital environment with AI-powered matchmaking between industry challenges and startup solutions), the Challenge FIEMG Lab program (a five-phase open innovation methodology that runs paid PoCs over approximately 12 weeks), the Impulso community (a curated membership base of 900+ startups with speed-dating and event programming), and the FIEMG Lab 4.0 B2B acceleration program. Auxiliary products include FIEMG Lab Inova Jovem (student innovation) and digital-twin partner integrations.
The enterprise customer base is anchored by marquee Brazilian industrial players — Vale, Anglo American, Gerdau, Stellantis, Novo Nordisk, Usiminas, RHI Magnesita, CNH Industrial, Belgo Arames, and Copasa — spanning mining, steel, automotive, pharma, energy, and sanitation verticals. The hub supplements enterprise-facing programs with an Open Innovation Playbook series published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, and was ranked #1 in the 100 Open Startups ranking.
Business model revenue is generated through two recurring streams: (1) industry partner subscriptions and program fees for the Indústrias do Futuro / Challenge programs, paid by large enterprises seeking structured startup scouting and validated pilot outcomes, and (2) Impulso community membership fees paid by startups seeking access to corporate decision-makers. The non-profit institutional structure under FIEMG/IEL means revenue is reinvested into program operations rather than distributed, and the hub operates with a lean team of 11–50 employees. Geographic footprint is concentrated in Brazil, with the institutional anchor in Minas Gerais providing regulatory and political goodwill from the federation system.
FIEMG Lab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FIEMG Lab
- Legal name
- FIEMG Lab
- Website
- https://fiemglab.com.br
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- FIEMG Lab is Brazil's first open innovation hub, founded in 2016 under FIEMG/IEL, connecting large industrial enterprises (Vale, Anglo American, Gerdau, Stellantis) with B2B IndTech startups via AI-powered matchmaking, structured Challenge programs with paid PoCs, and the Impulso community of 900+ startups.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FIEMG Lab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Open Innovation Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI)
Keywords
Where FIEMG Lab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Belo Horizonte
- HQ country
- Brazil
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices1 record
Markets served
FIEMG Lab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Industry Partnership Programs: FIEMG Lab generates value by connecting industries to innovative startups through Challenge programs and community membership. Revenue is derived from industry partner subscriptions and program fees for the Indústrias do Futuro (Industries of the Future) program.
- Impulso Community Membership: Startups pay to join the Impulso community, gaining access to speed datings, challenge presentations, paid PoCs, and strategic events. Revenue model based on community membership fees.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
FIEMG Lab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FIEMG Lab is an open innovation hub that connects industrial enterprises with startups through structured Challenge programs (paid Proofs of Concept), a digital matching platform (FIEMG Lab Digital), a startup community (Impulso), and an acceleration program (FIEMG Lab 4.0). It serves industrial companies seeking open innovation partnerships and B2B startups (IndTechs) offering industrial solutions, facilitating connections through AI-powered curation, structured methodologies, and in-person events.
Product overview
FIEMG Lab is Brazil's first open innovation hub connecting startups with industries, operating as a platform-plus-program architecture. The core platform is FIEMG Lab Digital, a phygital environment integrating AI-powered matchmaking between industry challenges and startup solutions. The ecosystem includes the Challenge FIEMG Lab program for structured open innovation challenges, the Impulso Community for ongoing startup-industry connections, FIEMG Lab 4.0 acceleration program for B2B startups, plus educational playbooks/e-books and networking events (Expresso, Estação 4.0, Summit). The hub has facilitated connections with 260 industries, 380 startups, and 160 Proofs of Concept, ranking #1 in the 100 Open Startups ranking.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- FIEMG Lab Digital: Digital platform that connects industrial challenges to startup solutions using artificial intelligence and specialized curation.
- Impulso
- FIEMG Lab 4.0
- Challenge FIEMG Lab
Products and services
- FIEMG Lab Digital A phygital platform that integrates FIEMG Lab's initiatives and uses AI and specialized curation to connect industries with innovative startup solutions, providing access to a mature technology network and facilitating real business opportunities. Targets industrial enterprises and B2B startups.
- Challenge FIEMG Lab An open innovation challenge program that connects industries with startups to solve specific business challenges through 5 structured phases (inscription, classification, technical leveling, contracting, and paid Proof of Concept execution over ~12 weeks). Targets industrial enterprises and B2B startups (IndTechs).
- Impulso Community A startup community that connects industries with innovative solutions through speed dating sessions, challenge presentations, paid proof of concept opportunities, and networking at strategic hub events. Targets B2B startups seeking access to industrial decision-makers.
- FIEMG Lab 4.0 A B2B startup development and acceleration program that supports startups with business and technology guidance, connects them to the market, and provides financial resources for Proof of Concept projects between startups and industries. Targets B2B startups offering industrial solutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- 260 industries impacted by open innovation programs
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use FIEMG Lab
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
FIEMG Lab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature3 records
FIEMG Lab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- IEL (Instituto Euvaldo Lodi)coreFIEMG Lab is a pioneering initiative of IEL (Instituto Euvaldo Lodi), within the scope of FIEMG (Federação das Indústrias do Estado de Minas Gerais). IEL provides institutional backing and operational support for the hub's programs and activities.
- FIEMG (Federação das Indústrias do Estado de Minas Gerais)coreFIEMG is the parent organization of FIEMG Lab. The hub collaborates to position Minas Gerais as a reference in industrial innovation in Brazil and strengthen production chains.
- ValecoreVale is a core partner and participating industry (Indústria do Futuro) in the Challenge FIEMG Lab program, with multiple editions of the Vale Challenge focused on mining innovation challenges such as conveyor belt roller replacement, ore contamination detection, locomotive starting, and ore moisture prediction.
- Anglo AmericancoreAnglo American is a core partner (Indústria do Futuro) with 6+ editions of the Anglo American Challenge FIEMG Lab, addressing challenges in mining operations including diesel consumption reduction, hydrocyclone data collection, refractory lining lifespan prediction, and alumina content reduction.
- GerdaucoreGerdau is a core partner (first industry partner of FIEMG Lab) with 6+ editions of the Gerdau Challenge FIEMG Lab. Challenges include buried pipeline anomaly detection, metallic structure inspection automation, charcoal monitoring, and pest counting in eucalyptus.
- StellantiscoreStellantis participates in Challenge FIEMG Lab with multiple editions addressing freight payment management and ethanol usage incentives in flex-fuel vehicles. FIEMG Lab connected Stellantis with the Trashin startup which won the Stellantis Venture Awards.
- Novo NordiskcoreNovo Nordisk participates in Challenge FIEMG Lab with 3+ editions addressing particle counting automation, waste management automation, and batch changeover optimization at their pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Montes Claros/MG.
- UsiminascoreUsiminas participates in Challenge FIEMG Lab with challenges including cylinder profile measurement, blending optimization for sintering, conveyor belt monitoring, and integrated load planning.
- RHI MagnesitacoreRHI Magnesita participates in Challenge FIEMG Lab with challenges focused on CO2 footprint reduction, intelligent planning of recyclable refractory material purchases, and smart service contract management.
- CopasaminorCopasa is listed as an Industries of the Future partner, providing water and sanitation sector perspective to the innovation ecosystem.
- Belgo AramesminorBelgo Arames is listed as an Industries of the Future partner participating in the FIEMG Lab ecosystem.
- CNH IndustrialminorCNH Industrial (parent of Case New Holland and Iveco) is an Industries of the Future partner. Their executive Paulo Máximo serves as Director of Commercial Services and Planning, leading innovation for CNH Latin America.
- Newton PaivaminorNewton Paiva collaborated on the 'Transformando Talentos' e-book, developed to prepare professionals for innovation roles, providing educational content and methodology.
- BIP BrasilminorBIP Brasil partnered with FIEMG Lab on the 'Mineração do Futuro - Radar de Startups' publication, presenting startups and trends for the future of mining with focus on ESG, safety, recycling, and resource management.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
FIEMG Lab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Distrito: Distrito operates a corporate innovation platform in Brazil, offering startup scouting, mapping, and open innovation solutions to enterprises. Its model of building curated startup databases and matchmaking tools directly overlaps with FIEMG Lab Digital.
- Cubo Itaú: Cubo Itaú is a major innovation hub in São Paulo backed by Itaú Unibanco, fostering connections between startups, corporates, and investors. It competes for the same enterprise open innovation and startup community engagement that FIEMG Lab pursues in the industrial sector.
- Liga Ventures: Liga Ventures is a Brazilian open innovation platform that connects large corporations with startups through corporate venture, scouting, and structured innovation programs. It competes directly with FIEMG Lab's Challenge FIEMG Lab and Impulso community in the corporate-startup matching space.
Others
- Endeavor Brasil: Endeavor is a global organization supporting high-impact entrepreneurs, with a strong Brazil presence. It is not a direct competitor but operates in the same ecosystem, supporting scale-up startups that may eventually join FIEMG Lab's industrial challenge programs.
- 100 Open Startups: 100 Open Startups is a ranking and open innovation network that recognizes the top corporate-startup collaboration programs in Brazil and Latin America. FIEMG Lab has been ranked #1 by this organization, indicating the network both validates and competes for attention in the open innovation ecosystem.
Broad incumbents
- Techstars: Techstars is a global accelerator network with accelerator programs and corporate innovation partnerships. While it does not focus on industrial verticals in Brazil, it is a comparable global model of structured startup acceleration and corporate-startup connection.
- Wayra (Telefónica): Wayra is Telefónica's global corporate innovation and venture arm with a presence in Brazil, offering startup acceleration, corporate venture, and open innovation services. It is a broader incumbent operating across multiple sectors rather than specializing in industrial verticals.
- ACE Startups: ACE Startups is one of Brazil's largest startup accelerators, offering acceleration programs and corporate-startup connections. While broader in scope than FIEMG Lab, it competes for the same pool of Brazilian startups and corporate innovation budgets.
Regional players
- SEED (Startups and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development): SEED and other Minas Gerais-based innovation initiatives operate in the same regional ecosystem as FIEMG Lab, often partnering with FIEMG/SENAI/SESI. They overlap on startup community building and corporate-startup engagement in the Minas Gerais market.
Emerging players
- Darwin Starter: Darwin Starter is a Brazilian pre-acceleration program for early-stage startups. It operates in the same Brazilian startup ecosystem, addressing an adjacent stage of the startup lifecycle compared to FIEMG Lab's B2B/industrial focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FIEMG Lab social profiles
Digital presenceFIEMG Lab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FIEMG Lab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
FIEMG Lab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FIEMG Lab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FIEMG Lab
What does FIEMG Lab do?
FIEMG Lab is an open innovation hub that connects industrial enterprises with startups through structured Challenge programs (paid Proofs of Concept), a digital matching platform (FIEMG Lab Digital), a startup community (Impulso), and an acceleration program (FIEMG Lab 4.0). It serves industrial companies seeking open innovation partnerships and B2B startups (IndTechs) offering industrial solutions, facilitating connections through AI-powered curation, structured methodologies, and in-person events.
Is FIEMG Lab a public or private company?
FIEMG Lab is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was FIEMG Lab founded?
FIEMG Lab was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is FIEMG Lab based?
FIEMG Lab is headquartered in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in the Latin America region.
How does FIEMG Lab make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Industry Partnership Programs are the primary driver. The others are impulso Community Membership.
Who are FIEMG Lab's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Distrito, Cubo Itaú and Liga Ventures. Others are Endeavor Brasil and 100 Open Startups. Broad incumbents are Techstars, Wayra (Telefónica) and ACE Startups. SEED (Startups and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development) is listed as a regional player. Darwin Starter is listed as an emerging player.
Does FIEMG Lab have an API?
No public API is recorded for FIEMG Lab.
What industry is FIEMG Lab in?
FIEMG Lab's product category is Open Innovation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAI, Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7373.