Hotmilk

What Hotmilk does

Hotmilk (legal name: HOTMILK. Ecossistema de Inovação PUCPR) is the official innovation ecosystem of Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), a private Catholic university in Brazil. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Curitiba, Paraná, it operates as a wholly-owned university extension that combines a physical startup acceleration hub (HUBHotmilk), enterprise innovation consulting, executive training, R&D services, and a portfolio of digital platforms. Its core technology stack centers on a curated design-thinking methodology codified into 80+ innovation tools, delivered through the Innovation Toolbox digital product, the Plataforma de Gestão da Inovação (open innovation management platform), Universidade da Inovação (corporate education platform), and the Hotmilk Digital community platform.

Name

Hotmilk

Legal name

HOTMILK. Ecossistema de Inovação PUCPR

Website

https://hotmilk.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Hotmilk is PUCPR's university-affiliated innovation ecosystem in Curitiba, Brazil, offering a startup hub, innovation consulting, executive training, R&D services, and digital innovation tools to corporate members and resident startups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Innovation Ecosystem Services

NAICS

Marketing Consulting Services (541613), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Universities with Entrepreneurship & Incubation Focus (EDAHAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Enablement & Adoption Services (Change Management, Adoption, Champions) (BPAEANAC), Marketing Technology, AdTech & MarTech Services (BPAFAAAN)

Keywords

• Innovation consulting
• Corporate innovation ecosystem
• Startup acceleration services
• Design thinking tools
• Innovation management training

Headquarters

HQ city

Londrina

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Membership Plans: Subscription-based membership plans for corporations to access the innovation ecosystem, consulting services, connections with startups, and educational programs.
2. Startup Membership Plans: Subscription plans for startups to be part of the collaborative innovation community with access to physical space and ecosystem resources.
3. Innovation Consulting Services: Customized consulting engagements for companies including innovation strategy, culture development, intrapreneurship programs, and open innovation implementation.
4. Innovation Academy Courses: Educational courses on innovation topics including intrapreneurship, innovation management, leadership and innovation culture, and strategic AI, with PUCPR certification.
5. Innovation Toolbox Subscription: Access to the curated collection of 80+ innovation tools via digital platform, with 7-day free trial offered.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hotmilk operates the innovation ecosystem of Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), delivering end-to-end corporate innovation services including a physical innovation hub (HUBHotmilk), innovation consulting, customized training through the Innovation Academy, and R&D support. It also runs digital platforms such as the Innovation Toolbox (80+ curated design thinking tools), an open-innovation management platform, and the Hotmilk Digital community, monetized via corporate and startup membership plans, consulting engagements, and academy courses.

Product overview

Hotmilk is an innovation ecosystem associated with PUCPR (Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná), offering a multi-product portfolio centered around innovation services. The core offerings include: HUBHotmilk (physical innovation hub), Consultoria de Inovação (innovation consulting), Innovation Academy (training courses), and Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (R&D services). Supporting these are digital products including Innovation Toolbox (80+ design thinking tools), Plataforma de Gestão da Inovação (innovation management platform), Universidade da Inovação (education platform), and Hotmilk Digital (digital community). The ecosystem also provides Startup Growth Plan and Mentoring programs, plus course offerings covering Intraempreendedorismo, Gestão da Inovação, Liderança e Cultura de Inovação, and IA Estratégica. With over 120 resident startups and 200+ events annually, the ecosystem serves both corporate members and startups through tiered membership plans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Startup Growth Plan: Growth acceleration program for startups
• HOTMILK Mentoring
• Hub de Inovação
• Innovation Academy
• Innovation Toolbox
• Universidade da Inovação
• Hotmilk Digital
• Plataforma de Gestão da Inovação
• Innosphera Meeting Center

Products and services

• HUBHotmilk Physical innovation hub space in Curitiba where startups are accelerated and large companies are hosted to generate new businesses, solutions, and connections.
• Consultoria de Inovação Innovation consulting services that implement innovation within companies, covering innovation strategy, culture, intrapreneurship, open innovation, and startup development.
• Innovation Academy Customized training programs that transform corporate leaders and employees into innovation agents, with PUCPR certification, covering courses in intrapreneurship, innovation management, leadership and innovation culture, and strategic AI.
• Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Research and development services leveraging PUCPR's structure and expertise to validate and develop new technologies, products, and services for real market application.
• Innovation Toolbox Digital platform offering a curated collection of 80+ design thinking tools and methods designed to help teams develop innovation techniques used by major companies, with a 7-day free trial.
• Plataforma de Gestão da Inovação Innovation management platform enabling companies to manage open innovation processes with transparency and autonomy.
• Planos Membro Corporate Corporate membership plans allowing companies to join the innovation ecosystem and connect with innovative solutions and startups.
• Planos Membro Startup Startup membership plans providing access to a collaborative and dynamic innovation community, physical hub space, and ecosystem resources.
• Startup Growth Plan Startup acceleration program providing structured growth support for early-stage companies.
• HOTMILK Mentoring Mentorship services connecting startups with experienced professionals for guidance and expertise.
• Universidade da Inovação Innovation education platform that transforms company employees into innovation agents through specialized courses.
• Innosphera Meeting Center Event venue space available for hosting innovation events and meetings.

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• PUCPR (Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOTMILK is the official innovation ecosystem of PUCPR, the most innovative private university in Brazil. The partnership provides HOTMILK with academic infrastructure, research capabilities, and credibility through the university connection.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC): Global operator of innovation campuses and venture workspaces serving startups, corporates, and investors across multiple cities. Comparable as a multi-tenant physical innovation hub with corporate programming and community offerings.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Global innovation platform and accelerator operating corporate innovation programs with major enterprise partners. Comparable as a larger incumbent ecosystem that connects corporates with startups and runs structured accelerator batches.
• Station F: World's largest startup campus based in Paris, hosting thousands of startups, corporate programs, and an innovation community. Comparable as a physical innovation hub at much larger scale, illustrating the category's global potential.

Direct peers

• Distrito: Brazilian innovation ecosystem and open innovation hub that connects large corporations with startups, offering corporate innovation services, community, and content. Highly comparable as a Brazil-based direct competitor in the open innovation space.
• StartupFarm: Brazilian innovation ecosystem and corporate venture builder that runs startup programs and connects entrepreneurs with large enterprises. Comparable as a corporate-startup intermediary operating in Brazil.
• Cubo Itaú: Brazilian corporate-backed innovation hub operated by Itaú Unibanco. Directly comparable as a bank-sponsored open innovation ecosystem that hosts startups, runs corporate membership programs, and connects enterprises with venture-stage companies.
• Beta-i: Portuguese innovation hub running accelerator programs, corporate innovation consulting, and an annual innovation summit. Comparable as a non-profit/independent innovation ecosystem with consulting, community, and education revenue lines.
• Wayra (Telefónica): Telefónica's global open innovation hub and corporate venture arm. Comparable as a telco-affiliated innovation platform running startup acceleration, corporate innovation programs, and academy-style training across multiple geographies.
• Liga Ventures: Brazilian innovation ecosystem operator focused on connecting startups with large corporations through open innovation programs and events. Comparable as a regional peer running similar corporate-startup matchmaking.

Regional players

• Ace Startups: Brazilian startup accelerator and corporate innovation program operator. Comparable as a Brazil-based acceleration provider with corporate partnerships, though operating more as a pure accelerator than a full-stack ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC_T1oPUhnV6QZUTL7c7Wrnw
• Facebookfacebook.com/hotmilkaccelerator
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hotmilk-pucpr/mycompany
• Instagraminstagram.com/hotmilk.pucpr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Hotmilk