AGS - Associação Gaúcha de Startups

What AGS - Associação Gaúcha de Startups does

AGS - Associação Gaúcha de Startups is a non-profit association founded in 2015 and headquartered in Porto Alegre, Brazil, that serves as the primary coordinating body for the startup ecosystem in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The organization operates on four strategic pillars — knowledge sharing, talent connection, access to investors, and business development — and reports engagement with 5,000+ entrepreneurs, 1,000+ startups, 100+ companies, and 50+ cities across the state. It does not develop a unified software product; instead, its offering is an integrated portfolio of ecosystem services comprising a tiered membership program, a recurring events calendar (Tech Invest, Giving Back, Connect Now, Deu Match, Empreendrinks, Invest Talk, Mentoring Day, Startup Class), the MATE Awards innovation recognition program, and StartupRS acceleration tracks (Digital, Scale, Start) supporting over 500 startups. Underlying technology is light: AGS uses the Softaliza association management platform for membership administration and event registration, supplemented by partner-built assets such as the Soha-developed Startup Map platform.

Name

AGS - Associação Gaúcha de Startups

Legal name

Associação Gaúcha de Startups

Website

https://agstartups.org.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

AGS is a non-profit association founded in 2015 in Porto Alegre, Brazil, that coordinates the Rio Grande do Sul startup ecosystem through tiered membership, recurring events, the MATE Awards, and StartupRS acceleration programs, serving 5,000+ entrepreneurs, 1,000+ startups, and 100+ companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Association Services

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Startup ecosystem development
• Non-profit industry association
• Innovation community building
• Membership association services
• Startup community events

Headquarters

HQ city

Porto Alegre

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees from three tiers: Free (community membership without benefits), Premium at R$200/year (full benefits including event discounts, exclusive invitations, matchmaking, mentoring access, and voting rights in assemblies), and Scale-Ups at R$1,200/year (for advanced startups supporting the association and ecosystem).
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Funding from mantenedores (sponsors) including companies like Vibee Unimed, Tecnicon, Tecnopuc, Conectarhub, Instituto Caldeira, Conexo, Fecomérico-RS, and Comece com o Pé Direito. Strategic partners provide additional ecosystem support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

AGS is a non-profit association that develops the startup ecosystem of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, organized around four pillars: knowledge sharing, talent connection, investor access, and business development. It delivers value through a tiered membership program (Free, Premium at R$200/year, Scale-Ups at R$1,200/year), a portfolio of recurring events (Tech Invest, Giving Back, Connect Now, Deu Match, Empreendrinks, Invest Talk, Mentoring Day, Startup Class), the MATE Awards innovation recognition program, and StartupRS acceleration programs supporting over 500 startups.

Product overview

AGS - Associação Gaúcha de Startups is a non-profit institution that serves as the main coordinating body for the startup ecosystem in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Rather than offering a unified software product, AGS provides an integrated portfolio of ecosystem services including a membership program with tiered benefits (Free, Premium, Scale-Ups), a comprehensive events calendar (Tech Invest, Giving Back, Connect Now, Deu Match, Empreendrinks, Invest Talk, Mentoring Day, Startup Class), the MATE Awards innovation recognition program, StartupRS acceleration programs (Digital, Scale, Start), and the Startup Map ecosystem visualization platform. The organization focuses on four pillars: knowledge sharing, talent connection, investor access, and business development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AGS Membership Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,000+ entrepreneurs engaged in the ecosystem
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• SEBRAE RS (SebraeX)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor strategic partnership with SEBRAE RS through its innovation brand Sebraex. Co-developed and co-executed MATE Awards, the flagship annual innovation awards recognizing ecosystem agents. SEBRAE RS provides funding and ecosystem credibility while AGS provides community reach and program execution.
• TecniconcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMantenedor (sponsor) providing financial support to AGS operations and ecosystem development. Logo displayed prominently on website as supporting partner.
• Tecnopuc (PUCRS Technology Park)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMantenedor from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul technology park. Provides ecosystem infrastructure and university connection for AGS members.
• Instituto CaldeiracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMantenedor and major innovation hub partner in Rio Grande doSul. Won MATE Awards 2023 Innovation Environment category. Core ecosystem partner providing physical space and program execution.
• ConexocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation environment partner and mantenedor. Also nominated for MATE Awards 2023 Innovation Environment category. Provides ecosystem infrastructure for AGS activities.
• Fecomérico-RS (Federação do Comércio)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMantenedor from the Commerce Federation of Rio Grande doSul. Provides business network access and legitimacy with established commercial sector.
• ConectarhubsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMantenedor and business connector providing market access and networking opportunities for AGS startups.
• Vibee UnimedsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMantenedor providing health sector connection and corporate partnership visibility for AGS ecosystem.
• Comece com o Pé DireitosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMantenedor and accounting/financial services partner specialized in startups. Provides member discounts on accounting, tax, financial, and labor advisory services.
• ABStartups (Associação Brasileira de Startups)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner from national startup association ecosystem. Provides national network connection and ecosystem legitimacy.
• Helice NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in innovation network. Supports ecosystem coordination and connection with national innovation initiatives.
• SohacoreTechnology or IntegrationScale-up member and technology partner that developed the Startup Map platform for MATE Awards 2023. Provided digital infrastructure for ecosystem mapping initiative.
• Ladies in TechsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner supporting diversity and inclusion in the startup ecosystem. Promotes female entrepreneurship and tech leadership.
• Comunidade RSsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional community partner supporting ecosystem connection and member engagement in Rio Grande do Sul.
• Aliança EmpresarialsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness alliance partner providing network access and corporate connection opportunities for AGS members.
• Hub CeleirosupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInnovation hub partner providing local ecosystem presence and member access to hub programs and facilities.
• Tijolo HubsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInnovation hub partner expanding AGS ecosystem reach through regional hub network.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator running corporate-sponsored programs. Comparable in running StartupRS-style acceleration programs and corporate-startup matchmaking, though Techstars takes equity and operates at much larger scale.
• Endeavor: Global high-impact entrepreneurship support organization with strong Brazil presence. Comparable in mission (selecting and scaling high-growth entrepreneurs) and in providing mentorship, investor access, and corporate connections, though Endeavor operates a more selective, for-profit-supporting model.
• Startup Grind: Global startup community and events platform operating in 125+ countries. Comparable in running chapter-based monthly events, mentorship, and investor networking, though Startup Grind is a for-profit with global scale.
• Wayra (Telefónica): Telefónica's global corporate venture and accelerator arm operating across Latin America. Comparable in providing corporate-startup connection, acceleration, and investment access, though structured as a CVC with equity participation.

Direct peers

• MassChallenge: Global non-profit accelerator with strong corporate partnerships. Comparable as a non-profit running equity-free acceleration programs with corporate sponsors — a similar operating model to AGS's StartupRS programs.
• NXTP Labs: Latin American early-stage VC and accelerator. Comparable in running acceleration programs (StartupRS-equivalent) for early-stage startups and connecting them with corporate partners across the region.
• ABStartups: National Brazilian startup association. Directly comparable as a membership-based non-profit that represents and connects the Brazilian startup ecosystem; AGS partners with ABStartups as its national umbrella.
• Distrito: Brazilian innovation ecosystem intelligence and corporate open-innovation platform. Comparable in mapping startups and connecting them with corporates and investors across Brazil, though Distrito is a for-profit data and SaaS business.

Emerging players

• Instituto Caldeira: Major innovation hub based in Porto Alegre, RS. Comparable as an AGS mantenedor and partner that provides physical space, programs, and ecosystem infrastructure; overlapping mission of supporting RS-based startups and innovation.

Regional players

• Startup Portugal: Portuguese national startup association. Comparable as a membership-based non-profit that promotes the local startup ecosystem, runs flagship events, and connects startups with investors and corporates, though operating in a different geography (Portugal vs. RS).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/agstartups
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alian%C3%A7a-empresarial
• Facebookfacebook.com/agstartups

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

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 AGS - Associação Gaúcha de Startups