Associação Polo Tecnológico do Oeste Catarinense - Deatec

What Associação Polo Tecnológico do Oeste Catarinense - Deatec does

DEATEC (Associação Polo Tecnológico do Oeste Catarinense) is a nonprofit technology association headquartered in Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brazil. It functions as the principal representative body for the technology sector in Western Santa Catarina and operates as the regional chapter of ACATE (Associação Catarinense de Tecnologia). The organization runs what it describes as the largest innovation hub in Santa Catarina, connecting more than 1,500 technology companies ranging from early-stage startups to established firms across the region.

The association's core offering is a portfolio of innovation and ecosystem programs rather than a single product. These include Miditec (a technology business incubator that has graduated over 130 startups across two decades and was ranked among the top five global incubators by UBI Global in 2018), Linklab (a corporate-startup accelerator), Acate Startups, Projeto Escalade (a co-working and R&D space), Thematic Groups, and Business Verticals (11 industry sectors with over 500 participating entrepreneurs). The organization also operates talent-pipeline initiatives such as Tour Tecnológico and Painel Profissões Tech to introduce high school and university students to the tech sector.

DEATEC's revenue model is community-led and subscription-based, with member companies paying annual fees for access to programs, networking events, and exclusive benefits such as health plans, insurance, and educational discounts. Revenue is supplemented by tiered corporate sponsorships (Diamond: Pollen Parque Científico e Tecnológico, Sicredi, Unochapecó; Platinum: IXC Soft). The association markets itself via a multilingual website (Portuguese, English, Spanish), social media, WhatsApp direct outreach, and co-organized regional events, while pricing is not publicly disclosed. DEATEC also exercises regulatory influence, having driven passage of Municipal Innovation Law 739/2021, which reduces ISS tax rates for Chapecó-based technology companies from 4% to as low as 2%.

Name

Associação Polo Tecnológico do Oeste Catarinense - Deatec

Legal name

Associação Polo Tecnológico do Oeste Catarinense

Website

https://deatec.org.br

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DEATEC is a Brazilian nonprofit technology association and innovation hub in Chapecó, Santa Catarina, operating as the Western chapter of ACATE. It connects 1,500+ regional technology companies through programs including Miditec, Linklab, Business Verticals, and startup support initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chapecó

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Association membership fees: DEATEC generates revenue through annual membership fees paid by associated technology companies. Member companies gain access to benefits, programs, networking events, job panel, exclusive events, and partnerships.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

DEATEC is a nonprofit technology association that operates the largest innovation hub in Santa Catarina, Brazil, connecting more than 1,500 technology companies in the Western region of the state. Its core offering is membership-based access to a portfolio of programs (Acate Startups, Linklab, Miditec, Projeto Escalade, Grupos Temáticos, Verticais de Negócios), exclusive partner benefits, qualification and talent development programs, regional networking events, and advocacy for innovation policy including the Municipal Innovation Law 739/2021.

Product overview

DEATEC (Associação Polo Tecnológico do Oeste Catarinense) is a technology association and innovation hub that serves as the main representative of the technology sector in the western region of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Rather than offering a unified product or platform, DEATEC provides an ecosystem of programs, projects, and member services including: Acate Startups (startup support program), Linklab (innovation acceleration connecting large companies with startups), Miditec (technology business incubator), Projeto Escalade (collaborative innovation environment), and Grupos Temáticos (thematic groups for networking). The association also manages regional projects such as Lei Municipal de Inovação (municipal innovation law), Tour Tecnológico (technology tours for students), Painel Profissões Tech (career panels), Empresário Destaque em Tecnologia (technology entrepreneur award), and Eventos Regionais (regional events). DEATEC connects over 1,500 technology companies and offers exclusive benefits to member companies including access to facilities, training, networking events, and business development support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DEATEC/ACATE Membership
• Acate Startups
• Linklab
• Miditec Technology Business Incubator Technology business incubator that has graduated over 130 startups across two decades and was ranked among the top 5 best incubators globally by UBI Global in 2018. Co-funded and supported by SEBRAE/SC.
• Projeto Escalade Collaborative innovation environment offering co-working and R&D space for technology companies and startups within the DEATEC/ACATE ecosystem.
• Grupos Temáticos (Thematic Groups) Thematic networking groups that bring together technology companies around specific topics and industry themes for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
• Verticais de Negócios (Business Verticals) Eleven industry vertical programs (Business Verticals) engaging over 500 entrepreneurs in sector-specific networking, business development, and partnership opportunities within the ACATE ecosystem.
• Painel de Vagas (Job Board) Technology job board provided to member companies for posting positions and recruiting qualified tech talent in the Western Santa Catarina region.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 1,500 companies connected through the DEATEC innovation hub in Santa Catarina
• +3 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Pollen Parque Científico e TecnológicocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond-tier sponsor and co-host of DEATEC programs. Joint operator of the Tour Tecnológico initiative alongside NTIC ACIC. DEATEC member companies have access to Pollen Parque facilities including CIAD One, CIAD Downtown, and office spaces within the technology park.
• SicredicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond-tier sponsor providing financial cooperative services and support to DEATEC's innovation ecosystem. Sicredi also appears as a member company listed in DEATEC's associated companies directory.
• Unochapecó (Universidade Comunitária da Região de Chapecó)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond-tier sponsor and key academic partner. Unochapecó collaborates with DEATEC on the Tour Tecnológico, Painel Profissões Tech, student talent development, and research projects. The university also offers exclusive discounts to DEATEC member companies.
• IXC SoftmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-tier sponsor of DEATEC. IXC Soft develops ISP management software and is an active member of the DEATEC/ACATE ecosystem, participating in programs and contributing to the regional technology community.
• ACATE (Associação Catarinense de Tecnologia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDEATEC is the Western Santa Catarina chapter of ACATE, the principal technology association in the state. Through this affiliation, DEATEC members gain access to ACATE's programs including Acate Startups, Business Verticals (11 sectors), Thematic Groups, Miditec incubator, Linklab accelerator, and statewide networking and advocacy. ACATE is headquartered in Florianópolis, SC.
• ACIC (Associação Comercial e Industrial de Chapecó)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner73-year-old business association and one of the most representative business entities in Chapecó. ACIC collaborates with DEATEC on joint initiatives including the Tour Tecnológico (via NTIC ACIC) and shares the goal of strengthening the regional business and technology ecosystem.
• Prefeitura de Chapecó (City Government of Chapecó)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe municipal government is a key partner, having worked with DEATEC to establish the Municipal Innovation Law (Lei 739/2021). The Mayor sanctioned the law at a meeting of the Municipal Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, which DEATEC participates in. The government also co-supports DEATEC's visit scheduling system.
• SEBRAEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational support organization for small businesses. SEBRAE/SC co-funds and supports the Miditec incubator and provides additional programs and resources to DEATEC member companies and startups in the ecosystem.
• SENAImajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational education institution collaborating with DEATEC on workforce qualification and technical training programs for member companies and the regional tech talent pipeline.
• SENACmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation institution active in Chapecó since 1978, providing courses ranging from free vocational training to graduate degrees and corporate education. SENAC offers DEATEC member companies access to its course portfolio and customized corporate training solutions.
• UNOESC (Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional university providing academic collaboration, student engagement, and educational programs for DEATEC member companies. UNOESC participates in DEATEC's ecosystem and offers member discounts on undergraduate, graduate, and extension courses.
• CERTA Corretora de SegurosminorOthersInsurance broker founded in Chapecó in 1987, providing integrated insurance solutions to DEATEC member companies as part of the association's exclusive benefits package.
• UFFS (Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal university with a campus in Chapecó, collaborating on academic projects, student engagement, and research initiatives within the DEATEC ecosystem.
• UNIMED ChapecóminorOthersHealth cooperative providing enterprise health plans as part of the exclusive benefits package offered to DEATEC member companies.
• UNIODONTOminorOthersDental plan provider included in DEATEC's exclusive benefits package for member companies and their employees.
• SICREDImajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial cooperative listed as a DEATEC partner, offering banking and financial services to the regional technology ecosystem.
• SODEXOminorOthersInternational benefits and rewards services company included in DEATEC's partner network, providing meal and benefits vouchers to member companies.
• SICOMminorOthersMunicipal Commerce and Industry Council of Chapecó collaborating on regional business development and technology ecosystem initiatives.
• UCEFFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution in Chapecó providing academic programs and collaboration with DEATEC on student and talent development initiatives.
• SEPROSC (Sindicato das Empresas de Processamento de Dados, Software e Serviços Técnicos de Informática do Estado de SC)minorOthersTrade union representing data processing, software, and IT services companies in Santa Catarina. Listed as a DEATEC partner for industry representation and advocacy.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Distrito: Brazilian open innovation and corporate-startup matching platform that connects large enterprises with startups and innovation hubs. Comparable to DEATEC's Linklab accelerator and corporate-startup programs, with a broader national data and analytics layer.
• Liga Ventures: Latin American open innovation and corporate venture platform that maps startups and runs corporate-startup matching programs. Conceptually similar to DEATEC's Linklab and Business Verticals initiatives, with a LATAM rather than regional focus.

Direct peers

• ACATE (Associação Catarinense de Tecnologia): DEATEC is the Western Santa Catarina chapter of ACATE, the principal state-level technology association. ACATE operates the same member-based model, runs Miditec, Linklab, Acate Startups, and Business Verticals, and is the most directly comparable organization in terms of mission, programs, and target audience.
• ABStartups (Associação Brasileira de Startups): National Brazilian association dedicated to representing and supporting the startup ecosystem. ABStartups runs member programs, events, and advocacy similar to DEATEC's community-led approach, but at the national level rather than regional.

Others

• CITi (Centro Integrado de Tecnologia e Inovação): Brazilian university-anchored technology and innovation center that runs startup programs and corporate partnerships. Operates a similar capability-building model to DEATEC's incubator and accelerator programs, but from an academic anchor in a different state.
• ApexBrasil (Agência Brasileira de Promoção de Exportações e Investimentos): Brazilian government agency promoting exports and foreign investment, including technology sector initiatives. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but engages with the same ecosystem of Brazilian tech companies and supports events similar to DEATEC's regional gatherings.

Regional players

• ACIJ (Associação Empresarial de Joinville): Business association serving the Joinville region in Santa Catarina, running member services, events, and innovation initiatives. Comparable to DEATEC as a regional Santa Catarina business and innovation association, but with a broader industrial base rather than tech focus.
• InovaPOA (Inovação de Porto Alegre): Innovation hub initiative associated with Porto Alegre's tech and startup ecosystem. Comparable as a regional innovation hub model operating in southern Brazil, but serving a different metropolitan area (Rio Grande do Sul) rather than directly competing with DEATEC.

Broad incumbents

• Endeavor Brasil: Leading Brazilian high-impact entrepreneurship support organization operating across multiple regions. Endeavor shares DEATEC's mission of building entrepreneurial ecosystems and running selective programs for founders, but at a national scale with different funding mechanisms.
• Softex (Associação para Promoção da Excelência do Software Brasileiro): National-level Brazilian technology and software industry association representing software, services, and IT firms across Brazil. Softex operates as a broader incumbent with national scope, but shares DEATEC's member-association model and focus on capability-building for tech companies.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/deatec
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCe2fVeDIZMINuY2-p8pxKxQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/acatesc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deatec-acate
• Instagraminstagram.com/acate.sc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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