Startup SC & Cubo Network & Sebrae SC

What Startup SC & Cubo Network & Sebrae SC does

Startup SC is a capacity-building and startup acceleration program operated by SEBRAE Startups in Santa Catarina, Brazil, a private non-profit institution established by federal law to support micro and small enterprises. Founded in 2013, the program delivers a two-year incubation journey integrating six in-person workshops per year in Florianópolis with regional coverage through Rede MIDIHUB, Brazil's largest network of technology-based incubators comprising 12 connected units across the state (MIDITEC in Florianópolis, Gene in Blumenau, Softville Agora in Joinville, Epsilon in Lages, INCTECh in Chapecó, ARATEC in Araranguá, GTEC in Rio do Sul, Sebrahub GovTech, Sigma in Tubarão, Fábrica Centro de Inovação in São Miguel do Oeste, Itec.In in Criciúma, and Marina Tech in Itajaí). The core technology is the MIDITEC incubation methodology, created by ACATE in partnership with SEBRAE/SC in 1998, which combines maturity diagnostics, individual action plans, monthly OKR/KPI tracking, themed capacity building, monthly check-ins, growth presentations, and subsidized consulting.

From 2026 onward, Startup SC is exclusively delivered to startups incubated within the Rede MIDIHUB network, replacing prior open-application cohorts. The business model is non-commercial: the program charges no fees and takes no equity from participants. Operating capital comes from FAPESC (R$1.6M per cohort plus ACELERA SC grants of up to R$80,000 per qualifying startup), SEBRAE federal contributions, and corporate sponsors including AWS, Zoho, Zendesk, Bossanova, Senior Sistemas, Investidores VC, Questum, 49 Educação, Capton, Dati, Febacapital, Koerich Lab, and WoW Aceleradora, which provide in-kind technology credits (up to US$10,000 AWS, US$10,000 Google Cloud, US$5,000 Digital Ocean, R$30,000 Zoho, six months Zendesk free, etc.) and event sponsorship. The program serves early-stage technology startups — preferably B2B — operating in IT, Health, Education, Agribusiness, Finance, and Logistics, supporting them through validation and traction stages into growth-ready scale-ups. Supporting offerings include Programa Nascer (pre-ideation), Startup Garage (university pre-incubation), Startup Weekend (54-hour idea validation events across 24+ municipalities), Meetup Startup SC (regional networking), Startup Summit (annual flagship event), and Jornada Startups (extended acceleration track). Since inception, the program has trained 540 startups across 15 cohorts, received 3,857+ project applications, and the alumni base has reached R$5.2 billion in combined market value, anchored by outcomes including RD Station's R$1.87B acquisition by Grupo Totvs, Asaas capturing R$820M in 2024, and Paytrack raising R$240M in 2025.

Name

Startup SC & Cubo Network & Sebrae SC

Legal name

Programa Startup SC (Sebrae Startups)

Website

https://startupsc.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SEBRAE Startups' Startup SC program operates Brazil's largest technology incubator network (Rede MIDIHUB, 12 units in Santa Catarina) to deliver a free, non-dilutive two-year incubation journey for early-stage B2B startups across IT, Health, Agribusiness, Finance, and Logistics, using the ACATE-validated MIDITEC methodology, government seed capital, and corporate partner credits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubation and Acceleration Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs (EDAMAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD), Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC)

Keywords

• Startup incubation services
• Business acceleration programs
• Entrepreneurship education
• Innovation ecosystem development
• Technology incubator network

Headquarters

HQ city

Florianopolis

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. Government-funded program: Startup SC is an initiative of Sebastro Startups, funded by FAPESC, Sebastro SC, and maintained by strategic partners including AWS, Zoho, Zendesk, and others who provide in-kind credits and services. The program itself is free for selected startups.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Programa Startup SC is a two-year, non-equity startup incubation and capacity-building program operated by SEBRAE Startups in partnership with Rede MIDIHUB, the largest network of technology-based incubators in Brazil. It delivers six in-person workshops per cohort in Florianópolis, monthly KPI/OKR tracking, themed trainings, specialized mentorship, subsidized consulting, and access to seed capital grants (up to R$80,000 from FAPESC) and corporate partner credits (AWS, Zoho, Zendesk, HubSpot, Google Cloud, among others) for technology startups based in Santa Catarina.

Product overview

Startup SC is a comprehensive startup acceleration and ecosystem development initiative by SEBRAE Santa Catarina, functioning as a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a single product. The core offering is the Programa Startup SC, a two-year capacity-building journey integrated with the Rede MIDIHUB incubator network (Brazil's largest network of technology-based incubators with 12 units). Supporting programs include Programa Nascer for pre-ideation, Startup Garage for university-based entrepreneurship, Startup Weekend for rapid idea validation, Meetup Startup SC for regional networking, and Startup Summit as the flagship annual event. Together, these programs form a full lifecycle support system from idea generation through scale-up, serving startups across Santa Catarina with workshops, mentorship, seed capital access, and investor connections.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Programa Startup SC A two-year startup acceleration and capacity-building program for early-stage technology startups in Santa Catarina, delivering six in-person workshops (three per year) in Florianópolis, monthly KPI/OKR tracking, themed trainings, specialized mentorship, subsidized consulting, access to FAPESC seed capital up to R$80,000, and corporate partner credits (AWS, Zoho, Zendesk, HubSpot, Google Cloud, etc.). Free for selected startups; no equity taken.
• Rede MIDIHUB Brazil's largest network of technology-based incubators, connecting 12 incubator units across Santa Catarina (MIDITEC, Gene, Softville Agora, Epsilon, INCTECh, ARATEC, GTEC, Sebrahub GovTech, Sigma, Fábrica Centro de Inovação, Itec.In, Marina Tech) to provide standardized incubation methodology, mentorship, and access to funding for startups.
• Programa Nascer Early-stage program focused on developing business ideas and concepts before startup formation, serving pre-incubation entrepreneurs in the SEBRAE Startups ecosystem.
• Startup Weekend 54-hour entrepreneurship event under the Techstars Startup Weekend brand bringing together developers, designers, and innovators to validate business ideas and create Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). Operates in 24+ municipalities across Santa Catarina in 2025.
• Startup Summit Major annual entrepreneurship event in Florianópolis gathering thousands of entrepreneurs and investors from across Brazil; expected to reach 5,000+ attendees with 100+ speakers.
• Meetup Startup SC Regional networking events held across multiple cities in Santa Catarina (Florianópolis, Joinville, Chapecó, Blumenau) featuring talks, connections, and opportunities for early-stage startups.
• Jornada Startups Extended acceleration track selecting startups that apply but are not admitted to the main Startup SC program, providing capacity building and ecosystem integration.
• Programa Startup Garage Methodology exclusive to SEBRAE designed to strengthen local entrepreneurship ecosystems, offering a four-meeting program covering discovery, product development, and investment readiness, including implementation at UDESC Planalto Norte.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,857+ projects applied since 2013
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, supporting and expansion.

• ACATE (Associacao Catarinense de Tecnologia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Founding strategic partner that created the MIDITEC methodology in 1998. ACATE leads the Rede MIDIHUB together with Sebastro Startups. Provides ecosystem connection, mentorship network, and industry partnerships.
• AWS (Amazon Web Services)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology partner providing up to US$10,000 in cloud credits for each selected startup. Also serves as program sponsor for Startup Weekend events.
• ZohomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology partner providing up to R$30,000 in credits on Zoho platform for startups. Ongoing sponsor of Startup Weekend and program activities.
• ZendeskmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner providing free access to Support Suite and Sales CRM for 6 months for participating startups. Sponsor of Startup Weekend events.
• QuestummajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerM&A advisory firm for startups providing mentorship on mergers, acquisitions, and fundraising. Managing partners serve as program mentors.
• Senior SistemasmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnterprise software company providing mentorship and program sponsorship. Supports Startup Weekend events and acceleration activities.
• 49 EducacaosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation partner providing training content and program sponsorship. Supports various Sebastro Startups initiatives.
• TechstarscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal accelerator providing Startup Weekend methodology and brand. The Startup Weekend program is the world's largest set of startup events, present in 150+ countries.
• HUB CerradoexpansionStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation hub in Goiania selected as the first location outside Santa Catarina for Rede MIDIHUB expansion. Starting January 2026, will implement the MIDITEC methodology in Goias state.
• UDESC (Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UDESC for Startup Garage program at UDESC Planalto Norte. First-time collaboration to strengthen entrepreneurship education through methodology developed by Sebastro.
• Rede MIDIHUB - All Connected IncubatorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of 12 technology incubators: MIDITEC (Florianopolis), Gene (Blumenau), Softville Agora (Joinville), Epsilon (Lages), INCTECh (Chapeco), ARATEC (Ararangua), GTEC (Rio do Sul), Sebrahub (GovTech), Sigma (Tubarao), Fabrica Centro de Inovacao (Sao Miguel do Oeste), Itec.In (Criciuma), Marina Tech (Itajai). Each unit maintains governance autonomy but shares standardized tools and processes.
• DatisupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology partner and program maintainer supporting Sebastro Startups.
• Koerich LabsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInnovation lab of Koerich group providing program sponsorship and mentorship connections.
• WoW AceleradorasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAccelerator partner providing program sponsorship and potential investment connections.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wow Aceleradora: Brazilian accelerator referenced as a partner in Startup SC's ecosystem. Comparable as a regional/national Brazilian accelerator supporting early-stage startups with mentorship and capital.
• Cubo Network: Brazil's flagship corporate-backed startup hub, sponsored by Itaú. Directly comparable as a multi-program, equity-free/community-led accelerator focused on Brazilian tech startups, and is named alongside Startup SC in the company record as a closely linked peer ecosystem.
• ACE Startups: Brazilian early-stage accelerator operating programs across the country. Directly comparable as a Brazilian-focused startup accelerator serving early-stage founders with mentorship and investor connections.

Broad incumbents

• Bossanova Investimentos: Most active VC in Latin America and Startup SC partner through the INOVA acceleration. Comparable as a capital provider to early-stage Brazilian startups and accelerator investor.
• Techstars: Global accelerator brand under which Startup Weekend is operated. Comparable as a global accelerator methodology provider and Startup Weekend brand owner, relevant via Startup SC's Techstars partnership.
• Wayra (Telefónica): Telefónica's global corporate accelerator with strong LatAm presence. Comparable as a corporate-backed, equity-taking startup accelerator serving early-stage tech founders across multiple geographies.

Regional players

• Beta-i: Portuguese innovation hub running accelerator and pre-acceleration programs. Comparable as a regional (non-Brazilian) operator of structured startup programs with corporate partnerships and methodologies.

Emerging players

• Station Houston: Tech hub/incubator model with regional corporate partnerships. Comparable as a multi-stakeholder innovation hub combining corporate partners, government, and accelerators under one ecosystem.

Others

• ACATE (Associação Catarinense de Tecnologia): Technology association co-leading Rede MIDIHUB with SEBRAE Startups. Comparable as the founding methodology partner behind MIDITEC and an ecosystem orchestrator for tech founders in Santa Catarina.
• FAPESC (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Estado de Santa Catarina): State research and innovation foundation providing seed capital grants via ACELERA SC. Comparable as a partner funding body whose grants underpin the Startup SC program's economic value to founders.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about Startup SC & Cubo Network & Sebrae SC