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Startups from Across Brazil Can Now Apply for the 18th Batch of FGV Ventures

Acceleration program targets early-stage startups.

Applications are open until January 12, 2025, for the 18th Batch of FGV Ventures, the startup accelerator of the São Paulo School of Business Administration (FGV EAESP). The four-month program is open to early-stage startups from all over Brazil and aims to empower entrepreneurs through workshops and training sessions led by professors from the FGV network. Registration is free, and the selection criteria can be found at this link.

Startups selected for the program will also receive individualized strategic guidance and mentoring. In addition, participants will have access to coworking spaces and connections with FGV EAESP’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, including GV Angels and other investment funds.

To participate in the 18th Batch, startups must have a validated MVP (Minimum Viable Product) with real customers—that is, a functional first version of the product. The business must also demonstrate social and environmental responsibility, have diverse and complementary teams, and include at least one co-founder fully dedicated to the venture and actively seeking product-market fit.

According to Luciana Cualheta, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management at FGV EAESP and Director of FGV Ventures, 87 startups have gone through the program across 17 acceleration batches since 2016. Together, they have reached a combined valuation of over R$500 million and have raised more than R$150 million in investment.

“Considering that 90% of early-stage startups fail within two years, we highlight that the survival rate of startups that went through FGV Ventures is 63%. For the next batch, we are looking for startups from across the country with an ethical purpose and minimal negative externalities,” said the Director, emphasizing that participants do not need to be FGV students.

Startup Development in Batch 17

On November 28, the Demo Day for Batch 17 was held in the Main Hall of FGV EAESP. During the event, startups accelerated in the latest edition of the program pitched their businesses to a panel composed of Isabela Berdu, Investment Associate at Brazil Venture Capital (BVC); Semi Kim, Business Development Manager at AWS and advisory board member of FGV Ventures; and Victória Gomes, Venture Capital Analyst at GV Angels.

The panelists provided feedback and advice to help the startups continue growing after completing the FGV Ventures program.

Meet the startups accelerated in Batch 17:

  • Compras do Meu Jeito: A platform that reverses the traditional shopping model by allowing customers to express their purchase intentions, which are then directed to local retailers to find the best match for their needs. The platform acts as a bridge between online buyers and local commerce. [Learn more]

  • Larbor (Piscineiro Online): A startup offering tech solutions for pool maintenance using Internet of Things (IoT) to monitor and automate water quality, ensuring efficient management, reduced costs, and pools always ready for use. [Learn more]

  • Salez: This solution automates lead qualification using Artificial Intelligence to identify the most relevant information and deliver it to sales teams, allowing them to focus on closing deals and eliminating the need for pre-sales and initial contact. [Learn more]

  • Celeste: Offers automated transcription in six languages, along with AI-generated summaries and comments. Upcoming features include a chatbot for interacting with voice data and a Portuguese-language voice sentiment analysis model. [Learn more]

  • Vem Bumbar: An employability platform supporting the integration of Black African and Haitian immigrants into the Brazilian job market through professional training and intercultural education. [Learn more]

  • Go Out: An AI-based lead generation and prospecting tool on WhatsApp. It recommends nearby businesses with exclusive benefits while mapping and identifying leads for those businesses. [Learn more]

To learn more about FGV Ventures, Brazil’s first university-based accelerator, visit the website.