On 2 April, the Anprotec announced the finalists for the 2026 National Innovative Entrepreneurship Award, recognising leading programmes and initiatives developed within Brazil’s innovation environments, including incubators, accelerators, hubs, technology parks and impact businesses.
The award, relaunched in 2024, continues to reinforce Anprotec’s role in strengthening and showcasing Brazil’s innovation ecosystem. This year’s Demo Day and awards ceremony will take place during the 36th Anprotec Conference, held in Manaus from 29 June to 2 July 2026.
The 2026 edition received a record 64 applications, representing an increase of more than 50 percent compared to the previous edition. This growth highlights the award’s rising importance as a national benchmark and reflects the increasing maturity of Brazil’s innovation ecosystems. As a result, the evaluation process has become more competitive, with stricter assessment criteria applied by the evaluation committee.
Adriana Faria, President of Anprotec, emphasised the growing impact of the initiative, noting that the previous edition demonstrated strong community engagement and a high level of project quality. She added that the 2026 edition aims to further increase the visibility of innovative initiatives, promote knowledge exchange, and strengthen collaboration between innovation environments contributing to national development.
Maíra Nobre, Director of Networks and Associates at Anprotec, highlighted the standard of this year’s submissions, stating that the finalists represent not only technological advancement but also tangible regional impact, stronger collaborative networks, and the development of sustainable solutions.
Categories and finalists
The finalists are distributed across five categories:
Business Incubator – Adelino Medeiros Trophy
Recognising incubation programmes that support innovative entrepreneurship and regional impact:
• CEI/UFRGS – CEI Methodology: Excellence in Deep Techs and innovation pipeline development
• Unitec Unisinos – Promoting development through innovative entrepreneurship
• Pulsar/UFSM – Technological Incubator of the Federal University of Santa Maria
Accelerator – Lynaldo Cavalcanti Trophy
Highlighting structured acceleration programmes that connect startups with markets and investors:
• Feevale – BRDE Labs RS
• Centev/UFV – tecnoPARQ Acelera
• Ventiur – Integrated training, mentoring and investment programme
Innovation Hub – Cristiano Becker Trophy
Recognising hubs fostering collaboration between startups, companies and institutions:
• Firjan – Casa Firjan
• Biopark – Innovation Hub and regional dairy transformation initiative
• Mescla – PUC-Campinas Innovation Hub
Science and Technology Park – Telmo Silva Araújo Trophy
Awarding parks that drive R&D, investment attraction and socioeconomic impact:
• UFRJ – Living Lab at the Technology Park
• UPF – Open Innovation Platform and Passo Fundo Valley Innovation District
• Porto Digital – Innovation for urban regeneration
Impact Businesses – Carlos Eduardo Negrão Bizzotto Trophy
Recognising companies delivering solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals:
• NUTEC – Sustainable feed solutions for dairy production
• BHTec – No Bottles initiative
• SprinT Curitiba (UTFPR) – Acoustic sensing system for pipeline leak detection
Next steps and timeline
Following the announcement of finalists on 2 April, the award process will continue with a video submission phase until 24 April. Voting among Anprotec members will take place from 28 April to 8 May, with engagement contributing to the final evaluation.
Finalists will present their projects during Demo Day on 29 June 2026, followed by the official awards ceremony on 1 July, both held as part of the Anprotec Conference in Manaus.
Awards
Winners in each category will receive a trophy, an official certificate from Anprotec, free registration for the 2027 conference, and a credit of BRL 1,000 to be used for association activities.