The ACIS-SL begins work to establish the São Leopoldo IT Hub, under the management of Cláudio Coelho Marques (1996-1998). On December 17, a delegation of 13 businessmen and officials representing the six cities of the Regional Board for the Development of the Vale dos Sinos (Consinos) visits the Petrobas Research Center, the Bio-technology Hub of the Bio-Rio Foundation and the business incubator at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. A plan is established to define the concept of a São Leopoldo IT Hub.