Unitec launches program focused on regional development

The initiative will create a network of local incubators to encourage the emergence and maintenance of new technology-based companies

On the morning of this Thursday, October 8th, the Innovation and Technology Unit – Unitec, the incubator of the São Leopoldo Technological Park – Tecnosinos, presented the + Startups Program: Unitec Network of Local Incubators. The official launch of the initiative took place at a meeting at Teams with online transmission. The meeting was attended by representatives of several state governments, members of the Industrial Commercial Association (ACI) of municipalities in the region, and members of sectoral hubs interested in investing in regional and local development.

For the CEO of Tecnosinos and director of Unitec, Susana Kakuta, the program is a simple initiative, but one that makes a real contribution to the Rio Grande do Sul. “Our program aims to create a network of startups, based on our history as a Park Technological. Today, São Leopoldo is a technological city and, through this program, we are inviting other cities, especially small and medium-sized ones, to participate in our Park. Since its conception, Tecnosinos works with the triple helix model, which generates a win-win and contributes to the growth of the State. Our first incubator in this program will be the city of Esteio”, highlighted Kakuta.

According to the president of the Network of Innovation Environments from RS (Reginp), Artur Roberto Gibbon, working with innovation has become essential for the State and for the world, so any action that promotes innovation should be highlighted. “This is a brilliant program that will, together with Inova RS, enhance the actions we have in the Rio Grande do Sul”, emphasized Gibbon.

For the president of the Federation of Business Entities of Rio Grande do Sul (Federasul), Sinome Leite, this union between academia, the private sector, and city halls is very productive. “We need to improve the entrepreneurial environment by enabling people to have opportunities, especially in this moment of crisis that we are experiencing”, reinforced Leite.

The president of the Federation of Associations of Municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul (Famurs), Emanuel Hassen de Jesus, highlighted the importance of the program for every city. “I am happy because the project presented is also viable for small municipalities, which alone would not be able to promote actions in this direction, especially in this year of the pandemic”, pondered Hassen.

The Secretary of Innovation, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul, Luís Lamb, congratulated the accomplishment of another delivery by Tecnosinos and the University. “The partnerships that Unisinos has always made with city halls and the state government are not new and are exemplary for the development of the region. I ask Unisinos to continue to be an example of social contribution and innovation for the Rio Grande do Sul ”, said Lamb.

The president of Unisinos, Fr. Marcelo Fernandes de Aquino recalled that community universities are one of the great assets of the State and that a good number of them have their technology parks. “The Rio Grande do Sul, due to its community universities and technological parks, has a great opportunity to renew the strength that once had in the Federation. Let’s embrace and take steps in search of a Rio Grande do Sul culturally, politically, economically, robust and healthy. We will combine our way of being with serious work. Regional development is a strategic dimension of the project led by Susana so that local communities become partners in the project to leverage the Rio Grande do Sul ”, concluded the rector.

About the + Startups Program

The + Startups Program: Unitec Network of Local Incubators will create a hybrid incubation modality, which will be directed to external agents, such as city halls and sectoral hubs, who are interested in leveraging regional or local development through the emergence and maturation of new base companies technological. In these new units, Unisinos will also be able to offer other education services, such as, for example, distance education centers, extension courses, and corporate projects.

The initiative aims to foster the development of startups across the Rio Grande do Sul and provide municipalities with the insertion in the knowledge economy, as an option for the local economy, enabling the participation of technology-based companies, based in partner cities, in the program incubation unit. In addition to promoting the retention of young talents in the region.


October 08, 2020
Tecnosinos