Those who live in the present day can't imagine how this project was architected in the past.

The truth is that the creation and growth of Florianópolis' technology hub is the result of cooperative action.

The joint action was promoted by the federal, state and municipal governments, the federal university and the private sector.

Check out the timeline that created this Brazilian “Silicon Valley” below.

The 60s:

The history of the Florianópolis technology center began in 1960.

It all started with the creation of the Federal University and the establishment of the Federal Institute in new areas and specialties.

With the expansion of both, laboratories and research groups have grown, generating an environment of knowledge, innovation and research.

The 80s

A a CERTI Foundation was created in 1984, a technology and innovation center that develops products for Brazil and abroad.

In 1986, the country's first technology-based incubator was set up in Florianópolis:

Almost a decade later, it was called CELTA (Entrepreneurial Center for the Laboratory of Advanced Technologies)).

In the same year, the Santa Catarina Association of Technology Companies (ACATE).

And there's also the Condomínio Industrial de Informática (CII), in Trindade.

Technology and innovation have changed everything

The 90s

In 1993, the Alfa Technology Park was set up in the João Paulo neighborhood.

With 100m² and more than 70 technology companies installed, the Technology Park has created an environment geared towards innovation.

A Santa Catarina Research Support Foundation (FAPESC), is created 2 years later to promote science, technology and innovation

In 1998, the MIDI Tecnológico incubator was set up which, like CELTA, consolidated the Santa Catarina incubation model and made it a national benchmark.

The 2000s

In 2000, LABelectron was created, a factory-laboratory with the aim of supporting projects and the production of electronic products.

In 2002, an innovative project emerged, Sapiens Parque.

An innovation park with 4.5 million square meters, created for innovative initiatives in technology, tourism and services.

In 2006, Florianópolis was voted one of the “10 most dynamic cities in the world” by the international magazine Newsweek.

Technology Parks

2009 e 2010

In 2009, the ACATE Technology Park (ParqTec ACATE) was created in São Paulo, thus consolidating the Via da Inovação.

It is made up of universities, technology centers and condominiums for technology companies all along the SC 401 highway.

The Santa Catarina Innovation Law was regulated, a tool to further boost the technology sector in Florianópolis and the state.

Also in 2009, the Municipal Secretariat for Science, Technology and Sustainable Economic Development of Florianópolis City Hall (SMCTDES) was created.

It came with the aim of consolidating and expanding the role of the municipal administration in the economic growth of the municipality.

In March 2010, the Capital of Innovation logo was launched, representing Florianópolis' identity as a hotbed of innovative initiatives.

As a result, other technology parks have sprung up, such as Corporate Park.

2011

In 2011, the Municipal Innovation Bill was drawn up through a collaborative process with Florianópolis' innovation agents.

The bill was sent to the City Council in October.

Also in October, the 1st Municipal Science and Technology Week was held, with an agenda of events and actions carried out by various institutions.

Florianópolis was also visited by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Aloizio Mercadante, who visited the institutions and projects developed in the city. 

First city in the country to have a Municipal Innovation Law

2012

The Municipal Innovation Law was approved by the City Council and signed into law in May. 

In September, the first members of the Municipal Innovation Council were sworn in and the process of regulating the law began.

2015

Florianópolis City Hall is active on different fronts, encouraging the creation and growth of technology companies.

In this context, the move made by Florianópolis to be the first city in the country to have an active and functional Municipal Innovation Law shows the pioneering spirit of the public administration and positions the government as an important player in the local ecosystem.

Florianópolis is a reference in innovation

2018

Florianópolis is considered a national benchmark when it comes to innovation.

The sector's consistent growth is the greatest proof, as it is a clean industry that generates economic and sustainable development.

The creative economy is also beginning to show its strength, mainly through the Florianópolis Unesco Creative City label, since 2014, and the Floripa Conecta festival.

With 67,800 workers in 2019, Santa Catarina is the 4th largest state in terms of the number of employees in the Brazilian technology sector.

Behind São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro.

2020

Santa Catarina leads the way with the country's highest growth in the number of technology companies between 2015 and 2020.

It was a growth of 63.2%, well above the national average of 26.1%. 

The sector had the 6th highest turnover in the country in 2020, with R$ 19.8 billion invoiced, which represents 6.1% of Santa Catarina's GDP.

With 17,720 companies and growth of 28.4% in the last year, Santa Catarina's technology ecosystem is the 6th largest in the country in terms of number of companies.

In fact, among the capitals, Florianópolis has the highest density of companies per thousand inhabitants.

New Innovation Programs

2022

Innovation programs aimed at entrepreneurs and the importance of seeking a connection with the interests of the state.

Through calls for tenders we can generate opportunities for small businesses, start-up entrepreneurs, and thus promote economic and people development.

Fapesc, together with the State Government, fosters entrepreneurship and creates attractive environments to stimulate and retain talent.

The number of new jobs in the technology sector is on the rise, from 5,300 in 2022 to 6,600 in 2023.

The trend in Santa Catarina is to increasingly specialize technology companies. 

In the last decade, the number of In Core professionals has doubled in the state.

With information from Tech Report 2021, a study carried out by the Observatory of the Santa Catarina Technology Association (ACATE) with support from Finep

And also Florianópolis City Hall