Curitiba will be the hub that connects startups, small businesses, investors, ecosystem leaders and institutions linked to innovative entrepreneurship on the 24th and 25th of July. The 11th edition of ConectaPR will be held at the Sebrae/PR headquarters, with the concept “Where meetings become action” and a program focused on generating business, exchanging knowledge and strengthening the innovation ecosystem.
Promoted by Sebrae/PR, the event brings together experts, entrepreneurs, executives, investors and representatives of companies and institutions that work on different fronts of innovation. The agenda includes lectures, panels, workshops, mentoring, business rounds, a startup fair, connection environments, immersive experiences and meetings with investors.
ConectaPR was structured to bring together those who undertake, invest, develop solutions and seek new market opportunities. The program covers topics such as artificial intelligence applied to business, attracting investment, internationalization, open innovation, creative economy, technology for traditional sectors, social impact and growth of startups.
In 2025, the event brought together around 1,300 participants. Photo: Innovate.
For Rafael Tortato, Startups and ICT coordinator at Sebrae/PR, the event reinforces the institution’s role as an articulator of the innovation ecosystem and as a bridge between entrepreneurs, small businesses, investors and the Paraná innovation ecosystem.
“ConectaPR was designed to transform relationships into concrete opportunities. When we bring together startups, investors, companies, universities, leaders and institutions in the same environment, we create conditions so that new partnerships, businesses and projects can emerge. Our intention is precisely to strengthen these connections and bring innovation closer to the reality of those who undertake”, says Tortato.
Among the confirmed names is Peter Kronstrøm, Danish specialist in future studies, trends and competitiveness, founder of the Horizons Institute and active in Latin America. At ConectaPR, he presents the lecture “From Megatrends to Results: The New Logic of Competitiveness in Startups and Companies”.
Peter Kronstrøm, Danish with a talk on competitiveness | Photo: Disclosure
The program will also include Vinicius Cardoso, from Renault LATAM, who will talk about artificial intelligence applied to productivity and results; Robertta Mota, focusing on investment and decision-making for VCs, CVCs and corporations; Marcus Tonin, specialist in digital communications and personal branding; MM Izidoro, reference in storytelling and narrative innovation; Gabi Valente, from Escola de Diaristas; and Rafael Liporace, co-founder of Tardezinha.
The presence of the Escola de Diaristas is one of the examples of how the event expands the concept of innovation beyond technology. Entrepreneur Gabi Valente will present how a demand present in the routine of thousands of families and professionals can be transformed into a business solution, with a focus on professionalization, social impact and financial sustainability. The case shows how ideas created based on real market needs also have space in the startup and innovation environment.
ConectaPR is organized into four major tracks: Market and Partnerships; Innovation Applied to Sectors; Growth and Operation for Startups; and Community, Inclusion and New Ways of Belonging. The proposal is to connect market trends and practices to the reality of startups, small businesses and companies seeking to innovate.
Gabi Valente, from Escola de Diaristas | Photo: Disclosure
Experiences that go beyond the stage
One of the differences of this edition is the creation of environments and formats designed to encourage spontaneous and qualified connections. Among them are the Sebrae Hosts, professionals who will act as relationship facilitators during the event; Coffee Sessions, aimed at networking in more informal environments; and Corridor Pitch, a dynamic in which entrepreneurs present their startups to investors quickly and objectively.
The event will also feature a startup fair, business meetings, consultancy spaces, sectoral environments, a games area, open innovation activities and programming focused on topics such as industry, retail, tourism, agriculture and audiovisual production.
Curitiba as an extension of the event
In 2026, ConectaPR will expand its presence beyond the two official programming days. The agenda includes side events during the week and guided tours of the main innovation environments in Curitiba.
The Guided Tour, available to participants who opt for this type of entry, will take the public to hubs such as Hotmilk, Pinhão Hub, GovTech and Habitat Senai, bringing participants closer to spaces that drive innovation, entrepreneurship and new business development initiatives in the capital of Paraná.
The proposal is to reinforce Curitiba as a strategic environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, connecting participants to companies, institutions, startups, investors and spaces that move the regional ecosystem.
More information about the program and forms of participation are available at: https://sebraepr.com.br/lp/conecta/
Curitiba will be the hub that connects startups, small businesses, investors, ecosystem leaders and institutions linked to innovative entrepreneurship on the 24th and 25th of July. The 11th edition of ConectaPR will be held at the Sebrae/PR headquarters, with the concept “Where meetings become action” and a program focused on generating business, exchanging knowledge and strengthening the innovation ecosystem.
Promoted by Sebrae/PR, the event brings together experts, entrepreneurs, executives, investors and representatives of companies and institutions that work on different fronts of innovation. The agenda includes lectures, panels, workshops, mentoring, business rounds, a startup fair, connection environments, immersive experiences and meetings with investors.
ConectaPR was structured to bring together those who undertake, invest, develop solutions and seek new market opportunities. The program covers topics such as artificial intelligence applied to business, attracting investment, internationalization, open innovation, creative economy, technology for traditional sectors, social impact and growth of startups.
For Rafael Tortato, Startups and ICT coordinator at Sebrae/PR, the event reinforces the institution’s role as an articulator of the innovation ecosystem and as a bridge between entrepreneurs, small businesses, investors and the Paraná innovation ecosystem.
“ConectaPR was designed to transform relationships into concrete opportunities. When we bring together startups, investors, companies, universities, leaders and institutions in the same environment, we create conditions so that new partnerships, businesses and projects can emerge. Our intention is precisely to strengthen these connections and bring innovation closer to the reality of those who undertake”, says Tortato.
Among the confirmed names is Peter Kronstrøm, Danish specialist in future studies, trends and competitiveness, founder of the Horizons Institute and active in Latin America. At ConectaPR, he presents the lecture “From Megatrends to Results: The New Logic of Competitiveness in Startups and Companies”.
The program will also include Vinicius Cardoso, from Renault LATAM, who will talk about artificial intelligence applied to productivity and results; Robertta Mota, focusing on investment and decision-making for VCs, CVCs and corporations; Marcus Tonin, specialist in digital communication and personal branding; MM Izidoro, reference in storytelling and narrative innovation; Gabi Valente, from Escola de Diaristas; and Rafael Liporace, co-founder of Tardezinha.
The presence of the Escola de Diaristas is one of the examples of how the event expands the concept of innovation beyond technology. Entrepreneur Gabi Valente will present how a demand present in the routine of thousands of families and professionals can be transformed into a business solution, with a focus on professionalization, social impact and financial sustainability. The case shows how ideas created based on real market needs also have space in the startup and innovation environment.
ConectaPR is organized into four major tracks: Market and Partnerships; Innovation Applied to Sectors; Growth and Operation for Startups; and Community, Inclusion and New Ways of Belonging. The proposal is to connect market trends and practices to the reality of startups, small businesses and companies seeking to innovate.
Experiences that go beyond the stage
One of the differences of this edition is the creation of environments and formats designed to encourage spontaneous and qualified connections. Among them are the Sebrae Hosts, professionals who will act as relationship facilitators during the event; Coffee Sessions, aimed at networking in more informal environments; and Corridor Pitch, a dynamic in which entrepreneurs present their startups to investors quickly and objectively.
The event will also feature a startup fair, business meetings, consultancy spaces, sectoral environments, a games area, open innovation activities and programming focused on topics such as industry, retail, tourism, agriculture and audiovisual production.
Curitiba as an extension of the event
In 2026, ConectaPR will expand its presence beyond the two official programming days. The agenda includes side events during the week and guided tours of the main innovation environments in Curitiba.
The Guided Tour, available to participants who opt for this type of entry, will take the public to hubs such as Hotmilk, Pinhão Hub, GovTech and Habitat Senai, bringing participants closer to spaces that drive innovation, entrepreneurship and new business development initiatives in the capital of Paraná.
The proposal is to reinforce Curitiba as a strategic environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, connecting participants to companies, institutions, startups, investors and spaces that move the regional ecosystem.
Source: www.agenciasebrae.com.br
