IFIA-ABIPIR LATAM Office participates in the Founders Institute São Paulo Graduation Ceremony
A Gala Night for Innovative Entrepreneurs
The IFIA–ABIPIR LATAM Office proudly participated in the graduation ceremony of the 2026 Founders Institute (FI) São Paulo cohort, a distinguished gala celebrating innovative entrepreneurs and emerging global startups. Representing the IFIA–ABIPIR LATAM Office, and serving as a Mentor, participation in this ceremony underscored the strong institutional collaboration between IFIA and the Founders Institute, based in Silicon Valley. FI is widely recognized as one of the world’s largest and most influential early-stage startup acceleration programs. This collaboration is formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering innovation-driven entrepreneurship worldwide.
The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA), represented by its President Mr. Alireza Rastegar, together with ABIPIR – the Brazilian International Association of Inventors, Scientists, and Innovative Entrepreneurs represented by its Founder and President Mr. Marcelo Vivacqua, share a common mission: to promote, encourage, and disseminate science, invention, technology, innovation, and business initiatives that generate meaningful solutions to global challenges and positively impact quality of life.
IFIA and ABIPIR warmly congratulate the newly graduated founders on this significant achievement. For more than three years, Mr. Marcelo Vivacqua has actively contributed to the Founders Institute program, mentoring startups in fundraising, intellectual property strategy, internationalization, and business modeling. While the entrepreneurial journey is demanding, the continuous growth and maturity of this innovation ecosystem remain deeply inspiring. Special appreciation is extended to FI directors Mr. Marco De Biasi and Ms. Mayra Motta for their outstanding organization of this impactful event.
During the ceremony, emphasis was placed on the importance of startups being born with a global DNA. Innovation must transcend borders to remain relevant and visible. As highlighted, Brazilian startups supported by ABIPIR have demonstrated remarkable international success, including outstanding performance at a major innovation exhibition in Croatia, where Brazilian participants received the highest number of awards proportionally among 30 countries. This achievement reinforces a clear message: global markets are eager for innovative solutions.
The role of formal international partnerships, including joint ventures, was also highlighted as a key driver of sustainable growth. Such collaborations enable technology transfer, accelerate business development, and support international expansion, while simultaneously facilitating soft-landing opportunities for foreign startups entering Brazil creating a strong and mutually beneficial innovation pathway.
For entrepreneurs considering participation in the next Founders Institute cohort, three compelling reasons stand out:
- Proven methodology – FI’s structured approach accelerates maturity, transforming ideas into investment-ready companies.
- Global network – Access to experienced mentors and an international community of founders opens doors to global opportunities.
- Results-oriented focus – The program prepares founders for real-world challenges in scaling and fundraising.
The event was a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, strengthen international collaboration, and witness the remarkable potential of emerging founders. IFIA remains committed to supporting global innovation ecosystems and fostering the next generation of impactful entrepreneurs.