Once known primarily as an industrial hub, the city of Gravataí has been steadily transforming into a rising reference in innovation in southern Brazil. Since the creation of its Department of Innovation, Science, and Technology in 2021, the city has implemented a dedicated legal framework and launched a series of public and private initiatives aimed at strengthening the local innovation ecosystem. Among the highlights are the activation of PradoTech, the support for startup-focused programs, and active participation in Inova RS, a statewide development strategy.
According to Secretary of Innovation, Science, and Technology of Gravataí, Selma Fraga, the city’s transformation began with a small, inexperienced team and has since evolved into a consolidated, community-driven movement. “We started with a small team and little direct experience in innovation. Today, we have a qualified technical staff, structured public policies, and a movement that is sustained by the strength of our entrepreneurial community”.
At South Summit Brazil 2025, this progress became even more visible. As an official partner of the event, Gravataí brought its own projects to the Marketplace area of the state government’s pavilion, hosted by the State Department of Innovation, Science, and Technology (Sict). The city used the opportunity to strengthen regional partnerships and connect with innovation hubs from across the country.
“This year’s edition marked a symbolic turning point: we saw entrepreneurs and startups from Gravataí acting independently, without relying solely on the local government. That shows a true sense of ownership over the ecosystem,” Selma emphasized.
Having participated in all previous editions of South Summit Brazil, Gravataí now aims to elevate its presence. In 2026, the city plans to host an institutional booth to position its brand more prominently as a territory of innovation. “We want to create a space that welcomes investors and showcases what we are building. Our inspiration comes from strategies like the Gramado Summit, with a clear focus on visibility and positioning,” added Selma.
In addition to its institutional presence, PradoTech — the city’s innovation park — also served as an official partner of the South Summit this year. “Being on this global stage proves how far our ecosystem has come and highlights Gravataí’s potential as a future-forward innovation hub,” said PradoTech’s executive manager, Christian Antunes.
For Diraci Junior Trindade da Silva, CEO and founder of Trindtech, one of the startups incubated at PradoTech, the city’s presence at South Summit reflects the maturity of its local innovation environment. “We were born in Gravataí, inside PradoTech, and have taken full advantage of everything this ecosystem offers. Being at South Summit is the result of this momentum, which encourages startups to make connections and expand beyond the local scene”.
Although Trindtech wasn’t selected as a finalist in the Startup Competition, the company took part in other strategic activities and views the local ecosystem as a solid foundation for growth.
Looking ahead, Selma Fraga emphasizes that the mission is now to consolidate achievements and ensure long-term sustainability. “We’ve always advocated that innovation should not be tied to a specific government administration, but rather become part of the city’s identity. We’re proving that Gravataí has vision, strategy, and the ability to inspire other municipalities”.