Accenture Innovation Trip Puts Brazil in the Sights of Silicone Valley

SAO PAULO, Nov. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - To get a close look at companies that are world leaders in innovation, 20 businessmen from LIDE Inovacao and LIDE Jovem got together for the Accenture Innovation Trip to Silicone Valley, California. A treasure trove of companies such as Google, Facebook and Twitter, the region is getting attention from Brazil not only for purposes of exporting innovation, but also to create channels for collaboration.

"The cycle created in the Valley by developers, investors and mentors has given more companies the opportunity and capacity to determine the success or lack of viability of business endeavors," says Andre Martins, President of LIDE Jovem.

One of the institutions visited by the group was Brazil Innovators, which operates in partnership with Endeavour and brings together young entrepreneurs from the region with Brazilian investors, as well as providing content to foster an entrepreneurial culture in Brazil. With a year and a half of operation and a network of 1,500 collaborators, it has already undertaken five direct investments, including bringing PayPal to Brazil.

Brazil Innovators, led by the Brazilian woman Bedy Young, seeks projects that can be accelerated by 500 Startups, a fund and accelerator of Mountain View. From US$ 25,000 to US$ 50 mil is invested in the company for a 3- to 6-month training, accompanied by coaching in the areas of design, marketing and management, which provide analysis and guidance in such areas as brand expansion and customer capture.

Of the 33 companies "accelerated" by 500 Startups, three are Brazilian. Qual Canal, which has created a technology for monitoring the impact of TV programs on Twitter; Cuponomia, a site that offers coupons to be used for online purchasing; and Mimplt, a platform that makes possible the development of sites and mobile applications even for people with little knowledge of the subject. Those selected will receive funding of US$ 50,000 for the period of the acceleration program, which began on October 4 and goes until the end of February, 2013.

Endeavor Global helps selected entrepreneurs to leverage the business growth curve by exchanging experiences with a network of mentors. It is the only place where going bankrupt is one of the basic steps to take by anyone seeking success. It is all the result of an entrepreneurial culture, with a basic formula for how to win in this setting: lots of attempts added to lots of work.

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SOURCE: Accenture Innovation Trip