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The Startup Ecosystem of Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo has 1,456 startups in our sample database. This represents about 47% of Brazil’s startups. Sao Paulo is the highest-ranked startup ecosystem in Brazil.

CITY RANKING

While Sao Paulo decreased by 6 spots in its global rank in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index of 2024, its ranking in Brazil remained stable at 1 nationally since 2023.

National Ranking

1st
0
In Brazil

Regional Ranking

1st
0
In South America

Global Ranking

23rd
-
6
Worldwide

Ecosystem

Startup Ecosystem Overview

gray concrete bridge over river


São Paulo, South America’s innovation hub, has a dynamic startup ecosystem The city serves as the nucleus for some of the continent’s most influential startups, drawing the attentionof investors and tech visionaries.


The Startup Ecosystem in São Paulo shows no signs of abating. With an ever-expanding user base of smartphone and internet enthusiasts and a profound economic transformation underway, São Paulo offers a fertile ground for startups specializing in innovative mobile solutions.


The Brazilian economic landscape is under transformation, characterized by the rapid ascent of the lower and middle classes. Moreover, São Paulo proudly stands as the financial hub of Brazil, bearing the weight of the nation’s economic prosperity. This role as the financial hub also positions the city as a magnet for multinational corporations, further showcases its economic potential.


Moreover, São Paulo has a rich pool of talent, owing to its numerous esteemed universities. While attracting the right talent to join a startup might pose a challenge when traditional job opportunities abound, the city’s academic resources enrich the talent pool.


There are many organizations that support entrepreneurs in Sao Paulo and InvestSP is one of the most important ones. InvestSP supports potential investors in their dialogue with public agencies, aiming to facilitate the decision making process and the implementation of new projects.


São Paulo’s startup success stories further showcases its strength. For example, C6 Bank, a full-service digital bank, has redefined banking services. Quinto Andar has streamlined rental processes for tenants and landlords, while Loggi optimizes same-day delivery and courier services. iFood, a Brazilian on-demand food delivery company, leverages innovative technology to transform the dining experience. Also, NuBank, a pantheon from Sao Paulo, was born in 2013 with the mission to fight complexity to empower people in their daily lives by reinventing financial services. Nu leverages proprietary technologies and innovative business practices to create new financial solutions and experiences for individuals and SMEs that are simple, intuitive, convenient, low-cost, empowering, and human.


These successes exemplify São Paulo’s entrepreneurial potential and its ability to foster innovation. While challenges like taxation and bureaucracy persist, the city serve as a nurturing ground for startups to pioneer creative solutions and propel São Paulo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to even greater heights.

Startups

Sao Paulo Top Startup Industries

Fintech icon
Fintech
#4 worldwide

254 startups

Ecommerce & Retail icon
Ecommerce & Retail
#17 worldwide

197 startups

Transportation icon
Transportation
#17 worldwide

26 startups

Ecosystem HealthCheck

Sao Paulo Ecosystem Health Check

The health check tables allow you to look at the performance Sao Paulo has in each of the parameters that are part of StartupBlink's ranking algorithm. There are five tables, corresponding to the three subscores, the subscore analysis and industry ana...

  • Overperformance
  • Performance equal to global ranking
  • Underperformance
IndustryGlobal rankMomentum YoYNumber of Startups
Global2321456
Fintech41248
Ecommerce & Retail00.0000.0000.00
Transportation00.0000.0000.00
Foodtech00.0000.0000.00
Edtech00.0000.0000.00
Energy & Environment00.0000.0000.00
Software & Data00.0000.0000.00

ECOSYSTEM

Browse the startup ecosystem database of Sao Paulo

Download list
Gupy startup logo
Software & Data | Enterprise Technology
Unranked
Creditas startup logo
Fintech | Financial Services
Unranked
Omiexperience startup logo
Software & Data | Enterprise Technology
Unranked
Buser startup logo
Software & Data | Enterprise Technology
Unranked
will bank startup logo
Fintech | Online Banking
Unranked
enjoei startup logo
Ecommerce & Retail | Ecommerce
Unranked
Memed startup logo
Healthtech | Health Care
Unranked
RecargaPay startup logo
Fintech | Financial Services
Unranked
Solfácil startup logo
Fintech | Financial Services
Unranked
ViajaNet startup logo
Social & Leisure | Travel
Unranked
ClickBus startup logo
Social & Leisure | Entertainment
Unranked

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Startup Ecosystem Charts

Startup Funding in Sao Paulo2017 - 2024

Startup Funding in Sao Paulo 2017 - 2024

From 2022 to 2023, startup funding in Sao Paulo has decreased by 49.47%. During this period, the number of deals in Sao Paulo has decreased by 44.58%. Since 2017, total startup funding in Sao Paulo exceeded US$ $32.01B.

Average Funding in 2023

$10.52M

Sao Paulo
Brazil
-8.84% YoY

Funding in 2023

$2.47B

Sao Paulo
Brazil
-49.47% YoY

Deals in 2023

235

Sao Paulo
Brazil
-44.58% YoY

USD

Amount of Funding (USD)

Number of Deals

20172018201920202021202220232024$0.00$15.00B$30.00B$45.00B$60.00B0200400600800

Ecosystem

The Startup Ecosystem in Sao Paulo

Our startup ecosystem map for Sao Paulo includes a sample of 1,456 tech companies. We have identified as unicorns 15 startups that have passed the USD 1 billion valuations. Contributing to the vitality of this startup ecosystem are the 1 pantheon member entity. Get the Pro account for unrestricted insights on this ecosystem.

Global Rank

Sao Paulo is ranked within the top 30 startup ecosystems globally.

Top Industries

Sao Paulo’s startups excel particularly in Fintech where it ranks 4 and in Ecommerce & Retail, and Transportation. Find out more

Top Cities for Startups in Brazil - Ranked by StartupBlink

StartupBlink ranks the startup ecosystems of more than 100 countries and 1,000 cities. Download our latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
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2024 National Rank CityGlobal Rank
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Total Score

Access subscores for 1000 cities and 100 countries

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Quantity Score
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Quality Score
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Business Score
1st
0
23rd
-
6
36.653
00.00
00.00
00.00
2nd
0
137th
+
3
5.041
00.00
00.00
00.00
3rd
0
146th
-
1
4.458
00.00
00.00
00.00
4th
0
173rd
+
14
3.579
00.00
00.00
00.00
5th
0
213th
+
2
2.183
00.00
00.00
00.00
6th
0
283rd
+
13
1.452
00.00
00.00
00.00
7th
+
1
396th
+
67
0.848
00.00
00.00
00.00
8th
-
1
471st
-
19
0.555
00.00
00.00
00.00
9th
+
4
494th
+
88
0.500
00.00
00.00
00.00
10th
-
1
531st
-
44
0.429
00.00
00.00
00.00
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Download CSV file
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Startups

Notable Startups in Sao Paulo
Gupy startup icon
Gupy
Creditas startup icon
Creditas
Omiexperience startup icon
Omiexperience

ECOSYSTEM

Why should you join Sao Paulo's Startup Ecosystem?

Overview

Within Sao Paulo there is an increased attraction for entrepreneurs to set up their startups in industries such as Fintech, Ecommerce & Retail, Transportation. These three industries represent about 33% of the startups represented on the Startup Ecosystem Map of Sao Paulo.

1st

National Rank

1st

Regional Rank

Overview

Sao Paulo is Brazil's 1st best startup ecosystem and is ranked 1st in South America. With a population of 10M+ people, Sao Paulo is ranked 23rd in the world. The city has some notable startup success stories including Gupy and its startup ecosystem infrastructure is strengthened by organizations such as Nubank and VIP OFFICE.

ECOSYSTEM
Startup Infrastructure in Sao Paulo
With a large variety of initiatives, Sao Paulo's startup ecosystem stands out from other cities in South America. Sao Paulo offers a number of funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and startups. Below is a list of Sao Paulo's most prominent support initiatives:

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