Brazil

Open Call: AIT Brazil

Are you a researcher-entrepreneur based in Brazil looking to turn your innovation into a high-potential startup? Apply by June 4, 2025, to the 11th edition of the Academia-Industry Training (AIT) Brazil.

The Academia-Industry Training (AIT) Brazil is a binational program designed to support emerging startup talents from Brazil and Switzerland. It offers tools, content, and exposure to help participants transform high-level applied research into sustainable and market-ready innovations.

AIT Brazil consists of two training camps with 10 participants from each country: a one-week program in Brazil (3 days in São Paulo, and 2 days in Rio de Janeiro or Florianópolis), and a one-week program in Switzerland. It also includes online preparation sessions and mentoring.

The program is organized by Swissnex in Brazil and the Leading House for the Latin American Region at the Institute of Management in Latin America – University of St.Gallen, in collaboration with the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI).

Swissnex leads participant recruitment in Brazil, while the Leading House manages the selection process in Switzerland. Swiss candidates can find more information at www.aitstartups.org.

Read the full call here:

Key Objectives

  • Supporting the development of sustainable, entrepreneurial and business skills;
  • Helping participants shape and strengthen their business models;
  • Offering access to international innovation ecosystems;
  • Fostering partnerships between Switzerland and Brazil.

Program Highlights

  • Two immersive training camps: one in Brazil and one in Switzerland;
  • Tailored mentoring, workshops, ecosystem visits and pitch sessions;
  • A strong alumni and partner network;
  • Up to 10 Brazilian and 10 Swiss startups/projects selected.

Who Can Apply - Brazilian startups

  • Be a Brazilian citizen (by birth or naturalization) or a foreigner with permanent residency
  • Hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree in any field of scientific knowledge;
  • Be affiliated with a Brazilian higher education or research institution;
  • Proficiency in English (an official language certificate is not mandatory, but language skills will be assessed during the evaluation and selection process). Both training phases, in Brazil and Switzerland, will be conducted entirely in English;
  • Be seeking to transform your research into sustainable, science- and technology-based innovations that aim for global impact.

Important Dates - Brazilian Candidates

  • Call launch: May 12, 2025
  • Info Session: May 19, 2025
  • Application deadline: June 4, 2025
  • Pre-selection results for interviews: June 6, 2025
  • Selection interviews: June 17 and 18, 2025
  • Final selection announcement: June 25, 2025
  • Kick-off meeting with selected candidates: July 10, 2025
  • Training Week in Brazil: September 8 – 12, 2025
  • Training Week in Switzerland: March 16 – 20, 2026

Apply now!

The 11th Academia-Industry Training Brazil

Ready to take your research beyond the lab? Then read the AIT Call (in Portuguese) at the top of the page, fill out the online application form, and don’t forget to attach your CV.

Apply Here
Apply Here

Related Sessions

Look at startups' experiences in previous editions!

    The 10th edition of the AIT program was an excellent opportunity for Biokolore to transform our research into market-driven innovation and showcase it to a global audience. Over two intensive weeks of training in Brazil and Switzerland—including workshops on business plan development and pitching—we built a strong network of potential partners and investors, gaining visibility within both the Brazilian and Swiss innovation ecosystems. Participating in the AIT program was a significant step toward advancing the market application of our research and shaping it into a robust business model.

    Fernanda de Oliveira Biokolore

    For Swiss founders who are keen to explore the Brazilian market, there is no better entry point than AIT. The Swissnex and Leading House team is really dedicated to making this a unique and successful experience. For me it resulted in many useful learnings and meaningful connections.

    Aris Mukherjee RTDT Laboratories

    My time at AIT Brazil was incredible. I gained a thorough understanding of Brazil’s startup landscape, and the daily workouts—led by skilled coaches alongside fellow entrepreneurs—kept me focused and engaged. The program provided an excellent platform for forging meaningful connections, while lectures from experienced professionals and founders offered practical, actionable insights. Concluding the Program with the START Summit was a real blast.

    Andrey Chernev DNAQuraCy

Contact

    Isabela Temístocles Gomes

    Program Manager
1
1

Partners