Brazil

Academia-Industry Training (AIT) Brazil

AIT Brazil is a collaboration between Switzerland and Brazil that supports researcher-entrepreneurs in transforming scientific research into market-ready solutions.

Born from a partnership between Swissnex in Brazil, the Leading House Latin America (University of St. Gallen), the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), the program connects innovation ecosystems, develops entrepreneurial skills, and boosts scientific startups with global impact

Typically, each edition begins in the second half of the year and brings together 10 Brazilian and 10 Swiss startups for two immersion weeks, one in Brazil and another in Switzerland. The selected startups participate in workshops, mentoring sessions, technical visits, and hands-on activities that provide tools, knowledge, and visibility to transform applied research into sustainable, market-ready innovations. Each cycle strengthens entrepreneurial skills, expands networks, and creates opportunities in both countries.

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  • Connection, Collaboration and Transformation

    Through the voices of organizers and participants of the AIT Brazil 11th edition, this video reveals how AIT Brazil creates the kind of connections that truly move ideas forward.

Get to know the program

  • Preparation phase

    During AIT Brazil, selected startups begin their journey with preparatory meetings and one-on-one mentoring sessions with market experts from various sectors.

  • Weeks in Brazil and Switzerland

    After the preparation phase, the 20 entrepreneurs gather in Brazil for a week of group training, knowledge exchange, and engagement with stakeholders from the innovation ecosystem, including companies, accelerators, and investors. In Switzerland, the journey continues with a week of training focused on internationalization, along with workshops, visits, a pitch competition, and participation in the Start Summit, one of the country’s most relevant startup events.

Who is AIT Brazil for?

AIT Brazil is an ideal program for early-stage science- and technology-based startups, up to three years old, that are seeking internationalization, entrepreneurial skill development, and strategic connections within the innovation ecosystems of Brazil and Switzerland.

To participate, the criteria are:

  • 0 1

    Be a Brazilian or Swiss citizen (native or naturalized), or a foreigner with permanent residency in Brazil or Switzerland;

  • 0 2

    Hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree in any area of scientific knowledge;

  • 0 3

    Be affiliated with a Brazilian or Swiss higher education or research institution;

  • 0 4

    Have proficiency in English (an official certificate is not required, but language skills will be assessed during the selection process). Both training phases, in Brazil and Switzerland, will be conducted entirely in English;

  • 0 5

    Aim to transform your research into sustainable, science- and technology-based innovations with global impact.

Previous editions

AIT Brazil 11th edition

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The 11th edition of AIT Brazil took place in São Paulo and, for the first time, in Florianópolis, the startup capital of Brazil, featuring 8 Swiss and 10 Brazilian startups.

AIT Brazil 10th edition

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Taking place in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, two of Brazil’s main innovation hubs, AIT 10 brought together 11 Swiss and 11 Brazilian startups to bring their research to market.

News & Open Calls

Partners

The Academia–Industry Training (AIT) Brazil connects researcher-entrepreneurs from Switzerland and Brazil, turning cutting-edge research into innovations ready for the market. It offers participants a unique chance to discover new ecosystems and business opportunities and build lasting international partnerships. AIT Brazil is powered by Swissnex in Brazil, the Leading House Latin America (University of St.Gallen), the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI), and the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).

  • Swissnex
  • University of St Gallen
  • mcti
  • cnpq

Connect with us

Isabela Temístocles

Program Manager for Innovation and Startups

As Program Manager, Isabela leads AIT Brazil on the Swissnex in Brazil side and related initiatives, fostering collaboration between Switzerland and Brazil in innovation and entrepreneurship. With experience supporting startup internationalization, public-private partnerships, and strategic alliances, she plays a key role in building bridges that create real impact across both ecosystems. Get in touch with Isabela to learn more.

Vicenzzo Arrighi Spedo

Program Manager

As Program Manager at Swissnex in Brazil, he works to strengthen the dialogue between Brazil and Switzerland, especially in areas where creativity, technology, and public impact meet. Get in touch with Vicenzzo to learn more.