Centelha 3 São Paulo — Phase 2 (Projetos de Fomento)
Funds startup projects in São Paulo spanning AI, biotech, climate, energy, hardware, and manufacturing.
Centelha 3 São Paulo Phase 2 (Projetos de Fomento) is the project development stage of the Centelha 3 programme, a national initiative executed by FAPESP in São Paulo state under Finep's coordination. Phase 2 is open exclusively to teams that were selected as finalists in the Phase 1 (Ideias Inovadoras) stage, which closed on 21 May 2026. Up to 47 projects will receive non-refundable economic subsidy (subvenção econômica) of R$ 128,000 each, for a total programme pool of R$ 6,016,000. Each project is also eligible for up to R$ 50,000 in CNPq training scholarships, and individual researchers may additionally access a FAPESP PE-1 fellowship valued at R$ 64,440. Funding is disbursed in up to two instalments. The Phase 2 submission window runs from 23 July 2026 to 17 August 2026.
Eligible applicants are technology-based startups or founding teams registered in São Paulo, with a maximum team size of five members. Each team member may only be associated with one Centelha 3 Phase 2 project. The proponent must dedicate a minimum of 24 hours per week to the project. Companies that received funding through Centelha editions 1 or 2, or through FAPESP's PIPE programme, are not eligible. A minimum co-investment of 5% of the total subsidy value is required from each recipient team, in cash or in-kind. The project must involve the development of an innovative product, process, or service incorporating new technology with demonstrable market application.
Phase 2 evaluation assesses the technological innovation content, market viability, team qualifications, and the quality of the development plan submitted. Subsidy payments are milestone-linked, released in up to two tranches against deliverables. Teams with strong Phase 1 concepts should focus Phase 2 proposals on concrete product development milestones, a clear go-to-market path, and evidence that the São Paulo-based team can execute the project within the programme's duration requirements.
Technology-based innovation with market application — products, processes, or services that incorporate new technologies — for São Paulo startups that advanced from Centelha 3 Phase 1.
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