Accreditation of accelerators for technology-based startup companies

By Valéria Gomes e Giovanna Guerreiro do PD&I

According to Article 24 of Decree No. 10,521 of October 15, 2020, an accelerator is defined as a legal entity, with or without profit purposes, whose objective is to provide temporary support for the growth of technology-based startup companies headquartered or primarily operating in the Western Amazon or in the State of Amapá. This support is provided through a structured process, which may include, or not, financial capital investments in exchange for possible equity participation in the companies boosted through the acceleration program.

The accredited accelerator, as established in Article 3 of CAPDA/ME Resolution No. 22 of July 5, 2022, is responsible for updating and indicating the technology-based startup companies linked to it that may receive the tax and financial incentives provided for in Law No. 8,387 of December 30, 1991, notifying the Executive Secretariat of CAPDA and making this list publicly available on its website.

ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS

The authorization process for accelerators to carry out their activities must meet the following criteria:

I - be headquartered, or have a physical unit, head office, or branch, in the Western Amazon or in the State of Amapá;

II - have an Acceleration Program with a detailed characterization of activities related to prospecting, selection, support, evaluation, and graduation of technology-based startup companies, as well as the financial investment guidelines and, when applicable, Pre-Acceleration and Post-Acceleration Programs with the same level of characterization;

III - have human resources for the management of the accelerator and provide, directly or indirectly, services and training in business management, technological innovation management, and market management of products and/or services;

IV - have physical space and infrastructure compatible with the execution of product, process, and service development activities to host technology-based startup companies;

V - have a set of business performance monitoring indicators, as well as its own economic and financial indicators demonstrating its capacity to generate scale in supported businesses; and

VI - present a record of implementation and/or execution of at least one (1) acceleration program inside or outside the Western Amazon or the State of Amapá, carried out independently or through a Knowledge Transfer Cooperation Agreement, valid at the time of the accreditation request and for a minimum period of 12 months.

In accordance, the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the accelerator must include the combined set of activities corresponding to acceleration.

ACCREDITATION REQUEST

When applying for authorization for accreditation, the following must be submitted:

I - demonstration of the existence of an Acceleration Program and, when applicable, Pre-Acceleration and Post-Acceleration Programs to prove compliance with item II of the requirements;

II - documents demonstrating compliance with item III of the requirements;

III - a report describing the physical facilities and infrastructure for carrying out product, process, and service development activities to prove compliance with item IV of the requirements;

IV - an evaluation report of supported companies and supporting documents, in compliance with item VI of the requirements; and

V - declarations required at the time of accreditation, as provided in item 7 of Annex I of CAPDA/ME Resolution No. 22 of 2022.

The application will only be submitted to CAPDA’s deliberation if it complies with the accreditation criteria, even partially. During the evaluation of the accreditation request, the accelerator may be granted a non-extendable period of fifteen (15) days, from the date of notification, to supplement the documentation with the required information and materials. Failure to comply will result in the filing of the request.

Finally, the accreditation authorizations will be issued through a resolution and published in the Federal Official Gazette, with no need for other forms of disclosure.

AFTER APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST

According to Article 7 of CAPDA/ME Resolution No. 22 of 2022, after thirty-six (36) months from the approval of the accreditation request, the accelerator will undergo a performance evaluation of the conditions granted at the time of accreditation, in order to verify compliance. This evaluation will be conducted through document analysis and an on-site technical visit, during which the physical structure, personnel, accelerated companies, and executed projects will be assessed.

This evaluation will serve as a measurement indicator of the accelerator’s current stage, ultimately recommending or not the maintenance of its accreditation with CAPDA.

A POINT OF ATTENTION

It is very important that technology-based startup companies linked to the accelerators receiving funds as provided in Article 2, § 4, items IV and V, and § 18, item II, of Law No. 8,387 of 1991, remain aware that they must allow access to their facilities at any time for technical and operational inspections, providing any requested information pertinent to CAPDA’s oversight activities.

Link to the Resolution: CAPDA/ME RESOLUTION No. 22, of July 5, 2022 – Federal Official Gazette (in.gov.br)