RAIAR in Portuguese means “to shine”, and is also the name of the first innovative business support organization to be granted the EU|BIC trademark in Brazil… Actually not only in Brazil but in all of Latin America. As a matter of fact... it is the first EU|BIC in the American continent!

Raiar is located in Porto Alegre, capital of the Brazilian State Rio Grande do Sul, and, more specifically within TECNOPUC, the science park operating in symbiosis with the Pontifical Catholic University PUCRS.

The audit was held in the month of January and the BIC Quality Mark Committee (BQMC), the governing body of the EU|BIC trademark has reached its decision this week, as it found the incubator fully compliant to the EU|BIC Quality Mark Criteria.

“This is a strategic step for the growth of our network” says Philippe Vanrie, EBN’s CEO. “The sole fact that our members can count on such a serious organization, in such a new location, for partnering on strategic projects and for promoting their client companies is a terrific added value”.

RAIAR was launched in November 2003, with the objective of providing support and the necessary conditions for innovative start-ups to enter markets in a sustainable and competitive way. The Incubator also assumes the role of stimulating entrepreneurship of the academic community, housing emerging tech and innovative start-ups generated from university spin-offs.

The Incubator runs an excellent pre-incubation program, known as ‘Startup Garagem’, a space which welcomes technology and innovation-based ideas and projects. It is also an environment that accompanies entrepreneurs in stimulating and developing their ideas into full-grown businesses.

The following services are delivered: Financial support, Communication services, Design and branding, and Commercialization. Moreover, internal networking takes place on a constant basis through the organization of breakfasts and monthly events, which are extremely appreciated by all of the incubatees.

Raiar’s vision is that of being a model reference point for multi-sectorial incubators hosting technology and innovative- based start-ups as well as fostering the development of an entrepreneurial and innovative culture. It certainly paves the way for similar and neighbouring business support organisations to start weaving EBN’s entrepreneurial culture throughout Latin America!  

For more information visit RAIAR's profile.