StartupLab and HackaVitis: open innovation and technology transfer in the wine sector
Abstract
The study analyzes a set of open innovation actions promoted by the innovation environments of the Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS), in cooperation with entities, companies in the sector and the Department of Innovation, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul. The initiatives are grouped into 3 axes: StartupLab-ClickLabs, HackaVitis and Click-up. StartupLab is an open innovation program, which identifies technological challenges and demands of consolidated companies and prospect startups that can offer innovative solutions. HackaVitis is an entrepreneurship and innovation marathon (hackathon). Click-Up, a pre-incubator, i.e., environments that provide support to entrepreneurs to transform ideas into formalized businesses or to develop new business models in established companies. The initiatives work in synergy, connecting prospecting demands and searching for solutions, whether through prospecting startups or developing new solutions or new business models. In the first cycle of the program (2021-2022), companies from the region’s tourism and gastronomy sectors were approached, as well as other sectors, such as furniture and metalworking. In the second cycle, starting in 2024, partnerships are being established with wineries, including an important cooperative in the region, which has more than 1,100 producers. All these initiatives strengthen the sector’s dialogue with ICTs and demonstrate in practice how innovation can solve real problems and contribute to the competitiveness and sustainability of the Brazilian wine sector.
DOI:
Publication date: September 22, 2025
Issue: 46th World Congress of Vine and Wine
Type: Short communication
Authors
1 Postgraduate Program in Viticulture and Enology (PPGVE), Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS)
2 Click, Innovation space, Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS)
3 StartupLab Program, Department of Innovation, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul