Shark Tank Investor Highlights Potential of Ponta Grossa for Startups

The Paraná is among the Brazilian states with the greatest potential to attract investments in startups and consolidate itself as a reference in innovation. The evaluation is of the entrepreneur and investor-angel Claudia Rosa, who participated as a guest of the Shark Tank Brazil program and was in Ponta Grossa to evaluate projects of entrepreneurs in the region.

The investor participated, last Saturday (24), in an evaluation bench of the Trilhar Program, an initiative of the Innovation and Development Agency of Ponta Grossa, with activities carried out by Sebrae/PR. In all, 17 startups had the opportunity to present their proposals to experienced investors.

For Claudia, the Paraná meets favorable conditions to expand its share in the innovation market, alongside states such as São Paulo and Santa Catarina.

“Brazil has huge potential for growth in this ecosystem of innovation and startups. States like the Paraná have a concern and a purposeful agenda to leverage entrepreneurship and the potential for the state to go from three to 10 unicorns in the coming years. I believe that the Paraná will have a special highlight,” he said.

In the universe of startups, the term unicorn is used to identify private technology companies valued at at least $1 billion.

Investments in startups grow in Brazil

The Brazilian scenario also shows signs of recovery in the investment market in innovative companies.

According to a survey by Anjos do Brasil, angel investments grew 4.2% in 2025, reaching approximately R$ 919 million.

This type of investment occurs when individuals allocate own resources to businesses with growth potential, usually in the early stages, and can also contribute with experience, strategic orientation and business connections.

Despite the highlight given to the Paraná, Claudia Rosa explained that the geographical location is not the determining factor to win over investors.

Among the main criteria evaluated are the potential for business expansion, market knowledge, execution capacity and commitment of the founders.

"Investors also often analyze whether the founder is engaged and if he is 100% inserted in the operation. To be sure that he has mapped the market and understands the competition are also relevant aspects,” he explained.

The investor also highlighted that attending events, establishing contacts and presenting a consistent business plan can make a difference in the search for resources.

Ponta Grossa brings together 17 startups in evaluation with investors

The meeting held in Ponta Grossa brought together 17 startups participating in the Trilha Program. The projects were presented to a bank composed of Claudia Rosa, Rafael Althaus and Caroline Gurski.

The initiative seeks to bring entrepreneurs closer to investors and create opportunities for innovative ideas to advance to market consolidation.

According to Tônia Mansani, president of the Innovation and Development Agency of Ponta Grossa and municipal secretary of Industry, Trade and Professional Qualification, the program was developed to meet an identified need in the Valley of the Rails, the innovation ecosystem of the municipality.

"There are ideas, announcements, incubators and investors, but there was a structured path linking these points. A lot of people have an idea and don’t know how to make it testable. Others already have a working product and do not know how to get to an incubator, a notice or an investor," he explained.

The Trilha Program has two development modalities:

Express Startup: aimed at entrepreneurs who need to turn ideas into business models and validate their solutions.

Startup platform: intended for those who already have a minimum viable product (MVP) and want to move forward to incubation, growth or investment.

The steps can be carried out separately or in sequence, depending on the stage of development of the enterprise.

In the first editions, the program is funded by a partnership between the Innovation and Development Agency of Ponta Grossa and the State Secretariat for Innovation and Artificial Intelligence of Paraná (SEIA).

Startup of Ponta Grossa presents solution for recycling

Among the participating entrepreneurs was Leonardo Garbuio Cavalheiro, responsible for EcoNota, a startup that develops a technological solution to connect companies to recycling cooperatives.

The project aims to facilitate the collection of waste, allow the tracking of materials and offer mechanisms to prove the environmentally appropriate destination.

For Leonardo, presenting the proposal to experienced investors was an opportunity for learning and business maturity.

"It was a very important opportunity, mainly because I was able to present a business idea to people who have real experience in the startup and investment market," he said.

The entrepreneur also stressed that such initiatives encourage new entrepreneurs to put their projects into practice.

“We don’t have to wait years to start. We need to start, learn, validate our ideas and have the courage to seek opportunities.”

Ponta Grossa investors highlight importance of ecosystem

Another member of the bank was Rafael Althaus, founder of Laon Ventures, a company created in 2025 and headquartered in Ponta Grossa.

With experience in the development of startups, he stressed that bringing entrepreneurs closer to the investment market is fundamental to strengthen the innovation environment of the city.

“Giving visibility to startups is opening doors for entrepreneurs who often have excellent solutions, but do not yet have the experience, connections or resources necessary to take them to the next level,” he said.

Caroline Gurski, vice president of WIM Angels (Women Investment Movement), an investment-angel network focused on female entrepreneurship and technological innovation.

With nearly five years of industry experience and contact with more than 500 startups, Caroline drew attention to the low participation of women in leading innovative companies.

According to her, this representativeness is between 19% and 23%, highlighting the need to expand opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors.

“It is important that there are actions that encourage the participation of more women in the field of technology, both as entrepreneurs and angel investors,” he said.

Sebrae offers support to turn ideas into business

Sebrae/PR works in preparing entrepreneurs for different phases of startup development, from the creation and validation of ideas to the financial structuring and the search for investments.

Among the initiatives offered are Sebrae Startups and Entrepreneurial Capital, with trainings, consulting, mentoring, preparation of business presentations, evaluation of companies and approach with investors.

The consultant Thaise Amaral, from Sebrae/PR, explained that the goal is to increase the maturity of the business and prepare its founders for more structured negotiations.

“The aim is to foster the creation of startups, increase maturity and prepare the entrepreneur to identify the best source of capital, present his business and negotiate with more security,” he explained.

She stressed, however, that participating in the programs does not represent an investment guarantee, since the decision depends exclusively on the analysis of investors.

With initiatives such as the Trilha Program and the strengthening of the Valley of the Rails, Ponta Grossa seeks to expand opportunities for local entrepreneurs and gain space in the Paraná scenario of innovation and technology.