The second edition of the Entrepreneur's Help Desk gains a dedicated space and reinforces support for small business owners within the event.
The South Summit Brazil expands its social impact agenda by consolidating initiatives focused on inclusion through innovation. In partnership with the Government of the State of Rio Grande do Sul and the City Hall, the event develops and supports programs that connect young people, students, and entrepreneurs to the innovation ecosystem, focusing on training and income generation.
HackaPoa 2026. South Summit Brazil Press Release
This progress is driven by the Social Impact Committee of South Summit Brazil, which operates continuously throughout the year, structuring initiatives based on the concept of innovation with purpose. In four years, the results total more than 50 actions in six regions of the state, benefiting more than 12,000 people.
Among the Committee's standout programs is the Entrepreneur's Help Desk, which will enter its second edition in 2026 with even greater prominence in the programming, reinforcing the event's commitment to inclusion and the generation of opportunities.
Entrepreneur's Help Desk
In its second edition, the Entrepreneur's Help Desk becomes a physical part of the event, with an exclusive and dedicated space at Cais Mauá, and consolidates itself as one of the main productive inclusion initiatives of the South Summit Brazil.
On March 27th, the Entrepreneur's Help Desk will bring together 70 entrepreneurs selected from initiatives such as Innovative Territories and HackaPoa, to offer personalized support focused on the development of their businesses.
Participants will have access to financial solutions, mentoring, strategic guidance, and investment opportunities, with support from specialized partners prepared to understand the different stages and challenges of each venture. The initiative also guarantees social tickets for entrepreneurs, expanding access to the event and enhancing networking opportunities.
“We believe that true innovation only happens when we include everyone in the game. The Entrepreneur's Help Desk demonstrates exactly that. When we connect people from different backgrounds to the business environment, we not only develop companies, but we also develop society. And that's how the ecosystem becomes stronger, more diverse, and better prepared for the future,” says José Renato Hopf, president of South Summit Brazil.
The space will feature infrastructure for simultaneous service distributed across service desks and will bring together institutions such as Banrisul, Instituto Helda Gerdau/Semente, the City Hall of Porto Alegre, Sebrae, Instituto Vaquinha, and the Public Prosecutor's Office, all focused on the commitment to providing local economic development and generating concrete opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Social Impact Initiatives
In addition to the Entrepreneur's Help Desk, South Summit Brazil supports a series of initiatives that broaden the event's social reach and reinforce its role as a platform for transformation. Among them, the South Generation, The event, now in its fourth edition, is geared towards students, offering young people from the public school system interactive experiences and training in entrepreneurial culture, robotics, and innovation. The initiative brought together more than 2,000 young people in its last edition and contributes to strengthening the formative character of the event, expanding access to the ecosystem for new generations.
This agenda also includes Hackathon, a project by the Department of Education that promotes an innovation marathon with students from the state public school system, encouraging the development of solutions and skills essential for the future.
The agenda also includes the Meetup. Women in Technology, an initiative aimed at promoting female leadership in the sector, connecting women from different backgrounds to discuss innovation and expand career opportunities. As for She Leads Startups 2026 It promotes business networking opportunities between female entrepreneurs and investors, strengthening the female presence in the ecosystem.
Other highlights include Creative Entrepreneurial Cycle, which offers free training for entrepreneurs in the food and crafts sectors, focusing on management, marketing, and business sustainability, and the program AI & Employability, which prepares public school students for the challenges of the digital economy, with hands-on experience at the event for the most outstanding participants.
The project Creative RS This agenda is complemented by empowering entrepreneurs from marginalized communities, encouraging the development of businesses in the creative economy with the potential for social impact and income generation.
“We want to further expand our connection with entrepreneurs in Rio Grande do Sul, bringing these businesses closer to the opportunities that the South Summit Brazil provides. We believe that by strengthening local entrepreneurs, we contribute directly to the economic development of the state and the growth of the country,” concludes Hopf.
The Social Impact Committee of South Summit Brazil has the support of BRDE, Instituto Lins Ferrão, Aeromot, and Sinduscon, which contribute to enabling initiatives aimed at inclusion and generating opportunities in different regions of Rio Grande do Sul.
The South Summit Brazil is co-organized by the Government of the State of Rio Grande do Sul and IE University, and has global sponsorship from the City Hall of Porto Alegre, Banco do Brasil, SEBRAE, and FIERGS.
About South Summit Brazil
A global meeting point for business connections between investment funds, companies, and startups, the South Summit Brazil was brought to the country by the Government of the State of Rio Grande do Sul and has already held four successful editions in Porto Alegre since 2022. Created in Madrid 14 years ago, the event has generated over US$17 billion in investments raised by startups through the Startup Competition. In 2025, the Brazilian edition brought together 23,000 participants from 62 countries, including 900 investors and 140 funds, with over US$215 billion under management. The event hosted more than 3,000 startups and 800 speakers. Focusing on innovation, sustainability, and business generation, the South Summit Brazil will return to Porto Alegre between March 25 and 27, 2026 for its fifth edition.
