Hotmilk is the innovation ecosystem of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), considered the most innovative university in the country.
Regarded as the primary innovation ecosystem in Paraná (and positioned among the largest in Brazil), Hotmilk operates on multiple fronts: accelerating over 100 resident startups, opening new business opportunities for 20 internal corporates, providing innovation consultancy and open innovation services, corporate education in the field of innovation, networking, and hosting a vast schedule of innovation events, with over 200 held in 2023 alone.
With the mission to develop, connect, and disseminate innovation to society at large, Hotmilk engages in everything from the production of scientific and technological knowledge through the Innovation Academy to conducting research at various stages for the productive sector, through projects and strategic partnerships between PUCPR and major companies. All of this is absorbed and shared with an average of 9,000 people who pass through the hub monthly.
This takes place within a modern physical structure spanning 11,000 m², consisting of over 200 research laboratories prepared for R&D projects, auditoriums for corporate events and networking, and over 3,000 m² equipped for the development of virtual, augmented, and 3D reality projects.
Throughout its journey, Hotmilk has accelerated over 350 startups, connected more than 3,500 startups to major companies, and facilitated over 230 business deals. To cap off 2023 on a high note, it secured the first place in the Regional Ecosystem category for Paraná in the Top Ecosystems Ranking, an award designed to highlight those that contribute the most to the growth of startups in their respective regions.
